When Solid Plans Start to Slip
At the beginning of 2025, I had a solid plan: I was going to build my own coaching business while working full-time. I mapped out the steps and timeline carefully and decided it’d be good to go in four months. But a few weeks in, I was already feeling overwhelmed, which bothered me. How could I burn out so quickly? Having felt like I hit a wall, I pushed harder.
But the more I pushed, the more I got stuck.
My plan started to feel less like a roadmap and more like quicksand.
I had to accomplish the next steps – get another certification, learn this new tool, and try that new framework. Otherwise, it felt as if I wasn’t going to begin my entrepreneurship journey at all.
I was bound by an anchor problem where I believed my only path forward would be to pass each milestone according to my “perfect” timeline.
Then a coach friend asked me a simple question: “Do you really need that certification to get started? What other skills and tools do you already have that can help you move forward?”
The question revealed what I didn’t want to face: my fears, my imposter syndrome, and all the other ways I got in my own way.
The Power of a Mindful Pause
So, I did something different.
I hit “pause.”
I reflected on my energy to identify what was off balance in my life. I was trying to move fast without checking in with myself. My actions were scattered, not intentional. That’s when mindfulness became not just a practice, but a design tool.
Instead of pushing harder, I turned inward:
- I mind-mapped every idea and fear on a giant Post-It
- I connected with other entrepreneurs on a similar journey
- I tracked what energized me vs. what drained me
- I gave myself permission to experiment instead of figuring it all out
- I stretched my timeline to a more realistic frame
- I let myself enjoy the process instead of rushing toward the outcome
That pause wasn’t about quitting. It was about creating space to listen to my body, mind, and soul.
It was about tuning into my energy, unpacking what was holding me back, and slowing down. That’s when I realized my challenge didn’t have a single “right” solution. Stepping back allowed me to shift my mindset, reframe the problem, and explore multiple ways forward, paths I couldn’t have even considered because I was too busy rushing myself to the finish line.
Mindfulness as a Business Design Tool
As someone who has moved between countries, changed careers, and shifted roles, I have learned that change is rarely linear. Change is not always planned. Change can be unexpected. What has helped me stay grounded through it all is paying attention without judgment.
Mindfulness, at its core, is about noticing.
Noticing when my shoulders tense up. When my focus drifts. When excitement turns into dread. In those moments, I listen to those signs, and I ask myself questions:
- What is one thing that can help me shift my mindset or energy today?
- What is an area that feels overwhelming in my journey? Can I do it differently?
- What energizes or motivates me this week?
- What thoughts or actions keep me stuck or make me procrastinate?
- Where do I need more balance in my life right now? What do I need to achieve it?
These questions often help me move from autopilot to awareness.
Awareness is often all it takes to shift from feeling overwhelmed to clarity.
Aligning Energy With Purpose
My initial idea to support others through career and life transitions has grown into a more focused approach, one that draws on my natural strengths and the tools I have developed along the way.
As I continue to experiment with curiosity, I realize I’m not just building a business. I’m designing a life that truly reflects my values and passion.
For me, success no longer means executing the plan perfectly. It means aligning my energy with purpose.
Even if that means stretching deadlines, shuffling the to-do list, taking a long walk, or prioritizing nap time.
Designing your life isn’t about optimizing every minute.
It’s about intentionally shaping the flow between doing and being, finding the balance between hustle and harmony.
Your Next Step: Pause, Notice, Design
The most creative and courageous thing I’ve learned to do is to pause to create space for something new to emerge.
If you find yourself feeling stuck or overwhelmed, try this:
- Pause before you push.
- Listen before you plan.
- Prioritize progress over perfection.
- Celebrate every move.
- Remember your why.
You might be surprised by what you notice when you let yourself slow down.
The pause you’re skipping could be the beginning of your next great design.
Written By : Esra Uzun Mason
