The Power Pause

On 10 October, CNN Türk news anchor Burak Törün and I were at a conference as guests of the Marmara Üniversitesi Econometrics Club. After my presentation on entrepreneurship, I had the chance to watch him speak for the first time.

What caught everyone’s attention in particular was a technique he talked about, which he calls the Power Pause. Taken from John Harricharan’s book of the same name, the Power Pause is something he apparently does before every situation in which he wants to succeed. Before important moments, when he is nervous, when he is anxious about doing well… He strongly recommended it to the students, too, before interviews, exams and asking someone out (!).

The Power Pause consists of three stages over three minutes.

Minute 1: A Happy Moment

Think only of something lovely, something that makes you happy: a wonderful holiday memory, a picture you love on your wall, your happiest moment with your partner… But you need to think of it as though it were happening right now.

Minute 2: Acting “As If”

We have been through the event. It went wonderfully. Imagine it has already happened and feel the emotions of that moment. Everything was wonderful and everyone is congratulating you; some are ringing, some are coming up to you and congratulating you. You were incredibly successful.

Minute 3: Gratitude

We give thanks for this very moment. It is a wonderful moment, right now. We are proud of ourselves for being where we are. And we are ready!

You need to put good things into your mind. The mind will then set to work to make them real.