Life’s challenges often leave us stuck in negative thought cycles, feeling overwhelmed, tired, and tense. Thoughts like, “I’m working but not getting much done,” or “I’m tense all the time; I need to relax,” reflect a common struggle. The STOP practice—Suspend, Tune-In, Opt, Proceed—is a simple yet powerful tool for breaking these cycles and regaining control.
How STOP Works
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- SUSPEND: Pause the moment you notice a negative thought or impulse. This intentional pause interrupts automatic reactions and creates space to choose a better response.
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- TUNE-IN: Check in with yourself. What are you thinking, feeling, or experiencing? Observe your inner state without judgment, building clarity and self-awareness.
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- OPT: Choose an empowering response. Reframe your perspective, practice gratitude, or opt for an action that aligns with your well-being.
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- PROCEED: Move forward intentionally. Carry out your chosen action with clarity, restoring balance and staying aligned with your values.
Why It Works
Many people fear slowing down, thinking, “If I stop and think, I’ll cry,” or “I don’t want to face my emotions.” Yet ignoring these feelings often leads to burnout or a sense of being stuck. STOP helps redirect that energy into productive momentum, even when life feels overwhelming.
For coaching clients, this practice is invaluable for staying focused on what matters, avoiding rambling, and aligning with personal growth goals.
Start Today
Think about the weight you carry in your everyday life. Deadlines, tasks, burdens….releasing the weight is about shedding stress, shame, sabotage, burnout, people-pleasing, and emotional exhaustion. To help you to reset and release the weight we have a free Release the Weight audio meditation for you to download and practice with as much as you like. Complete your details below to get the free audio file.
The Bottom Line
Change can be intimidating, but tools like STOP make it possible to shift your mindset and move forward with purpose. At KEY Coaching & Consulting, we guide you to take control, step by step.
Take a deep breath. Suspend. Tune-In. Opt. Proceed. Your growth begins here.
