“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” — Often attributed to Viktor Frankl
I recently spent time in Iceland, where I fell in love with its cornerstone tradition of thermal hot spas, saunas and icy cold plunges. At first, it felt like a challenge, something to endure and conquer. But over the course of the trip, and as I continued the habit after coming home, it became something entirely different.
It became a practice.
Every time I stepped into the heat or lowered myself into the freezing water, my body wanted to react. Hold my breath. Jump out. But when I stayed, slowed my breathing and let my nervous system settle, I discovered something unexpected. There was a moment, a small but powerful space to explore, between what I was experiencing and how I chose to respond.
I’ve realized that same space exists in leadership.
When I’m overwhelmed, my instinct is often to freeze. My creative thinking disappears, and problems can feel bigger than they are. For years, I understood the concept of responding instead of reacting. I believed I was practicing it. But experiencing it physically gave me a deeper understanding. It wasn’t just an idea anymore; it became a habit.
That habit recently showed up in a leadership meeting.
Our team was discussing several unexpected challenges that will require thoughtful solutions over the coming months. As we talked, the weight of everything ahead began to feel heavy. My ideas felt shallow and limited, and I could feel myself slipping into that familiar place of overwhelm.
Then I remembered the sauna-to-cold plunge.
Pause.
Breathe.
Create a little space before responding.
Instead of forcing an answer I wasn’t ready to give, I spoke up. “I’d really like to take a few days to think more deeply about this before we decide on a direction. Could we each spend some time developing ideas and come back together next week?”
The team agreed.
What could have become a reactive conversation became a more thoughtful one — not because we had immediate answers, but because we gave ourselves permission to create space before expecting solutions.
I’ve carried this practice beyond the office and into my family, friendships and everyday interactions. I’m learning to give myself grace when challenges arise, rather than demanding instant clarity. Just as importantly, I’m learning to give others that same grace.
Leadership often celebrates quick decisions, but some of our best decisions aren’t the fastest; they’re the most intentional.
Those wise words remind us that growth happens as we discover and expand the space between stimulus and response. I’ve discovered that sometimes creating that space is as simple as taking one deep breath, waiting one more moment or asking for one more day.
Those small pauses are becoming some of the most powerful leadership tools I own.
About Cathy Holt, Development Director, The Other Side
Cathy Holt joined The Other Side in August 2020 as the Development Director, overseeing fundraising and development efforts for The Other Side Academy in Salt Lake City and Denver, as well as The Other Side Village. A Utah native and graduate of the University of Utah, Cathy spent 17 years in the San Francisco Bay Area raising her three sons before returning home, drawn back by her love for family and the outdoors.
With a strong background in financial and project management, grant writing, and donor relations, Cathy is an experienced and highly skilled development professional. She has successfully secured millions of dollars in philanthropic support from private donors, foundations, corporations, and government entities at the local, state, and federal levels. Her expertise in nonprofit fundraising and development spans organizations with budgets ranging from two to twenty-five million dollars annually. Cathy is deeply committed to building meaningful relationships with individuals and organizations, ensuring sustainable funding and resources for transformative programs.
Her decision to join The Other Side was fueled by a personal connection to its mission—her own family’s history of substance abuse and her passion for creating inclusive, equitable, and accessible opportunities for those in need. She is a dedicated community builder who believes in the power of second chances and the strength that comes from diversity.
Cathy takes pride in fostering partnerships that not only support critical programs but also uplift individuals who have been marginalized. She is inspired daily by the students, staff, and board members at The Other Side, a community that welcomes individuals from all walks of life—including those struggling with addiction, incarceration and homelessness.. She firmly believes in the organization’s mission to transform lives through accountability, integrity, and meaningful connection.
“The Other Side’s students, staff, and board are the most diverse group I’ve ever had the honor to work alongside, and we are stronger because of those differences. Our doors are open to those society often overlooks—the homeless, the addict, the criminal. Here, we forge new lives built on honesty and integrity. I’m grateful to play even a small part in creating the context where these life-changing transformations take place. These are my people, and I am honored to be part of this incredible community.”
*Any reference obtained from this blog to a specific initiative, issue or topic does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the Salt Lake Chamber. The views and opinions expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect those of the Salt Lake Chamber.
