Corporate treasurers underappreciate the need to take frequent breaks from the hectic grind to ponder the bigger picture and recharge, according to CapitalBridge Advisory’s Kammy Tsang, who endorses the idea as the “power of pause” to refresh physically and mentally.

“In treasury, speed often feels like the measure of success: faster settlements, real-time payments, instant insights. Yet paradoxically, the most impactful decisions come from doing less, not more,” says Tsang, who heads global cash management at PayPal.

Tsang urges treasurers to clear intervals of work time, putting aside the numbers and reviews and instead allowing some “blank space”. That can be “the moment your mind clears, your focus resets, and you feel fully recharged. It’s not just downtime; it’s where reflection, creativity and energy converge.”

She compares the resumption of the treasury task to the effect of a measured pause in a music piece. The notes that follow “resonate more deeply” and pack more power.

“In life, work and treasury, the pause makes the action that follows more meaningful,” Tsang suggests.

Occupational health experts endorse this type of respite. Kansas-based WorkSafe urges digital workers to embrace “micro-breaks”, a habit that “increases the flow of oxygen to the brain, which can enhance cognitive function.”

Therefore, “you return to tasks with renewed focus and creativity,” WorkSafe therapists write.

Tsang encourages treasurers to consider three “levels of pause”, each offering special benefits:

1. Reconnect with Why

“Task-driven execution without reflection turns us into machines,” Tsang argues. “The first level of pause is stepping back to ask why.”

Why this payment? Why this strategy? Why now?

“In treasury, this is critical,” Tsang notes. Consider the liquidity gap, or the difference between cash inflows and outflows.

“The all-in cost of funding isn’t just the interest rate. It’s also operational effort, timing, and opportunity cost,” she adds. “Act without reflection, and you can inadvertently become a liquidity provider at a higher cost than needed.”

2. Deep downtime

This stage represents “moments where you fully disconnect from work,” Tsang says. “Hobbies that demand your complete focus – playing an instrument, painting, sports, gardening – let your mind forget daily concerns. … When you return to work, your ideas, energy and creativity are amplified.”

Tsang emphasises that “sleep is vital” and how you approach your waking hours can impact sleep hours.

“How to achieve deep rest is tied to what you do, or not do, during the day. True focus comes from unstructured downtime during the day,” she explains.

For desk workers, the University of Wisconsin’s Integrated Health programme suggests a break every 30 minutes.

“Take a moment for mindful awareness,” the university researchers suggest. “Go outdoors or walk to a break room. Leave your desk for a change in scenery … even if just for a few minutes.”

True vacations are important too, especially if they offer positive experiences usually unattainable otherwise and the “person lets go of job demands and truly detaches from the stresses of daily life,” the Wisconsin workplace health researchers add.

All types of disconnection help you return to work in a “refreshed state”, according to Tsang.

“In treasury, some of the best insights on real-time payments, stablecoins, or liquidity management emerge after stepping away from screens and dashboards,” she contends.

3. Active listening

Tsang’s third suggestion relates to verbal conversations. Nowadays people in a discussion fail to listen to the other person for the purpose of understanding what the counterpart is saying. Instead, people plan what to say next.

“After someone speaks, pause for three seconds before responding. This intentional silence signals that you are fully listening and allows you to process information thoughtfully,” Tsang urges. “In corporate, this can transform meetings – whether negotiating a funding arrangement, discussing stablecoin strategy, or coordinating liquidity positions. … You are fully present, absorbing, and ready to act with clarity and purpose.”