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On this episode
We’ve all experienced times when we know something’s wrong, but we avoid dealing with it. Whether it’s a job, relationship, or just a general sense of unease, we make small adjustments hoping it’ll fix itself. But this rarely solves the problem.
In this quick dip, Rachel sets out the importance of identifying the real issue and addressing it head-on. This means paying attention to the signs and being honest with ourselves, slowing down and taking a moment to really think about what’s bothering us.
It starts with acknowledging our feelings and paying attention to those nagging thoughts, even if they wake us up at night. Then, talking them over with a trusted friend or writing those thoughts down to get clarity.
Avoiding the stone in your shoe – or in Rachel’s case, the plastic – won’t make it go away. These nagging problems in our heads can lead to anxiety and resentment, or a feeling that we’re stuck in a situation that isn’t serving us, which just compounds the frustration.
But by taking a moment to pause, reflecting on what’s really happening in our life, and writing down what’s on our mind, we begin to take control and pave the way for lasting positive change.
Show links
On Tuesday 17th September join Rachel for “Escape The Urgency Trap”, a free 60-minute webinar to help you get your to-do list back under control. Click here to register and receive a recording of the session if you can’t make it live.
More episodes of You Are Not a Frog:
- Life’s Too Short NOT to Love What You Do – Episode 209, with Dr Sarah Goulding
- How to Stop Making Decisions Based on Fear – Episode 162, Henri Stevenson
- How to Change Your Life in 12 Minutes Per Week – Episode 156, with Robbie Swale
Download the episode’s podsheet. You can use it for reflection and to submit for your appraisal as part of your CPD.
Reasons to listen
- To discover strategies to address and overcome personal and professional challenges that might be causing discomfort
- To learn how the sunk cost fallacy and confirmation bias affects decision-making, and how to overcome them
- To understand the importance of vulnerability and honesty in recognising and resolving issues to improve wellbeing and relationships
Episode highlights
When something isn’t right
Stuck in a role that’s not working
Just too hard to remove
Choosing to be confused
Sunk cost bias
Confirmation bias
Motivated reasoning
When you just can’t face it
It’s OK to change your mind
Slow down
What’s the differential diagnosis?
Episode transcript
[00:00:00] Rachel: I want to talk to you today about those times when you know that there’s something wrong, but you do anything to avoid, really dealing with them. So a while back I was at the airport dropping one of my family off for their travels, and I just bought this really nice pair of trainers. I was really pleased with them. They’re incredibly comfortable. [00:00:21] But a few days before I’d noticed that as I was walking along, on the right foot. It was digging in a little bit, just over the top of my foot and I…