Listen to this episode
On this episode
Saying no and setting boundaries is difficult for anyone, let alone those in the medical field. Often, the problem isn’t whether others give us permission to say no; it’s the pressure we put on ourselves to deliver.
The reality is that we’re in control of our choices, and we need to give ourselves permission to say no and align our actions with what truly matters to us. By setting boundaries and being honest about our priorities, we can avoid the stress and shame that come from ignoring our values.
Ask yourself these two questions:
- Is there a really good reason for saying yes in this situation?
- Is this more important to me than my core values?
Using these questions, we can weigh our decisions and act in a way that aligns with what matters most.
When we act against our core values, we risk feeling shame and frustration. This creates guilt and leaves us stuck in a cycle of overwork and stress – and we can even start resenting ourselves for not standing up for what’s important to us.
This quick dip is an invitation for you to say no to one thing you know isn’t aligned with your priorities. Even if it feels uncomfortable in the moment, it’ll help you build confidence and stay true to what really matters.
Show links
More episodes of You Are Not a Frog:
- How to Challenge Upsetting Behaviour – Episode 192, with Dr Chris Turner
- How Do You Say No When Someone Might Die? – Episode 193
- How to Escape the Urgency Trap – Episode 135
Reasons to listen
- To learn how internal pressure can hinder your ability to set boundaries and say no
- To understand the impact of cognitive dissonance on your personal values and decision-making
- For practical strategies on overcoming the urgency trap and aligning actions with priorities
Episode highlights
You have permission
If I don’t do it, no-one will
No-one else can stop you saying no
Saying no protects us from shame and guilt
Inverse power mantra
Discomfort is better than resentment
Episode transcript
[00:00:00] Rachel: Last week I was in the middle of a really important podcast interview when my phone rang. You know when your phone goes in the middle of an important meeting or while you’re doing a presentation and you just want the ground to eat you up because you’ve asked everyone else to turn their phones off? [00:00:13] Rachel: Anyway, I answered it because I saw it was my son, and the day before, he’d got a nasty head injury playing rugby. He’d been okay in the morning and gone to school, but this time he was saying, mom,…
