Faced with a difficult situation, we often ask the question “should I stay or should I go?” It could be about work, a relationship, or something more personal. We all face this question at various times in our life, and it can be overwhelming to make a choice when we’re scared of the unknown.

This week, we’re revisiting a discussion with Corrina Gordon-Barnes, about how to tackle the decision-making process. Instead of relying on traditional methods like pros and cons lists or seeking advice from others, Corrina suggests a different approach, which involves noticing the difference between facts and thoughts, and recognising when we have the power to leave rather than simply tough it out.

When we keep ourselves trapped in the limbo of indecision, when we’re neither fully committed nor able to make a decisive choice, this can leave us frustrated and angry. Those frustrations can boil over into our home and work lives, or make an uncomfortable situation even worse.

But by taking a moment to reflect on our current situation, we can start the process of questioning and gaining clarity, therefore revealing the choices we do have.

Listen to this episode to

• Learn how to make difficult decisions when facing a dilemma of staying or leaving a situation, whether it's work, relationships, or friendships
• Understand the importance of questioning your thoughts and beliefs that may be causing stress and hindering decision-making
• Discover a fresh perspective on decision-making and a simple technique to gain clarity and make informed choices

Episode highlights

• [00:04:13] The importance of belonging
• [00:06:42] Making a difficult decision
• [00:13:31] Separating fact from thought
• [00:16:26] Counteracting the "That's just the way it is" story
• [00:21:57] Questioning your stories
• [00:28:58] Acceptance
• [00:33:05] Shoulds
• [00:35:36] You have a choice
• [00:44:33] What are the consequences of not doing what we "ought"?
• [00:49:03] Corrina's top 3 tips

About the guest

Dr Corrina Gordon-Barnes, CPCC, coaches new managers in time management and giving effective feedback. She’s passionate about seeing workplaces where colleagues speak honestly, give and receive feedback gracefully, and act with integrity. She believes these environments make it much easier to be innovative and effective, hit deadlines, and create the most powerful impact.

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Resources

• THRIVE Weekly Planner
• Download the Zone of Power handout
• More episodes of You Are Not a Frog:
• How to take control of your thoughts – Episode 32, with Corrina Gordon-Barnes
• Download the episode’s workbook and CPD form. You can use them for reflection and to submit for your appraisal.
• The Work of Byron Katie

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Connect with Rachel

Have any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:

• LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris
• Twitter: @DrRachelMorris
• Email: [email protected]

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