Welcome to The Leadership Rx for Women Physicians! In this episode, Dr. Asha Padmanabhan tackles one of the most emotionally draining patterns that keeps women physicians stuck: the guilt-resentment cycle.

If you’ve ever said yes out of guilt, only to end up feeling resentful toward the person you helped, the situation, or even yourself, you’re not alone. This exhausting loop leaves us emotionally drained and overcommitted.

Dr. Padmanabhan breaks down the three stages of the guilt-resentment cycle and offers the first steps toward breaking free. This episode will help you recognize guilt as a signal, not a directive, and reclaim control over your boundaries.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. What the guilt-resentment cycle is and why it keeps you stuck.
2. The three stages of the cycle: guilt, resentment, and repeating the loop.
3. How guilt often masquerades as a sign to say yes, when it’s actually a cue to pause and reevaluate.
4. How breaking this cycle starts with recognizing and addressing guilt, not suppressing it.

Key Moments in the Episode:

• [0:00] Introduction: Recap of previous episodes and today’s topic.
• [2:00] A personal story about overcommitting out of guilt and the resentment that followed.
• [4:30] Stage 1: Guilt as a motivator—why we feel obligated to say yes.
• [6:00] Stage 2: Resentment builds—how overcommitting affects your mood and relationships.
• [8:30] Stage 3: Repeating the cycle—why guilt and resentment feed each other.
• [11:00] Breaking the cycle: The first step toward setting guilt-free boundaries.
• [12:00] Closing thoughts and invitation to the webinar.

Related Resources:

📅 Register for the free webinar, Master the Art of Saying No – How to Set Boundaries Without Guilt:
https://asha-padmanabhan.mykajabi.com/mastering-the-art-of-saying-no-LRX

Connect with Dr. Asha Padmanabhan:

🌐 Website: www.theleadershiprx.com
📝 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asha.padmanabhan.9
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.md/
💼 LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/ashapadmanabhan

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