24. On Cutting Back on Demands & Expectations with Kathy Oneto (A Summer Solo Episode)
Overview
In this solo episode, I offer 3 challenges to help you cut back on demands and expectations so you can create more space in your life for summer and going forward.
I read an article on burnout from The Economist’s 1843 magazine by Josh Cohen who is a psychoanalyst, academic, and writer. And he had this to say at the end, “Burnout is not simply a symptom of working too hard. It is also the body and mind crying out for an essential human need: a space free from the incessant demands and expectations of the world…. The amelioration of burnout begins in finding your own pool of tranquility where you can cool off.”
So, the intent of this episode is to help us find that pool of tranquility Cohen describes, which is perfect for this overly hot summer. How do we allow ourselves to cool off, as he notes? How do we cut down on all the demands and expectations of the world?
Try these challenges to help.
Topics Covered
In this solo episode, Kathy offers 3 challenges to help you take things down a notch and cut back on demands and expectations.
The 3 challenges are:
Don’t do it all and simplify your life. What’s at least 1 thing you’re going to cut from your list. Now if I were really challenging you, I’d ask you to cut at least 25% of tasks from your list. But you counter-offer and choose what number or percent you’ll cut.
Reset your expectations. Cut a SHOULD DO (an expectation) and add a GET TO DO to your action item list to help build up your resilience stores.
Lower your expectations. What are you going to allow yourself to let go, not be good at, and not strive for or be excellent at?
Listen in for more prompts to create more space and find your pool of tranquility. Here’s to cooling off for the remainder of the summer!
Resources Mentioned
“Minds turned to ash,” by Josh Cohen , 1843 Magazine, https://www.economist.com/1843/2016/06/29/minds-turned-to-ash
“Feel free to stop striving: learn to relish being an amateur” by Xenia Hanusiak, Psyche, https://psyche.co/ideas/feel-free-to-stop-striving-learn-to-relish-being-an-amateur
“Physician Wellness Doesn't Mean More Yoga: A different path to happiness, no leggings required,” by Amy Barnhorst MD, Psychology Today, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-crisis/201810/physician-wellness-doesnt-mean-more-yoga
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24. On Cutting Back on Demands & Expectations with Kathy Oneto (A Summer Solo Episode)
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