Beyond Neutral

This podcast is all about what it takes to get beyond neutral – out of that space so you can drive forward to where you want to be. Moving forward in our careers, in our leadership, relationships, or life phases can require new ways of thinking or being, to realize what you want to achieve.

Give yourself the gift of reflection and planning 12/18/2024

A Big Question To Ask Yourself & Season Two Finale! 05/01/2024

A Big Question To Ask Yourself & Season Two Finale! In this Season 2 wrap-up, Paula takes a moment to reflect on some of her favorite and most popular episodes, such as "Ep. 16: Unpacking Agency," "Ep. 19: Three Step Process to Stop Ruminating" and "Ep. 26: Do An Expectations Audit." As Paula prepares for her summer activities, a time she usually spends reflecting, reading, and planning for the future, she had a thought-provoking conversation with a friend that led to a deeper question. The question she poses to herself and her listeners is: What do you want your contribution to be? Consider this question in any given moment—how do you want to contribute to your relationships? Do you aim to offer grace, understanding, or judgment? What about in your work or within your family dynamics? Is your current contribution aligned with your intentions? As she concludes Season 2, Paula leaves us pondering this question: What do you want your contribution to be, both in the short term and long term? Sometimes our contribution involves giving space—space for others to grow. And sometimes, the most meaningful contribution is choosing not to intervene. 🎧 Show Notes: reidnco.com/podcast 🔗Website: reidnco.com Time Stamps: [00:01:52] "And so just becoming incredibly aware of the emotions that we're experiencing and the power that they have. Both the wonderful positive power that they have, as well as how they can, you know, create situations where we get stuck in fear or we ruminate and how to get ourselves out of that." [00:03:45] "moment that we might be involved in in our lives. It can be around our jobs. It can be about a greater cause. It could be a question that you ask yourself in relationship. What do you want to contribute? What do you want to contribute in the moment? What do you want to contribute in the bigger picture?" [00:06:28] "So that has been my contribution through this podcast, or that's what I've wanted my contribution to be through this podcast. But now I want to ask that question in a very different way in very different, very specific situations that I'm in and have that on the forefront of my mind when I'm in a situation." /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/31042568

Understanding Stress Signals and Self-Soothing Strategies 04/17/2024

4 Ways to Cultivate Abundance 04/10/2024

4 Ways to Cultivate Abundance Paula wants us to know that the abundance mindset is not about pie-eyed optimism. It is about how we approach a problem, and if we immediately go to a scarcity mindset, this can condition our thinking. We all have a tendency to jump into certain patterns of thinking, even if we consider ourselves very positive people. In this episode, Paula shares a personal story about packing her daughter's car for a move and how her daughter's reminder to adopt an abundance mindset was the catalyst to start focusing on her own patterns of thinking. Despite her optimistic nature, Paula caught herself slipping into scarcity thinking, which shifted her focus to actively choosing the abundance mindset. Listen in to learn four ways we can cultivate an abundance mindset in our lives, (and why it matters)! 🎧 Show Notes: reidnco.com/podcast 🔗Website: reidnco.com Time Stamps: [00:03:30] Abundance mindset. And I'm like, Oh, geez, you're right. You know, and by the way, it all fit and it fit fine, but it was an example of seeing a situation, right? And rather than looking at it and saying, okay, wow, we're going to have to get creative about how we think about this, or let's figure out, what the most efficient way to plan this out is rather than going to that and going to approaching a problem from a perspective of possibility. I [00:04:00] immediately approached a problem from the perspective of scarcity, and I am an optimistic person. So I really started observing this, not only in myself, but in other people [00:06:13] There's 12 of us. We just cut them small and we'll each get a taste of this fantastic pie abundance, right? It's focusing on what you actually have. Not on what you're missing extremely important nuance, and one that can be very valuable. So how does that show up sometimes? And what's the impact of that? It shows up in a couple of ways. And I've been watching it show up recently. I mentioned my own situation, but where I've also been watching that show up a little bit more. Is, in a couple of coaching situations that I have in a couple of search situations, job search. I see it a lot. [00:14:46] Okay. So start training yourself to be more expansive about possibilities. And start thinking from a, it's possible. I think that what happens to us as we go through life is, life kind of takes over and you start, and I do think aging does this also. You start thinking from a risk perspective, start thinking from a possibility perspective. /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/30755293

Challenging Your Inner Narratives for True Transformation 04/03/2024

Challenging Your Inner Narratives for True Transformation Have you been telling yourself a certain story about who you are and what you're capable of? We all have an inner narrative that can hinder our ability to transform. This inner voice is not necessarily ever going to go away, but breaking free from its assumptions is possible. In a recent discussion, Paula and Mike Rataczak reflected on their latest episode, "#33: Trusting Your Instincts Through Transformations," and shared a powerful message. Mike urges listeners not to avoid confronting their inner voice, which can be both loud and limiting. Paula offers her insights on tackling these internal narratives. So, if you're seeking inspiration to make significant changes in your life or simply to explore new skills or hobbies, tune in to gain the motivation to challenge yourself, regardless of what your inner voice may say about you. 🎧 Show Notes: reidnco.com/podcast 🔗Website: reidnco.com Time Stamps: [00:01:46]: Introduction to the challenge of changing the internal voice - This moment marks the beginning of a deep dive into the primary challenge Mike Rataczak faced: altering the internal voice that hinders personal and career transformations. It's where the narrator reflects on the aftermath of a previous episode's discussion with Mike, setting up the context for a profound exploration of overcoming ingrained belief systems and the fear of change, which is pivotal for anyone considering a significant life or career shift. [00:05:17]: The hardest part of transformation is wrestling with the internal voice - In this part, Mike delves into the core of his struggle, describing the process of contending with the internal voice as the most challenging aspect of his transformation. He emphasizes the difficulty of recognizing this voice does not necessarily represent one's true self, offering encouragement to those contemplating significant life changes. [00:11:36]: The importance of reexamining beliefs and values for transformation - This closing reflection reinforces the theme of the internal voice being a significant barrier to transformation. It discusses the necessity of reevaluating one's beliefs, values, and the assumptions that underpin one's identity and actions. This segment underlines the process of transitioning from externally influenced perceptions to embracing one's internal drivers and reshaping self-concept. /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/30652163

Trusting Your Instincts Through Transformations 03/27/2024

Trusting Your Instincts Through Transformations Join Paula and special guest Mike Rataczak in this wisdom-packed episode as they discuss Mike's journey of making a significant career shift. After dedicating over 30 years to Human Resources, Mike made the bold decision to return to school for design and pursue a career as an interior designer. Listen in to learn Mike's decision-making process and the challenges he encountered while embarking on this new path. This episode offers valuable insights into the experience of navigating major life changes, while also providing encouragement and wisdom for those who may be reflecting on their own journey and feeling a sense of regret or wasted time. Paula and Mike remind us that every step we take serves a purpose, and we are always exactly where we need to be in each season of our lives. Learn more about Mike Rataczak here: 🎧 Show Notes: 🔗Website: Time Stamps: [00:09:32] “My instinctive interest has been there. As long as you can remember. Always, always. I would build forts out of sticks when I was a little kid in my grandparents' front yard...early 2018, I decided to start looking into seriously listening to that voice.” [00:14:28] “And since I was a child, in fact, there's this idea in the world of psychology, I believe if I read this in prior readings correctly, is that if you want to get a sense of what your instinctive interests and passions are, go back and look at what you did as a child. Because children are driven by instincts. They don't have world experience to count on. So they're driven by instinct, right? That's true. So, you know, what were you instinctively drawn to as a child?” [00:42:09] “Late 2019, when I was one year into my new design career, I realized. I just don't want to live in New York anymore. It, like my old career, this city had become a suit that no longer fit me.” /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/30563723

The 3 Essential Steps to Receiving Feedback with Grace 03/13/2024

The 3 Essential Steps to Receiving Feedback with Grace In this episode, Paula embarks on a profound exploration of receiving feedback with intention and grace, highlighting three crucial steps: ✓ Practicing neutrality: By approaching feedback with a neutral energy, we sidestep defensiveness and internalization, paving the way for genuine understanding. ✓ Expressing gratitude: Acknowledging the feedback as a gift of insight is a powerful demonstration of vulnerability that enhances our connections. ✓ Engaging in reflection: Giving ourselves permission to deeply ponder the feedback, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion in our growth. Paula illustrates that engaging with feedback is more than just listening; it's about truly hearing and evolving from the insights shared. This episode underscores the idea that our reaction to feedback offers opportunities for meaningful connections and personal development, urging us to embrace feedback with an open heart and mind as a pivotal step toward living authentically and wholeheartedly. 🎧 Show Notes: reidnco.com/podcast 🔗Website: reidnco.com Time Stamps: [02:34] And frankly, there's been a ton of information and a ton of things written about how you go about giving feedback. And yes, it's very important to know that and to know how to deliver that in an effective way. Not as much written about and not as much talked about about how we received it. But here's the bottom line. I believe that how you receive it matters more. And the reason it matters more is because that's the thing you have control over. [06:22] So the more neutral we can be in that feedback moment. The more apt we are to really hear the full extent of what of the message that's being delivered to us, the more likely we are to be able to ask for more information. Ask clarifying questions. Now, it's hard. I'm not, I'm not saying this is an easy thing to do. [07:40] Number two is to not be defensive or not feel like you need to respond in that moment or not feel like you have to give back something substantial in that moment, but rather feel like you need to just simply acknowledge gratitude. For that person having delivered that to you, having offered that insight to you. [11:34] What do you want to do with the information you're given? Do you want to think about a plan to change your behavior? Do you want to go back to that person and Ask for more information or ask for help in changing that behavior, or do you want to just throw it away because you've decided that the motivation from that person isn't really consistent with what you're looking for in your relationship, in your work, in your outcome, whatever it is. /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/30355258

The Art of an Apology 03/06/2024

The Humble Leader Embracing Growth and Vulnerability 02/28/2024

Navigating Internal Promotions 02/21/2024

Courage Over Fear: Emotional Resilience 02/14/2024

How to Build Emotional Endurance 01/31/2024

Do An Expectations Audit 01/17/2024

Make New Year's Resolutions Meaningful Again 01/10/2024

Shine A Light On Shame 12/20/2023

Shine A Light On Shame We all experience some degree of shame. How does it manifest in your life, particularly when it becomes destructive? Do you have a specific narrative of shame that you frequently revisit or easily fall back into? Most of us do. Shame serves as a barrier between ourselves and social groups, triggering an emotional response that signals potential exile—a survival mechanism, especially when group affiliation significantly influences our lives. While shame can sometimes be a motivating or balancing emotion, it often proves counterproductive, convincing us that we are not smart enough, fit enough, or adequate in various aspects of life. Rooted in perfectionism, this narrative of inadequacy is exacerbated by societal comparisons, particularly through idealized portrayals on social media. Here are three steps to address and overcome shame: Recognition: Acknowledge and accept that everyone experiences shame. Empathy for Yourself: Counteract shame with self-empathy. Understand that making mistakes is part of being human and doesn't define your worth. Isolate the specific behavior or error, offering yourself grace. Open Communication: Illuminate shame by sharing it with a trusted individual. Keeping shame hidden leads to disconnection, creating a harmful cycle. Bringing it into the open fosters connection and minimizes shame's power. Focus on the positive aspect of shame, which is humility, and redirect the narrative toward connection with others. Show Notes: Time Stamps: [00:02:17] And you'd be out on your own. And as you can imagine, early man, if you were out on your own, probably your chance of survival was not very good. So shame is really An emotion that at its gift is humility and it's a gift of a reminder of social norms. And even today, the gift of shame is humility and used in the right way and used in the right quantities shame is the thing that kind of keeps you from getting over the tips of your skis and, and reminding you that, you're not infallible, right? [00:06:45] So what do you do about it? Okay, because first of all, everybody walks around with some level of shame. If you don't walk around with any shame, it's because it's a, you have a complete lack of empathy. And I think then you're actually a sociopath. So we all experience some level of shame. And the very first thing is to recognize that that experience of not feeling like you're enough in some ways is universal. [00:12:12] What we can focus in on is the gift that it gives us and pay attention to it, that the gift of shame is humility. And so being able to go to another person. Or even to yourself, okay, going to yourself, going to another person and talking about the very thing that's created that loathing means the loathing loses its power. /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/29157053

Break the Anxiety Spell and Get Clarity 12/13/2023

Break the Anxiety Spell and Get Clarity In this episode, Paula delves into the topic of anxiety. It's undeniable that anxiety and fear often go hand in hand, manifesting either situationally or as persistent, chronic anxiety. The truth is that anxiety is a prevalent aspect of our society, affecting nearly everyone. Paula recounts a personal experience from a challenging period in her life. During high school, her son suffered a significant concussion that kept him home from school for three months, leading to heightened anxiety. Unbeknownst to her at the time, she coped by immersing herself in cooking every night. This tactile activity became her way of breaking the pattern of anxiety, providing her with a sense of purpose and a means to channel her stress. She emphasizes that, like all emotions, anxiety carries a message. By attentively listening to this message, we can navigate our way through it. Often, it involves the need for clarity and the development of a plan. Paula prompts reflection on what requires clarity in one's life, what might be disregarded or avoided, and what persistent thoughts demand attention and action. Paula offers practical approaches to address anxiety: Acknowledge Your Anxiety: Recognize and admit when you are feeling anxious. Seek Clarity: Gain as much understanding as possible about the root causes of your anxiety. Engage in Tactile Activities: Involve yourself in hands-on activities as a way of coping with anxiety. Develop a Plan: Create a plan to address and manage anxiety, especially during anticipated high-stress periods. Paula's insights underscore the importance of proactive and tangible strategies in dealing with anxiety, encouraging individuals to confront and work through their challenges. Show Notes Link: Time Stamps: [00:02:31] Okay. And so,because of that, we may not always. realize that's what's going on with us. if we're really not in tune to what's happening, a lot of us walk around, there's some statistic, they said 20 percent of Americans, or some research that I have done has indicated that 20 percent of Americans have anxiety, experiencing anxiety every day. I actually think that's probably an incredibly low number, because I think that on some level way more people in this country experience anxiety on a fairly ongoing level. And a lot of times, it's just there. It's just, you don't, you may not even be aware of it, but it's absolutely there. [00:07:18] Okay. So that's. Number 1, if you're able to identify it as a situational trigger, and if you're able to even sit back and realize, it may not just be 1 meeting that you're going into that's causing it, but you may start to realize as you start to notice where it's coming from that there's a pattern to those things that are causing you anxiety. And once you see a pattern, you're able to anticipate ahead of an event, how you're going to feel or how you might want to respond or how you want to respond differently. So once you can see a pattern, you can plan for that and that there's the clarity, right? [00:14:58] If you're really having a tough time, it's to, take the blessing that anxiety is trying to offer you, right? Take the gift that it's trying to give you, and with that, you will find your way out of it. Okay. And if you need help, understanding this, or you want to talk about it more, always happy to discuss it with you, but emotions, they're there for a reason. /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/29047743

Practical Steps To Face Your Fears 12/06/2023

Practical Steps To Face Your Fears We all have certain triggers that evoke our fears. Have you found yourself feeling defensive or skeptical without fully understanding where those emotions are coming from? Fear, being the most powerful emotion, can manifest in various forms such as doubt, self-blame, blaming others, suspicion, and tension. At times, we may not immediately recognize that fear underlies these feelings. In this episode, Paula dissects fear and offers practical steps to assess and, hopefully, shift into a different mindset. Fear instinctively compels us to defend ourselves; we are wired for survival and self-protection. When in a state of fear, we tend to shut off data and lose connection with others—this is how our brains are designed. While this instinct has aided our survival, it can wreak havoc on our emotions in non-physically threatening situations. However, there is a gift within fear. By paying attention and seeking clarity, we can discern what the fear is trying to tell us. In this episode, you'll discover: How Paula confronted a specific fear response during her purchasing decisions Questions you can ask yourself to confront your fears and gain a deeper understanding of yourself The importance of facing this emotion rather than suppressing it Time Stamps: [00:02:31] It's ability to influence, and as such, it can hijack us. The strongest emotion, by the way, is love and strength being an ability to be a force against something else. so fear is an incredibly powerful emotion. So if you think about how the emotion of fear evolved in us, it evolved by way of survival, right? [00:06:34] You're losing the insight of additional information because you're not, your ability to listen and process that is turned off. Okay. Fear of being wrong is another one that kicks in. [00:17:33] You have to say, yes, I'm afraid of this. What is that fear? What is it telling you? What is the gift? And what is the thorn of staying in it, right? The rose and the thorn, always look at those things and, and just seek clarity around it. Show Notes Link: More from Paula Reid: Website: /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/28946223

Fill Up Your Joy Bucket To Increase Resilience 11/22/2023

Fill Up Your Joy Bucket To Increase Resilience Do you know your top three joy priorities? Do you take time in the morning or day to recognize what you are grateful for? It is easier said than done. Most of us get lost in our daily tasks and meetings, especially during the holidays when time feels very scarce. Yet, the truth is if you become depleted you won’t be able to deal with work or life as well as you could. Depletion pushes our resilience capacity lower and is directly related to lack of joy in our lives. Paula is talking about joy in this timely episode. She shares ways that she accesses joy during busy times and emphasizes that you don’t need to go to the spa for the whole day to experience this. So if you are in the middle of frantically buying a second turkey, or trying to make a flight, please take a little moment for yourself to focus on gratitude and joy, this small mindset shift is a game changer. Listen up to learn more about how you can access joy everyday and why it matters. Show Notes: Timestamps: [00:04:43] And being depleted is really that you're not experiencing enough joy in your life. There aren't enough, there aren't enough pleasant associations coming in to your life, coming into your experiences. And when I feel depleted, I noticed that. Things that come along. That normally I could take in stride challenges that happen, you know, what, whatever it is,something that didn't go the way I expected to, or, you know, bad news that I get or in any form. Okay. I noticed that my capacity to manage those other emotions and stay on track and stay on an even keel and kind of take them in stride experience and experience them, but still take them in stride. My ability to do that is dramatically less if I have not been really focusing on the things that give me joy and ensuring that I'm really building up my joy bucket. [00:06:46] Number one, physical energy, you know, we talk about exercise and how important exercises and it definitely is. And that absolutely that physical piece of it can absolutely be an important part of, acquiring and sustaining joy in your life. But it's not the only thing because the other thing is really recognizing those things in life that give you joy and those things in life that you want and those things in your life that you need, not the shoulds, but want. And so one of the practices that I have incorporated into my life, number one, I incorporate meditation and I can tell you right now, 10 minutes of meditation and a consistent basis is absolutely life sustaining for me emotionally. [00:09:22] Another way is to start the day thinking about three things that you really like about yourself. Three things that you're grateful for about you, okay? Maybe it might be grateful for in your life, but grateful for about who you are because the practice of joy and building joy is really centered around your experience and appreciation for you and recognizing internally what you need in order to sustain yourself and in order to build your energy. I guarantee you that if you start a practice of really focusing on that, it will reward you with benefits. It will give you resilience. It will give you energy. It will give you an ability to, accept other emotions that aren't as easy to sit with. They will be easier to tackle. If you have a full joy bucket, and, it's very interesting because I can think back to myself and my own situations where I have just felt depleted. More From Paula Reid: Find Out How to Work With Me Here: /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/28749213

Be Confident and Clear, Not Just Liked 11/08/2023

Be Confident and Clear, Not Just Liked Do you find yourself wishing that you could be more assertive and clear at work? Chances are you have had situations that made you uncomfortable or just made you feel ineffective because you chose not to speak up. Maybe you want to set more boundaries with certain team members who are taking advantage of something or are not producing reasonable results. Whatever it is, the truth is that over time, just being nice will not move things forward for the individual and your work. Paula makes the connection to the desire to be liked and not having agency. To have agency means you understand that you have a choice in the matter. And if you are only focused on being liked, then you are stifling your true self. For example, if you need certain things done or need a culture change with your team, how can this happen if you can't confidently and clearly communicate expectations? In this episode Paula focuses on: Why your team really wants you to be clear and confident How the delivery of your assertive communication is what matters (respectful) Why freeing yourself from the focus of being liked is actually one of the “nicest” things you can do for yourself and your team Show Notes: Timestamps: [00:04:07] Paula: but the problem with that and the challenge with that is that This need to please people really impacts our ability to make clear decisions and to move forward effectively, because you're always trying to split the difference, right? You're always trying to get committee, What you need, but maybe backing off on getting all of it in the way you want it because you also are so concerned with what somebody thinks about you or, you know, are you being kind? [00:06:47] Paula: And I coached a CEO who absolutely brought this Concern with her, uh, when she moved into this more senior level role in an organization and had always worked with this team. And then she was the person who got promoted to lead the organization and it became really imperative. That they like her. Now, she didn't realize that when we started our coaching engagement, when we started our coaching engagement, she thought she wanted them to respect her. And as we went along in the conversation, and we went along in our coaching engagement, after a couple of sessions, it finally became very clear to her that respect was really secondary to being liked. [00:10:26] Paula: People like leaders who are decisive, people like leaders who are clear, and people like leaders who step in and deal with tough issues with confidence. So leave the liking part aside, that comes, comes from being respected a lot of times, not always. But a lot of times. Anyway, that is my conversation of the day on, uh, what things get in the way of our agency at times. More From Paula Reid: Find Out How to Work With Me Here: /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/28546553

A Proven 3-Step Process to Stop Ruminating 11/01/2023

A Proven 3-Step Process to Stop Ruminating We have all been there. Something happens with a coworker or friend, or something big doesn’t go your way and you cannot let it go. You obsess over how things could have been or what should have been done and when. You berate yourself and others for the mistake, or ongoing issue. Or maybe you are not able to take action on a decision because you are just stuck in an overthinking trap. Don’t judge yourself, it happens to all of us but sometimes we ruminate more and more and it can become a negative cycle in our life. Paula wants you to free yourself from the cycle of rumination, she knows it takes time and persistence, but the effort is worth it. She talks us through examples and explains how she moves her coaching clients into action. Paula shares a proven 3-step process that works for her clients. Listen in to learn practical wisdom to help you stop ruminating. So that you can take action and move on with your life. Show Notes: Time Stamps: [00:02:09] Paula: We also start attaching other things to it as we play that loop, we, start inferring, you know, impacts as a result of that loop that we're playing in our head. And it becomes not just a loop, but it becomes a loop with tentacles, right? Like an octopus. It all of a sudden starts growing legs. And you can see. Well, if that happened, then this will happen. And then this will happen. And it just can become a really very paralyzing and obviously very negative cycle. And, um, so obviously like any of these things, there's the extremes, right? There's people who Who get caught in this to the point of it becoming a mental illness.And then there's a lot of us that get caught in it because of a particular circumstance we find ourselves in. So how do you step out of that? Because first of all, it's sucking every ounce of energy and it's producing absolutely nothing by being in it. So how do you break that cycle? [00:05:47] Paula: And when I asked the question. How do you know that to be fact? They pause and they don't, they don't know that to be fact. So put aside what you don't know and focus on what you do know. And now think about the emotion that's really attached to the things that you do know. Okay. What are, what are those emotions and what are those emotions telling you and where are they coming from? [00:07:46] Paula: So it goes from being this larger than life hijacking into something that is manageable and that you can have agency. Over impacting. And like I said, I've been a victim of it on many occasions. Okay. And I think, uh, for any of us, if we sit back and think about the times that we created these stories in our head that took us to far off places, nine times out of 10, those things that we imagined. More From Paula Reid: Find Out How to Work With Me Here: /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/28476467

Taming Fear of Failure: Your Journey to Success 10/25/2023

Taming Fear of Failure: Your Journey to Success In recent episodes, we've delved into the concept of agency, emphasizing the importance of recognizing our control over actions, choices, and the impact we can have on our lives. Today, Paula delves into a formidable adversary: the fear of failure. Listen in to learn: Defining the fear: Why acknowledging the fear of failure is essential. We often mask our fears under various pretexts such as timing issues, circumstances, etc. Paula suggests we name what it truly is first. Painting the picture: Paula leads us through a process of visualizing what failure truly entails. She encourages us to articulate the worst-case scenario, exploring the sequence of events leading to failure. We can learn what we initially perceived as a massive, paralyzing fear and reduce it to manageable steps. Rethinking success: Paula then invites us to redefine what success means and to break down the vision of success into smaller, more attainable milestones. This episode offers valuable insights to empower you to pursue your dreams with confidence. Listen to it and let it inspire you to take that next baby step towards your goal. Show Notes: Time Stamps: [00:04:11] So I'm not suggesting that those things don't matter. What I am suggesting is quite often that's not really where the concern lies, where the concern really lies is fear of failing or fear of not succeeding. And so the first thing that I try to work with clients on is what are you really afraid of? [00:08:45] So the very first thing is. in addressing it is defining what it really is. What does it look like? Live in it? Sit in it? How likely is it to happen? What are the skills you have to avoid that happening? Okay. The other way, the flip side is to rethink about what success means. Okay, let's assume you do this. What would success look like? And always we knock it out of the park, right? Success would be, and it's over the top. Okay. Well, would you still be successful if you were three quarters of the way to that picture that you painted? Well, yeah, that would be successful. Would you be successful if you were halfway there? [00:10:11] So often we get paralyzed by the big shape, the big concept of what it is, but the pieces that it takes to get there, the pieces that it takes to succeed, the pieces that it would actually take to fail, you realize are so unlikely because of how much you bring to any situation that you just kind of, they lose their power by going down this road, by driving down this road, that big concept becomes a small concept and becomes tangible and manageable. More From Paula Reid: Find Out How to Work With Me Here: /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/28389320

What is Neutral? 10/18/2023

What is Neutral? Take a moment, right now, to consider the extraordinary power of a pause in your life. Whether you're navigating the complexities of your career or personal journey, the pause can be your greatest ally. In this episode Paula sheds light on the concept of "Neutral" and how it weaves through her life in the midst of intricate situations. Listen in to learn about: Embracing the Neutral Space: Sometimes, the neutral space is exactly where we need to be. Paula highlights the importance of transitioning from one state to another. It's here that we find the opportunity for intention, where the insights we gain become stepping stones to progress. Tuning into Your Body: Paula shares her valuable insights on helping her clients become attuned to the physical sensations within their bodies. This heightened self-awareness empowers them to assess their reactions and make intentional adjustments. Simple actions, like shifting a ring or bracelet, remind us of the value of thoughtful responses over impulsive, emotionally charged reactions. Reflecting and Responding: Paula encourages you to pause and reflect on the wisdom you've garnered by embracing the neutral space. What insights have emerged from stepping back and intentionally occupying this neutral ground? The pause can be instantaneous or anticipatory, offering a canvas to paint your responses with intention. In this fast-paced world, the art of pausing is often overlooked. Yet, Paula's journey reveals that the power of the pause is a beacon guiding us towards purposeful living. It's in this neutral space where we find clarity, insight, and the capacity to transform our lives. So, embrace the pause, listen to what it has to tell us, and embark on a journey of intentional choices. Show Notes: Time Stamps: [00:02:07] And that is basically true in any situation that we encounter. So in a, in an interesting juxtaposition, one of the key ways to create agency is to be in neutral. Okay. And so I wanted to talk a little bit about. about that concept of intentionally moving to a space of neutral or what I like to call, with a lot of my coaching clients, I talk about it as the great pause. [00:04:15] So between stimulus and response, there is a space in that space is our power to choose our response. That's agency in our response lies, our growth and our freedom. So that entire quote is really about stepping into this neutral space or stepping into a pause in order to be intentional about how you want to move forward. [00:07:03] So I will work with clients on, you know, being aware of what's happening in their body and as they can feel that. As they can feel that happening to them, interrupting it somehow, some physical change. I've had clients who've twisted a ring. I know people who like intentionally take their bracelets or their wristwatch from one arm and put it on the other as a way to create space for themselves and allow themselves to think and pause and gather the response that they're looking for or gather insight into how they're feeling and what they're thinking and really being thoughtful about how they want to move forward rather than being reactive to it. So, um, the key thing is that the key thing is that neutral is actually a phenomenal place to be in as long as you're intentional about what you're learning from that process. Find Out How to Work With Paula Here: /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/28347491

Unpacking the Power of Agency 10/11/2023

Unpacking the Power of Agency In today's episode, Paula takes us on a journey to unpack the concept of agency. She delves into how agency is not just a buzzword but an absolute pillar of leadership and an essential component of our everyday lives. Paula wants you to grasp the significance of agency as it revolves around ownership and recognizing that you have choices. It's all about empowering yourself and taking meaningful action to enhance your life. Paula begins by sharing a personal anecdote from her childhood. This story serves as an illustration of how our past experiences can linger and unexpectedly influence us well into adulthood. She explains how this childhood memory silently shaped her mindset and how recognizing it brought about a significant transformation. Agency involves recognizing that we possess the ability to make choices and take action, even when faced with challenging circumstances. Show Notes: Time Stamps: [00:01:18] Paula: So what does it really mean? In a nutshell, agency is really about owning and recognizing that you have a sense of control over your life. Over your thoughts, over your emotions, your behaviors, and and most importantly, your actions, because agency is really in a big way about action, it is about recognizing your capacity to take action. [00:06:17] Paula: When I loosen that story and said, well, does it really have to be, or is that just of the experiences that became so prominent in my mind, right? And I, I had to kind of sit back and say, well, what if it wasn't that? And I had to start retelling myself the story about what packing for vacation could look like and what preparing to go could look like. [00:08:44] Paula: What are you willing to do in order to change the trajectory of that situation? And so it's very important to sit back and realize, have agency, that you are in the position, you're the driver of this car, right? You are in a position to be able to impact that. Because one of the things to think about is that the opposite of agency is resignation. More From Paula Reid: /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/28279787

Embrace The Back To School Mindset 09/06/2023

Embrace The Back To School Mindset Are you feeling so done with summer? Even if you LOVE it, many of us feel ready to get back into the rhythm of routine and regular life. This time of year has a palpable “back to school” feeling that still resonates even as adults. While, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, September signals a return to school for students, it also stands as a time of fresh starts and new opportunities for adults, too! In this episode, Paula encourages us to perceive September as an annual checkpoint to gauge our aspirations. Just as children get new shoes and backpacks, Paula encourages us to adopt a similar mindset of embarking on a journey of growth. In this context, she challenges us to assess our priorities for the remainder of the year. Paula graciously opens up about her own plans for personal development. She shares insights into her upcoming learning endeavors that will kick off this September. Through her own example, Paula emphasizes the beauty of continuous learning as a path to self-enrichment. Join Paula in embracing the September cadence of learning and growth. Time Stamps: [00:03:19] This is an awesome time of year to sit back and think about where you want to head, where you want get to. What are the big things that you want to really gain knowledge in and make happen. Set an intention to do that and then take a step whether, whatever that is, is it being a better leader? Is it going into September and really wanting to find that balance or what that means? [00:04:30] Same thing as you might've done when you went from fifth grade to sixth grade or from, you know, freshman year to sophomore year. You took on a new kind of math, whatever it is, that cadence that you lived by for all of those years. How do you want to use that today to push yourself forward. Okay. For me, what I have done is I've signed up to take two classes that I'm really excited about. Show Notes: More From Paula Reid: Find Out How to Work With Me Here: /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/27939495

Powerful Lessons Learned and Setting Intentions for an Inspiring Summer 06/28/2023

Powerful Lessons Learned and Setting Intentions for an Inspiring Summer In the inspiring season finale of Beyond Neutral, Paula reflects on the transformative journey of her inaugural podcast series. Through deep exploration of guest insights, she uncovers powerful connections between career challenges and life challenges. The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Paula emphasizes how the narratives we create can become barriers to our progress. Whether in careers or personal relationships, we all encounter similar obstacles. The podcast shines a light on these shared struggles, reminding us that we are not alone in our endeavors. Lessons for Career and Life: The diverse range of guests in this season offers valuable lessons applicable to both personal and professional growth. Listeners will gain insights on pushing beyond comfort zones, embracing worthiness, and trusting the journey. The episodes demonstrate that personal and career development are intertwined. Setting Summer Intentions: As summer approaches, Paula shares her intentions for self-renewal and encourages listeners to do the same. By embracing the podcast's lessons, she plans to step outside her comfort zone, trust the process, and acknowledge her own worth. Listeners are invited to embark on their transformative journeys by setting their own intentions for personal and professional growth. Show Notes: Time Stamps: [00:01:42] I have talked to so many people and listened to so many stories and supported many people as they've tried to navigate challenges or changes in their life, right? So in executive search, it's a very emotional process. People changing jobs. And in that process you learn so much about the stories that people tell themselves. And now in coaching, you really dig into the stories that people tell themselves. And, and those, how those stories impact the way they think of themselves, they, the things they think they have permission to do or not do. And you realize, how much of the stories we tell ourselves are the things that get us stuck and unable to move forward. And so the reason that I wanted to launch this was to be able to bring those stories forward because I think the more that we can see the similarity that we all struggle with, the less power it has over us and, and the more insight that we can gain in how to kind of get over those things. [00:06:10] I know so many women and men who have either adjusted to parenthood or who are going through the process of whether it's infertility or whether it's pregnancy or whatever it is, and how isolating that can feel, and how often there are these competing emotions in that moment. And that, uh, you know, applies in the workplace. And that applies in our, our, our personal lives as well. It's. All the same thing. [00:10:09] And so that was really the point of wanting to do this podcast and wanting to bring those conversations forward. So now it's summer and in summer I like to step back and like to, basically re-energize myself, renew myself, take time to, you know, have a little bit less on my plate. Obviously, we all have to kind of keep up with everything that, that we've gotta keep up with, but it's such a phenomenal time to. Sit back a little bit and reflect for me, which is what my goal is for the summer. So I have set an intention to really, uh, enjoy my summer and take some of these lessons that I learned, as well as the, the lesson that I learned from just launching this, which was all of those things that my guests so eloquently pointed out, which is to step out of my comfort zone. Which is to trust the process, which is, you know, that I am enough. And to, to kind of, to step into that and realize being enough doesn't mean that you're perfect or that you, you're everything. It means that you got a lot of great things to work with and accept them and just continue to learn and improve and grow, and that's what you need to do. More From Paula Reid: Find Out How to Work With Me Here: /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/27273774

Don't Settle and Embrace Lifelong Learning 06/21/2023

Be Ready To Jump In: An Interview With the President of Oofos Footwear 06/14/2023

Be Ready To Jump In: An Interview With the President of Oofos Footwear Paula interviews Steve Gallo, the President of Oofos Footwear, where he played a crucial role in establishing the brand as a leader in the rapidly growing Recovery Footwear market. During the interview, Paula and Steve delve into his career journey, starting from his post-college years up until the present. Steve shares how he was swiftly promoted to a sales role at Reebok and enthusiastically embraced the opportunity. This led to a fast-paced and exhilarating career, with three promotions in three years. However, when you climb the corporate ladder rapidly, blindspots can go unnoticed. Eventually, Steve realized the need to invest time in obtaining his MBA while still working. He learned invaluable lessons from this experience and believes it significantly propelled his career forward. Paula and Steve also explore his transition from the big corporate world to the relatively smaller business environment at Oofos Footwear. In this episode, Paula and Steve discuss the following topics: The significance of not settling and taking risks in both life and career. Navigating the transition from a big corporate position to a smaller company. The importance of diverse leadership styles and how we can utilize various approaches to effectively collaborate with our teams. Show Notes: Time Stamps: [00:04:57] Steve: You know, I, I just, I loved it. So, you know, I, I made a good impression on our sales team. Mm-hmm. And very, very quickly in a short period of time, within a year was promoted into, uh, a sales role. Um, and basically the pitch to me was, Hey, um, you know, you're gonna be taking over territory that's a mess. Um, just wanted to let you know you're gonna be, you know, moving into a hornet's nest. And, um, they gave me the offer and, you know, I'm still young. I'm just outta college, and I wasn't a very good negotiator back then, and it was double my salary and I was like, yeah, I'll, I, I signed on the dotted line. I'm in right. Drive home fast. My newly married, my, my, my new wife. You won't believe what just happened, right? They hit the jackpot. Yeah. We can pay rent this month, so we're good. And, um, yeah. Dove in and honestly, you know, you and I have talked to those before. Sometimes when you're taking over a territory that is mm-hmm. Had its challenges or difficulty, it's actually easier because there's nowhere to go but up. [00:10:04] Steve: Um, move from me because I could apply a lot of the things that I was learning that I couldn't really talk to in business meetings. That on the academic level, the light bulb went on for me. Right. Oh, that's fabulous. Yeah. You know, so I was, you know, as opposed to going through your MBA after school. One of the things I, after undergrad one of the things people always ask me about is, you know, How important is an mba? I say I think it's important if you think it could help you get to where you need to go. Mm-hmm. Um, I also strongly advise people, you know, you really should get some work, real work experience. Mm-hmm. So you can make those courses that much more impactful. Because I'm not sure how, if you go from your undergrad to the MBA right away, yeah. You get the piece of paper and you learn more. But the reality is it's not gonna, you're not gonna be able to apply it the way you would [00:15:50] Steve: Which is fantastic, and I'm a lifelong learner. I, I, I like to learn about a, a, a lot of the aspects of the business. Um, read a ton of, of, you know, business books and, you know, high leadership. Level profile. Mm-hmm. Uh, you know, autobiographies, et cetera. And, you know, a lot of the lessons you learned from folks like that, um, Louis Garner, Steve Jobs, those type of people. You know, you can, you apply those and you remember all those things and you see 'em come to fruition, especially in an early days of a startup. Absolutely. More From Paula Reid: Find Out How to Work With Me Here: /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/27136956

What Does It Mean to Trust The Process? 06/07/2023

Trust the Process and Keep Going 05/31/2023

Trust the Process and Keep Going Paula interviews Brittany Drozd, a seasoned business coach focused on culture change, about her journey into coaching and the evolution of her business over the past decade. Brittany holds two Masters Degrees, one in Psychotherapy and Management, and another in Organizational Management. She initially began her career as a counselor, gaining valuable experience and becoming a catalyst for cultural change, which ultimately led to her dismissal. However, she now embraces that experience wholeheartedly. If you're seeking motivation and inspiration to keep going and trust the process amidst times of change, this episode is a must-listen. During their conversation, Paula and Brittany delve into the following topics: Recognizing the interconnectedness between personal and professional life and how your demeanor in one sphere affects the other. Navigating challenging transitions and the importance of maintaining trust in the process, even when faced with difficulties. Escaping the limitations of labels and the shared passion of Brittany and Paula to empower individuals to develop themselves. Show Notes: Time Stamps: [00:09:25] Paula: I tell clients all the time, if you make a one positive change in one part of your life, the odds of it impacting all other parts of your life are probably 99% right? Because we're not separate beings from one place to the other. We like to think we are, but we never are. [00:27:29] Paula: I asked the client once, how would it feel to be led by you? What would that feel like to be led by you? How would you like the way that you lead? You know, how would you feel about being spoken to that way? How would you feel about being directed the way that you're directed? Would you sign up again? [00:30:12] Paula: If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be and how old would you be when you got it? [00:30:25] Brittany: A great question. This really makes me pause for a reflection here. I would tell myself to trust the process. The day that I got fired. Oh, wow. Maybe even a month before that. I would tell myself to trust the process a month before that. More From Paula Reid: Find Out How to Work With Me Here: /episode/index/show/e02a5396-c760-43e1-9d2b-7e37004d45d0/id/26979597

Introspection Required - Let’s Talk About Big Career Changes 05/24/2023

Beyond Neutral

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