In this solo episode, Dr. Monica Shah shares her journey of launching a podcast while navigating various mental and physical blocks. She discusses the common challenges people face when trying something new, including time management, life circumstances, overwhelm, procrastination, perfectionism, and self-doubt. Dr. Shah emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and resilience in overcoming these obstacles. The conversation serves as a guide for listeners who may be facing similar blocks to embarking on something new, encouraging them to embrace their unique paths in life.

Takeaways

It's normal to feel nervous when starting something new.

Common blocks include time management, life circumstances, and overwhelm.

Self-doubt is a common barrier to pursuing goals.

Motivation often comes after taking action, not before.

Perfectionism can hinder progress and creativity.

Procrastination often stems from fear and overwhelm.

Comparison to others can diminish motivation.

Setting external deadlines creates accountability and can distract from mental blocks.

Self-criticism is detrimental; self-compassion is crucial when facing challenges.

Embrace the journey and learn from each experience.

Sound bites

“Work in the windows of time.”

"Done is better than perfect."

"Just start somewhere and you can modify as you go."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Living, with Dr. Monica Shah

00:37 Pulling Back the Curtain: My Podcast Journey

02:51 My Why 04:11 Block #1: Time

05:38 Block #2: Life

06:12 Block #3: Overwhelm

07:05 Block #4: Intellectualizing

08:19 Block #5: Procrastination

09:26 Block #6: Perfectionism

11:22 Block #7: Motivation

12:50 Block #8: Self-Doubt

13:34 Block #9: Vulnerability

14:39 Block #10: Social Comparison

15:35 Setting Goals and Deadlines

16:31 Block #11: Self-Criticism

18:42 Reconnecting with My Why

19:30 First Solo Show Done!

20:59 Please Like, Share, and Subscribe

Keywords

mental blocks, podcasting, self-doubt, motivation, perfectionism, resilience, procrastination, overcoming challenges, self-criticism, self-compassion

Passengers on the Bus metaphor (from ACT) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z29ptSuoWRc