

You Are Not A Frog
Dr Rachel Morris
The podcast for GPs, hospital doctors and other professionals in high-stakes, high-stress jobs who want to thrive rather than just survive.
You studied for years, you’re really good at what you do but you’ve noticed that you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, overworked and under-resourced. You may be comparing yourself to a frog in boiling water - the heat has built up so slowly that you haven’t noticed the extra-long days becoming the norm. You may feel on the edge and trapped in the very job that you’ve spent years working towards.
Here’s the problem, frogs only have two choices; stay and be boiled alive, or jump out of the pan. The good news is that you are not a frog. You have many more choices than you think you do. You don’t have to quit, and nor should stress and burnout be inevitable.
It is possible to be master of your own destiny, to craft your work life and career so that you can thrive even in the most difficult of situations. There are simple changes you can make which will make a huge difference to your stress levels and help you enjoy life again.
Your host is Dr Rachel Morris, GP turned Executive Coach and Specialist in Resilience at Work who knows what it’s like to feel like an exhausted frog. In the podcast, she’ll be talking to friends, colleagues and experts all who have an interesting take on resilience for clever people in high-stakes, high-stress jobs so that together you can take back control to beat stress and burnout, survive and thrive.
You studied for years, you’re really good at what you do but you’ve noticed that you’re starting to feel overwhelmed, overworked and under-resourced. You may be comparing yourself to a frog in boiling water - the heat has built up so slowly that you haven’t noticed the extra-long days becoming the norm. You may feel on the edge and trapped in the very job that you’ve spent years working towards.
Here’s the problem, frogs only have two choices; stay and be boiled alive, or jump out of the pan. The good news is that you are not a frog. You have many more choices than you think you do. You don’t have to quit, and nor should stress and burnout be inevitable.
It is possible to be master of your own destiny, to craft your work life and career so that you can thrive even in the most difficult of situations. There are simple changes you can make which will make a huge difference to your stress levels and help you enjoy life again.
Your host is Dr Rachel Morris, GP turned Executive Coach and Specialist in Resilience at Work who knows what it’s like to feel like an exhausted frog. In the podcast, she’ll be talking to friends, colleagues and experts all who have an interesting take on resilience for clever people in high-stakes, high-stress jobs so that together you can take back control to beat stress and burnout, survive and thrive.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 4, 2023 • 56min
How to Stop Making Decisions Based on Fear
How do you make decisions? Is it from a deep place of knowing and intuition? Or is it merely out of fear? Making big decisions (or even small ones) can understandably be stressful and anxiety-inducing. But being stuck in fear-based thinking is a prescription for misery - and for living a life doing stuff you don’t actually want to do. This week, Henri Stevenson, Executive Coach and Shapes trainer, joins us to discuss how to stop making decisions based on fear and anxiety. We break down how many of us fall into this pattern and then share simple strategies to get our egos out of the way and base our thinking on freedom and love.If you want to stop making decisions based on fear and live in alignment with what you REALLY want, listen to our full conversation in this episode of You Are Not a Frog.Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Discover how to tell the difference between decisions made from intuition versus fear.Learn how to stop making decisions purely through fear of complaints or criticisms.Find out why being self-indulgent is anything ‘but’.Episode Highlights[05:41] Henri’s Journey to Finding a Different Operating System[10:40] What Ego Is[14:18] Why We Pay More Attention to Fear-Based Thoughts[19:11] Investing in Your Self-Growth[25:05] The Bottom Line of Self-Indulgence[36:52] How to Decide From a Better Mental Place[38:18] How to Get Over a Fear Hump[39:44] Techniques to Overcome Fear[43:33] What to Do When You’re Completely Overwhelmed[48:33] Practising Self-Compassion[49:53] Henri’s Top Three TipsResourcesConnect with Henri Stevenson: Website | LinkedInEpisode 126: Using Nature to Answer Your Big Questions With Henri StevensonMy Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor, PhDDownload our free ‘Just Say No’ toolkitFind out more about how you can come to our 2023 Off Air Off Grid Retreat! Sign up for Henri's one-day Nourish Retreat happening in PAUS. Cambridgeshire on the 29th of June 2023!THRIVE Weekly PlannerSign up here to receive a link to the episode workbook and CPD form downloads for each podcast. You can use them for reflection and to submit for your appraisal.Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris Twitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training here.Mentioned in this episode:Download Your Free Overwhelm SOS Guide
Discover the simple, step-by-step process you need to calm your mind, take control of your tasks, and get yourself out of overwhelm.

13 snips
Mar 28, 2023 • 19min
The Problem with Boundaries
We need boundaries. In fact, you might have already set some of your own. But ask yourself: how often do you let those boundaries crumble?It’s not unusual for professionals in high-stakes industries to give in to other people’s demands, even if it means losing the boundaries they set. That’s not healthy — so why do we do it?In this Quick Dip, we explore the challenges doctors and other professionals face when trying to enforce their boundaries. The problem isn’t in knowing when to say no or what boundaries to put up. We delve into various real-life scenarios and discuss how power language can help reinforce boundaries effectively.Stay tuned to this episode if you want to know the problem with boundaries and how to overcome it.Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand the importance of power language.Learn how to embrace consequences and regain control.Discover how the amygdala can undermine your boundaries.Episode Highlights[00:28] Boundaries for High-Stress Professionals[02:42] The Consequences of Boundaries[03:55] Embracing Consequences and Regaining Control[05:49] The Amygdala and its Role in Boundary Setting[08:46] Problems that Crumbling Boundaries Cause[09:15] Boundaries are Set for Good Reasons[10:19] Being in Control[11:28] Know Why You’re Setting the Boundary[12:27] Power Language[14:12] Bearing the Consequences[16:17] Boundaries Have a ReasonResourcesJust Say No ToolkitWe Can Do Hard Things Podcast with Glennon DoyleTHRIVE Weekly PlannerEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris Twitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training here.

Mar 21, 2023 • 55min
How to Avoid Burnout on Repeat
Discover the 12 stages of burnout and how to recognize them. Understand the impact of guilt and shame on burnout. Learn about the effects of burnout on the brain and the importance of therapy and supportive peer groups. Gain valuable tips for self-care and preventing burnout.

Mar 14, 2023 • 18min
How to Have More Impact with Less Effort
What criteria do you use when prioritising the tasks on your to-do list? Do you just put them in the order you get them? Maybe you pick the ones that seem the most urgent?Here’s an alternative: do the ones that are the easiest first. Not everything worth doing needs to be difficult!In this quick dip episode, we talk about the reality of our limits. In a high-stress job, getting everything done in one day is nearly impossible. And that's okay! What's important is putting your focus where you can be most effective. You may have heard of the urgent-important matrix for prioritising, but we're taking it up a notch using the impact-effort matrix. We will teach you how to define the impact you want to create and acknowledge the reality of the effort needed to make that impact.Stay tuned to this episode if you want to know how prioritising your life might require completely different criteria from what you thought.Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Learn why prioritising your tasks based on impact and effort can help you be more effective. Discover how to direct your focus towards things that are easier to do.Understand that you have limited time and energy. Don't waste them on things that won't make you happy or don't make much of an impact. Episode Highlights[00:30] Know Your Limits so You Can Focus[03:41] What to Focus On[05:30] Define Your Impact[08:30] The Reality of Effort [09:48] The Effort Impact Matrix [10:57] #1 High Impact and High Effort Tasks[12:41] #2 High Impact and Low Effort Tasks[13:18] #3 & #4 Low Impact and High Effort Tasks [14:08] Rethink Your PrioritisingResourcesEffortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most by Greg McKeownHere are a couple of You’re Not a Frog podcast episodes to check out: Episode 106: How to Stop Worrying When There’s a Lot to Worry About with Caroline Walker Episode 129: How to Cope with Trauma on the Frontline with Dr Caroline Walker Episode 153: Think Differently About Your To-Do ListEpisode 156: How to Change Your Life in 12 Minutes Per Week THRIVE Weekly PlannerEnjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris Twitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training here.

Mar 7, 2023 • 50min
The Glass Slipper and Other Challenges for Women in Medicine
Professor Chloe Orkin & Dr Nuthana Bhayankaram discuss sexism in medicine, barriers women face, and strategies for advocacy. Topics include working in male-dominated environments, overcoming self-doubt in job applications, balancing work and family responsibilities, and empowering women in medicine through collective action.

Feb 27, 2023 • 18min
The Power of Pressing Pause
Learn the power of pressing pause in stressful situations to avoid making rash decisions. Discover how pausing can ground you back into rational thinking. Find out about the four Ps plan to help you make a plan to pause.

Feb 21, 2023 • 49min
How to Change Your Life in 12 Minutes Per Week
Robbie Swale shares how he changed his life in just 12 minutes a week, emphasizing the power of small actions over time. He discusses overcoming obstacles, the importance of getting started, and managing time for high-stress professionals. Learn how to make significant changes by dedicating a small amount of time each week.

Feb 14, 2023 • 14min
The One Thing You Can Do For Your Well-being
As healthcare professionals, we know what we need to do for our physical and mental well-being. So why aren’t we doing it?Often, the first thing we give up when we get busier is something that makes our lives happier. We've normalised giving up our basic needs to make room for productivity. No one bats an eye at it anymore. But is living your one shot at life like this really worth it at the end of the day?In this quick dip episode, we talk about the one thing you can do right now for your well-being. The biggest barrier to well-being is not knowledge; it’s setting aside time to do it. It will feel uncomfortable, but we don’t have to give up the thing that makes us happy to make room for busyness. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself burned out before you realise what’s happening.If you want to know how to start prioritising your well-being as you get busier in life, stay tuned to this episode.Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand how not to fall into the bottom of the vortex of busyness.Learn the five (or eight!) ways to well-being.Start doing the one thing you need for your well-being.Episode Highlights[00:33] The Biggest Barrier to Health and Fitness[02:03] Vortex of Busyness[04:03] Stress and Burnout[05:05] Ways to Well-Being[06:22] The Three Types of Life[08:19] The ONE Thing You Can Do Right Now for Your Well-BeingResources5 Steps to Mental WellbeingTED Talk: The new era of positive psychology | Martin SeligmanTHRIVE Weekly PlannerJoin the Permission to Thrive CPD Monthly Membership Programme for Doctors here!Reach out to Rachel at hello@youarenotafrog.com Sign up to get your CPD workbook for this episode.Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris Twitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comInstagram: @drrachelmorrisFind out more about our training here.

4 snips
Feb 7, 2023 • 54min
How to Fix Your Broken Meetings
Dr. Carrie Goucher shares insights on improving meeting effectiveness by planning beyond basics, encouraging participation, and managing disagreements. Learn about running effective meetings with time constraints and sharing information efficiently.

Jan 31, 2023 • 18min
Think Differently About Your To-Do List
Do you constantly feel guilty about unfinished tasks at the end of the day? Do you keep finding yourself wanting to improve how you manage your time?Your to-do list is not a fixed and immovable bucket. It’s a river of opportunities that you have a choice and control over. How would you choose what things to fish out of this river wisely?In this quick dip episode, we discuss shifting our mindset about our to-do list from a bucket to a river. We only have a limited amount of time in the world. Instead of trying to do the impossible of managing our time, we need to start learning how to manage the opportunities we take. We have the power to choose what we take out of that river. So think differently about what you want to pull out, and choose wisely.If you want to know how to think differently about your to-do list, stay tuned to this episode.Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand why it’s impossible to manage time.Learn why you should think differently about your bucket list.Start applying the Four F’s Method in your life.Episode Highlights[00:29] Four Thousand Weeks[02:37] Think Differently About Your To-Do List[03:55] The Problem with Thinking of Your To-Do List as a Bucket[06:21] Shifting Your Mindset About To-Do Lists[07:26] How to Choose What to Pick Up Out of the River[08:06] Four F’s Method[15:31] Choosing WiselyResourcesFour Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman OLIVER BURKEMAN: 4000 weeks…it’s all we got in this lifetime, folks! From the Wild with Sarah Wilson Podcast Books by Marshall Goldsmith Episode 15: Eff It Living. An evidence-based way to beat stress and change your life with John C. ParkinEpisode 130: How to Say F**k It and Become Ridiculously Relaxed (Even about Stuff That REALLY Matters) with John C. ParkinTHRIVE Weekly PlannerJoin the Permission to Thrive CPD Monthly Membership Programme for Doctors here!Reach out to Rachel at hello@youarenotafrog.com Sign up to get your CPD workbook for this episode.Enjoyed This Podcast?Write a review and share this with your friends.Connect With MeHave any questions? Contact Rachel through these platforms:LinkedIn: @Dr-Rachel-Morris Twitter: @DrRachelMorrisEmail: hello@youarenotafrog.comFind out more about our training here.


