Pause Purpose Play

In this episode I'm joined by Ross White, fresh off the release of his fantastic new book, 'The Tree That Bends: How a Flexible Mind Can Help You Thrive.'   We dive headfirst into the pool of psychological flexibility, discussing its unique edge over concepts like grit, toughness, and resilience. Ross unpacks the importance of balancing our 'get,' 'threat,' and 'reset' modes to keep burnout at bay.   With practical tips, playful metaphors, and Ross's authentic vulnerability, this episode offers a refreshing approach to thriving in both work and life.   Grab your headphones and get ready to bend without breaking!   00:48 Exploring Psychological Flexibility 03:15 Defining Resilience, Toughness, and Grit 09:04 The Metaphor of the Tree 10:15 Modes of Operation: Get, Threat, and Reset 14:24 Momentary and Bold Moves 18:16 Personal Experiences and Vulnerability 23:49 The Comfort Zone vs. The Transforming Zone 28:06 Navigating Career Breaks and Sabbaticals 35:58 Balancing Productivity and Longevity 41:32 The Role of Attention and Mindfulness 46:01 Anchoring Statements and Staying Present

In this special episode of the 'Pause Purpose Play' podcast I decided to step out of my comfort zone and record live on Instagram!   Join me as I chat about the scary but oh-so-important idea of feeling safe to slow down while still aiming high. With my trusty 'I'm not perfect' jumper and my ADHD quirks in full swing, I dive into how pushing through nonstop isn't the answer, how to avoid burnout and share practical tips for regulating our frazzled nervous systems.   Plus, I'm inviting you to join my upcoming 4-day 'Sustainable Success Challenge' for female business owners starting September 24th.    01:48 The Importance of Slowing Down 03:10 Sustainability and Success 04:08 September Reset 05:14 Embracing Imperfection 06:58 Interactive Q&A 09:33 Practical Tips for Nervous System Regulation 11:11 Upcoming Sustainable Success Challenge

In this episode of Pause Purpose Play, I dive into the vibrant world of creativity for those with ADHD. I chat about how our brilliant, busy brains are naturally wired for imaginative thinking and how we can harness that spark.   I share my own quirks and experiences to remind us that done is better than perfect and why it's more fun to create than to endlessly scroll through raccoon videos. Plus, I'll sprinkle in some tips on how to allow yourself the joy of being a little more imperfect!   Join me, and maybe even sign up for my free Sustainable Success challenge if you're ready for more creativity and less comparison in your life.    00:31 The Role of Creativity in ADHD 01:42 Perfectionism vs. Creativity 04:35 The Impact of Consumption on Creativity 08:59 Commitment to Creativity 15:43 Upcoming Sustainable Success Challenge!

Dive into the whimsical world of curiosity and discover how it can transform your personal and professional life! Int his episode I take you on an adventure through the curiosity mindset, the beginner's mindset, and compassionate curiosity.    00:00 Unlocking the Power of Curiosity 00:57 The Beginner's Mindset 01:19 Compassionate Curiosity 01:54 Applying Curiosity in Life 02:19 Access to Work Grant Challenges 03:15 Personal Experience with Access to Work 04:08 Upcoming Events and Workshops

This week I'm joined by the brilliant Dr Claire Plumbly, who shares her exciting journey of writing her first book on burnout, diving into how chronic stress can really take a toll on our minds and bodies. With practical tips on managing burnout, recognising internal pressures, and practicing self-care, this episode is packed with useful advice!      01:28 The Concept of Burnout 01:44 Writing the Book: Inspiration and Challenges 02:26 Understanding Burnout as Trauma 06:15 Recognising Burnout Symptoms 08:04 The Three C's for Nervous System Health 12:27 High-Functioning Burnout 13:29 Practical Tips for Managing Burnout 32:13 Entrepreneurship and Burnout 38:31 Connecting with Others and Finding Support   Do you feel overwhelmed? Too busy to stop? Resisting slowing down? Then you need a break, before you break! Download my free guide to help you spot the signs of overwhelm, learn simple ways of slowing down, and understanding what’s getting in the way of you giving yourself the permission to rest and recover.  https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/calm/   About Dr Claire Plumbly:   Claire is a Clinical Psychologist & Director of Good Therapy Ltd, a psychological therapy centre based online and in Taunton, Somerset. Her private practice specialises in trauma-related issues and Claire herself has a specialism in sexual assault; early life traumas, and of course burnout. Her debut book ‘Burnout: How to Manage Your Nervous System Before It Manages You’ is out in the UK this summer. It will show you how to harness the power of your nervous system, despite the persistent demands of modern life.

We're diving into a topic close to my heart: the chaotic world of unfinished projects that seem to plague us ADHD-ers. I share a laugh-and-cry kind of story from our amazing ADHD Club, and together we explore some fun and practical ways to finally get things done.   I also chat about the importance of self-compassion, managing impulse control, and why taking breaks is your secret weapon against burnout. Plus, stick around till the end because I've got a special freebie to help you tackle those dreaded Access to Work forms!   So, if you want to turn your chaos into calm, hit play and let's get started!   00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:07 Understanding ADHD and Unfinished Projects 03:52 Real-Life Example of ADHD Challenges 06:29 Strategies to Tackle Unfinished Projects 11:14 Community Support and Encouragement 15:05 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events

In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, I dive into the often daunting task of form-filling for ADHD business women. I offer four handy tips to break down this overwhelming task into manageable and even enjoyable chunks.   I explain the crucial importance of these forms for accessing things like government support and business funding, and provide practical, compassionate strategies to tackle them head-on.   Join me in turning this 'boring beast' into a more playful process and stay tuned for the next episode that promises more tips!   00:46 The Importance of Filling Forms 01:54 Why ADHD Brains Avoid Forms 03:07 Tips for Tackling Forms: Chunky 05:56 Tips for Tackling Forms: Funky 07:48 Tips for Tackling Forms: Junky 08:59 Tips for Tackling Forms: Monkey 10:44 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser

In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, I kick off a three-part series to help my fellow ADHD entrepreneurs tackle dreaded business finances. After a lightbulb moment with my ADHD assistant, Zoë, I realised many of us hate dealing with invoices and forms. So, tune in to get given five ways to approach your finances with an ADHD brain! These tips will help you manage cash flow, reduce stress, and keep your creativity flowing. And hey, if you need more support, check out my latest masterclass on sustainable ADHD business success. Let's make this fun and get you paid!   00:48 The Struggle with Forms and Finances 01:29 Understanding ADHD and Executive Functioning 02:24 The Importance of Invoicing 04:09 Why ADHD Brains Struggle with Business Finances 05:07 Five Solutions to Improve Invoicing 05:23 Solution 1: Gamify Your Invoicing 06:18 Solution 2: Change the Context 07:17 Solution 3: Reward Yourself 08:03 Solution 4: Automate the Process 10:03 Solution 5: Outsource the Task 13:14 Conclusion and Masterclass Information

How do you balance your business and life with an ADHD brain? In this episode of the Pause Purpose Play podcast, host and Clinical Psychologist Michaela Thomas, returns from a podcast break to discuss the importance of clarity and self-care to have balance between work and life, prioritising family right now. Michaela explores themes of compassion, perfectionism, and ADHD, sharing personal insights on balancing family life and professional responsibilities. She introduces a framework for sustainable success, focusing on support, systems and self-compassion. You’re also invited to catch a replay of a masterclass on how to balance your business and life with an ADHD brain, here: Balancing your Business with an Ambitious ADHD Brain - The Thomas Connection The doors are open NOW to Michaela’s ADHD membership community, The ADHD Club for ambitious women with bright and busy brains. Join here: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhdclub  00:14 Reasons for taking a break from the podcast 01:00 Clarity and Family Priorities 02:17 The links between ADHD and perfectionism 03:06 Support, Systems and Self-Compassion 03:49 The Venn Diagram Framework 12:38 Permission to Seek Support

Welcome back to the Pause Purpose Lay podcast with me, Michaela Thomas. In this episode, we explore how to snack well with ADHD by understanding interoceptive cues, common sugar cravings, and the importance of self-compassion. We discuss the challenges ADHD individuals face with food, the impact of ignoring hunger signals, and practical tips to avoid energy crashes and binges. Additionally, I explain how to give yourself permission to snack and manage your energy levels. For those interested, I am offering access to my recent workshop recording on this topic. Join us as we navigate snacking strategies and move away from shame and self-criticism.   https://thethomasconnection.co.uk/adhdclub