I explore my lifelong impulse to speak out against everyday annoyances and perceived inefficiencies. You will hear numerous anecdotes from my history—including confrontations with teachers, supervisors, and people in queues—to illustrate this uncontrollable tendency.

Although I admit that this blurting behaviour often makes me look like the 'difficult one' and rarely fixes the underlying problem,I continue to struggle with the tension between remaining silent and voicing my perspective.

Ultimately, I explore the my attempt to cultivate a 'wise elder' perspective, learning to choose the moments for intervention by asking whether my comment will truly help or matter!

This episode is based on my latest article published on MEDIUM - where I regularly share lessons learnt or 'just wondering' musings. Follow me - @trishalewistalk - or follow me on Instagram for the 'read for free' links. (@selfbeliefunsquashed)

This episode is a big one, because I'm grappling with a massive question myself: to persist or walk away? Sound familiar? Whether it's a project, a job, a relationship, or even a long-held goal, we all face moments where we wonder if we should keep pushing or call it a day.

I'm actually trying to decide the future of this very podcast – do I continue, rebrand, or wrap it up completely? It's a huge decision, and one that traditionally comes with a lot of baggage. We've been told for generations that perseverance is the ultimate virtue, and giving up is a sign of "pitiful weakness". I've even dug into some old newspaper archives from as far back as 1862 and 1934 to show you just how deeply ingrained this idea is!

But what if I told you that sometimes, walking away can be incredibly wise and courageous? And that sometimes, persisting can actually be a sign of being stubborn, blinkered, or even complacent?

In this episode, we're flipping the script on those old notions. I'm sharing how to identify the red flags that tell you it might be time to change direction – like when a path no longer aligns with who you truly are, or when you're just feeling stuck and surviving instead of thriving. And we'll also explore the green flags that signal when "giving up" is actually a positive, transformative step, like having the courage to explore new avenues and letting go of the trap of worrying about "sunk costs" – all that effort you've already put in.

We'll even dive into Angela Duckworth's concept of 'grit' and how our identity plays a huge part in these decisions. So, let's clear out all those preconceived ideas about what we 'should' do and figure out, together, when it's truly time to persevere and when it's time to boldly walk away. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my own podcast dilemma too!

Grit: The Power or Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

Join us for a captivating episode with Ricky Locke, magician, speaker, and confidence coach. Ricky shares his remarkable journey of pivoting his career and fulfilling his ambition of becoming a TEDx Speaker, all through harnessing the power of curiosity.

In this conversation, discover how curiosity is like a compass to guide us through the unexpected, encouraging you to embrace the unknown and unlock new possibilities. Ricky delves into powerful techniques, explaining how visualisation helps achieve goals by using a vision board and daily affirmations. He shares how his affirmation, "I'm so happy and grateful now delivering my first TEDx," helped program his brain to generate ideas and opportunities, answering the question: do affirmations work?.

The episode also tackles the importance of challenging self-imposed constraints and learning to ask more questions about your beliefs. Ricky underscores the message to don't let limiting beliefs hold you back, explaining that most fears are learned and can be unlearned. He encourages listeners to embrace discomfort, recognising it as merely "unfamiliar" territory where "the magic happens". Tune in to be inspired to remain incurably curious and embrace the unfolding journey of life.

Ricky's TEDx talk: How Curiosity Unlocks Possibility. TEDx Northwich.

His website: Ricky Locke

Instagram: RickyLockeMagic

Linkedin

References: Jack Canfield Success Principles

I tried to remember a concept from the 'TED TALKS' book by the founder Chris Anderson -

The full version is this:

'Uncanny Valley'

You can find more 'Unsquashing' resources on my website - including a link to my book and TEDx. INCLUDING the sign up for the 'Just Wondering' email.