After an unplanned podcast hiatus due to tech avoidance and a little story inflation, Sheri is back with an honest conversation about the stories we tell ourselves…and how they quietly keep us stuck.

In this episode, Sheri unpacks why manageable tasks turn into overwhelming “elephants,” how perfectionism and accountability (or the lack of it) fuel avoidance, and why progress almost always starts with a tiny, imperfect step. It’s a reminder that most of what we avoid isn’t actually as hard as we tell ourselves it is.

If you’ve been putting something off, overthinking a simple next step, or telling yourself a convincing story about why “now isn’t the time,” this episode is your nudge forward.

Because most of the things we avoid aren’t actually elephants at all. They’re more like squirrels…chaotic and distracting, but completely manageable.

What This Episode Might Shift for You

• A more realistic perspective on the thing you’ve been avoiding
• Less pressure to have it all figured out before you begin
• Permission to take a small, imperfect first step
• A more grounded, realistic story about what’s actually required

In This Conversation

• Why Sheri was MIA for a while… and what was happening behind the scenes
• How accountability (or the lack of it) impacts follow-through
• Why we avoid things we’re fully capable of doing
• How perfection turns small tasks into massive mental projects
• Four practical ways to shrink the story and move forward

• Name the thing you’ve been avoiding…out loud if possible
• Identify the smallest first step rather than focusing on the entire project
• Ask yourself: What’s the 60-second action I could take today?
• Give yourself permission to be a beginner and move forward imperfectly

And listen to my friend Sue’s podcast that I mentioned! Susan M. Barber at The Visibility Factor Podcast.

If something in your life has gotten bigger in your head than it actually is, this is your reminder: stories can be rewritten, and momentum starts small.

If this episode resonated, please share it, subscribe, and stay tuned…Sheri is officially back. The elephant has been eaten.

Thanks for listening! If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review. On iTunes, scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.” On Spotify, just select “Rate Show.” Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters. Let’s Connect:

• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Reach out if you’d like to explore how I can be a resource for you.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!

What do you really want? (And why that question feels so hard)

We can all list what we don’t want…burnout, bad bosses, endless countdowns to Friday. But when it comes to answering “What do I want?” most people find it harder to answer than expected. In fact, over 85% of people admit they don’t know what they truly want in life or their career. In this episode, I share why focusing on what you don’t want keeps you stuck…and how shifting to what you do want points you toward a more fulfilling personal and professional life. Feeling stuck? Find yourself saying, “I don’t want this…” more than “I do want that…”? Tired of running on autopilot? Take a listen.

Here's what you'll learn:

• Why focusing on what you don’t want keeps you in the very place you’re trying to escape
• How the “pink elephant” effect hijacks your attention
• Three clarifying questions that unlock what you really want
• How small, everyday clues (like what lights you up) point to bigger patterns
• Why writing it down matters (and how it helps create direction without needing a perfect plan)

Two takeaways you can try today:

1. When you catch yourself focusing on what you don’t want, pause and ask: “Okay, then what DO I want?
2. Answer these three questions in writing (no editing, no disclaimers):
   1. When have I felt most alive or fulfilled in the past year?
   2. If I could wave a magic wand, what would my ideal personal and professional life look like?
   3. What do I want to experience more of?

If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend, and subscribe for future insights and inspiration!

If you love The DASH Mindset Podcast, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a quick rating and review. On iTunes, scroll down, tap to give five stars, and hit “Write a Review.” On Spotify, just select “Rate Show.” Your support helps more people lead their lives…and lead others…in a way that truly matters.

Let’s Connect:

• Learn more about working with me at The DASH Mindset website.
• Connect with me on LinkedIn.
• Reach out if you’d like to explore how I can be a resource for you.
• Have an idea for a future episode? I’d love to hear it!