Beyond Neutral

As the holiday season approaches, Paula Reid challenges listeners to step back from the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations to focus on themselves. In this special episode of Beyond Neutral , Paula introduces a simple yet impactful three-step process for ending the year with gratitude and setting the stage for personal success in the new year. Key Takeaways Celebrate Your Wins (2:45) Reflect...

In this Season 2 wrap-up, Paula takes a moment to reflect on some of her favorite and most popular episodes, such as "Ep. 16: Unpacking Agency," "Ep. 19: Three Step Process to Stop Ruminating" and "Ep. 26: Do An Expectations Audit."   As Paula prepares for her summer activities, a time she usually spends reflecting, reading, and planning for the future, she had a thought-provoking conversation wit...

Throughout season two, Paula explored various techniques for recognizing and managing emotions, from navigating feedback to weathering emotional storms. Today, she zeros in on a crucial element of mastering emotional regulation: understanding your personal stress responses and self-soothing methods. In this episode, Paula dives into how recognizing these personal tendencies is a pivotal first step...

Paula wants us to know that the abundance mindset is not about pie-eyed optimism. It is about how we approach a problem, and if we immediately go to a scarcity mindset, this can condition our thinking. We all have a tendency to jump into certain patterns of thinking, even if we consider ourselves very positive people. In this episode, Paula shares a personal story about packing her daughter's car...

Have you been telling yourself a certain story about who you are and what you're capable of? We all have an inner narrative that can hinder our ability to transform. This inner voice is not necessarily ever going to go away, but breaking free from its assumptions is possible.   In a recent discussion, Paula and Mike Rataczak reflected on their latest episode, "#33: Trusting Your Instincts Through...

Join Paula and special guest Mike Rataczak in this wisdom-packed episode as they discuss Mike's journey of making a significant career shift. After dedicating over 30 years to Human Resources, Mike made the bold decision to return to school for design and pursue a career as an interior designer. Listen in to learn Mike's decision-making process and the challenges he encountered while embarking on...

In this episode, Paula embarks on a profound exploration of receiving feedback with intention and grace, highlighting three crucial steps:   ✓ Practicing neutrality: By approaching feedback with a neutral energy, we sidestep defensiveness and internalization, paving the way for genuine understanding. ✓ Expressing gratitude: Acknowledging the feedback as a gift of insight is a powerful demonstratio...

Do you owe someone an apology? Have you ever thought about the difference between a meaningful and an ineffective apology?   Apologizing can be challenging, as some of us perceive admitting wrongdoing as a sign of weakness. However, Paula emphasizes that acknowledging our mistakes is actually a display of strength. Apologies play a crucial role in maintaining healthy relationships. If you wish to...

Can you recall a moment when you crossed paths with someone in a powerful position who had genuine humility? I bet it left a lasting mark on you. There's something about humble individuals that stays with us—they possess an incredible superpower.   Today, Paula is talking about humility in leadership and life. She's shedding light on the idea that when we arrogantly believe we have all the answers...

Do you aspire to advance within your current company?    Have you thought about how being an internal candidate might affect how others perceive you compared to an external candidate?    Paula wants us to consider all the pieces to an internal promotion. There are many advantages, such as a deeper understanding of the organization, but it also presents challenges. One challenge is the need to reas...

Imagine if you were not afraid of your emotions? If you had the confidence to know that no matter what emotion comes your way, you can face it. This is what Paula wants us to start practicing.   Last week, Paula encouraged us to strengthen our emotional endurance so that we can effectively navigate through challenging feelings and difficult conversations. This week Paula is talking about emotional...

When faced with a distressing emotion, what's your initial reaction? Do you find yourself wanting to quickly suppress, brush aside, or overlook the feeling?   And in challenging conversations, is your instinct to rush through them just to get them over with?   It's completely understandable to want to push away unpleasant emotions. The issue arises when we avoid dealing with the root emotion, like...

Have you ever anticipated that a specific job title, salary increase, or possession would bring you happiness, only to realize that it didn't provide the satisfaction you expected?   Many of us carry numerous expectations about how our lives should unfold and where we ought to be in various aspects. Last week, Paula prompted us to reflect on the changes we genuinely want to make in 2024 and to ide...

Do you often find yourself abandoning your New Year's resolutions by the time spring arrives? Have you taken the time to reflect on the true meaning and motivation behind your resolutions?   Paula encourages us to approach New Year's resolutions with more depth and make these goals meaningful again. She shares her own changes in resolution strategy this year and the reasons behind them. It's worth...

We all experience some degree of shame. How does it manifest in your life, particularly when it becomes destructive? Do you have a specific narrative of shame that you frequently revisit or easily fall back into? Most of us do.    Shame serves as a barrier between ourselves and social groups, triggering an emotional response that signals potential exile—a survival mechanism, especially when group...

In this episode, Paula delves into the topic of anxiety. It's undeniable that anxiety and fear often go hand in hand, manifesting either situationally or as persistent, chronic anxiety. The truth is that anxiety is a prevalent aspect of our society, affecting nearly everyone.   Paula recounts a personal experience from a challenging period in her life. During high school, her son suffered a signif...

We all have certain triggers that evoke our fears. Have you found yourself feeling defensive or skeptical without fully understanding where those emotions are coming from?   Fear, being the most powerful emotion, can manifest in various forms such as doubt, self-blame, blaming others, suspicion, and tension. At times, we may not immediately recognize that fear underlies these feelings. In this epi...

  Do you know your top three joy priorities?    Do you take time in the morning or day to recognize what you are grateful for?    It is easier said than done. Most of us get lost in our daily tasks and meetings, especially during the holidays when time feels very scarce. Yet, the truth is if you become depleted you won't be able to deal with work or life as well as you could. Depletion pushes our...

Do you find yourself wishing that you could be more assertive and clear at work?    Chances are you have had situations that made you uncomfortable or just made you feel ineffective because you chose not to speak up. Maybe you want to set more boundaries with certain team members who are taking advantage of something or are not producing reasonable results. Whatever it is, the truth is that over t...

We have all been there. Something happens with a coworker or friend, or something big doesn't go your way and you cannot let it go. You obsess over how things could have been or what should have been done and when. You berate yourself and others for the mistake, or ongoing issue. Or maybe you are not able to take action on a decision because you are just stuck in an overthinking trap. Don't judge...

In recent episodes, we've delved into the concept of agency, emphasizing the importance of recognizing our control over actions, choices, and the impact we can have on our lives. Today, Paula delves into a formidable adversary: the fear of failure. Listen in to learn: Defining the fear: Why acknowledging the fear of failure is essential. We often mask our fears under various pretexts such as timin...

Take a moment, right now, to consider the extraordinary power of a pause in your life. Whether you're navigating the complexities of your career or personal journey, the pause can be your greatest ally.  In this episode Paula sheds light on the concept of "Neutral" and how it weaves through her life in the midst of intricate situations. Listen in to learn about:   Embracing the Neutral Space: Some...

In today's episode, Paula takes us on a journey to unpack the concept of agency. She delves into how agency is not just a buzzword but an absolute pillar of leadership and an essential component of our everyday lives. Paula wants you to grasp the significance of agency as it revolves around ownership and recognizing that you have choices. It's all about empowering yourself and taking meaningful ac...

Are you feeling so done with summer?    Even if you LOVE it, many of us feel ready to get back into the rhythm of routine and regular life. This time of year has a palpable "back to school" feeling that still resonates even as adults.    While, at least in the Northern Hemisphere, September signals a return to school for students, it also stands as a time of fresh starts and new opportunities for...

In the inspiring season finale of Beyond Neutral, Paula reflects on the transformative journey of her inaugural podcast series. Through deep exploration of guest insights, she uncovers powerful connections between career challenges and life challenges.   The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Paula emphasizes how the narratives we create can become barriers to our progress. Whether in careers or personal...