All Episodes

September 25, 2024 34 mins

Send us a text - your number will not show, so if you want a response include an email

In episode #135 I hang out with Nope Coach, Suzanne Culberg. Her free offer, the Building Boundaries Bundle, is available here: http://suzanneculberg.com/bbb Enter Coupon o the left of the screen: HAPPYDOCSTUDENT 

  • Academic Burnout: Overachieving academics (students and faculty) often struggle with boundaries, leading to burnout and all other sorts of negative outcomes (reduced cognitive performance, leaving a program, etc.). 
  • Avoid Extremes: Just like saying “yes” to everything isn’t healthy, saying “no” to everything isn’t either. Find balance by offering alternatives or delaying responses instead of saying "no" to everything.
  • Self-Boundaries: Setting boundaries with yourself is key to staying focused and not getting sidetracked by others' requests.
  • Graceful Declining: Politely decline requests that don’t align with your skills, goals and/or available bandwidth, thanking the requester for considering you.
  • Reframing "No": Understand that saying "no" can open up space for other opportunities and clarify what the requester really needs. 
  • Normalize Asking for Help: Just like others ask you for help, it’s OK for you to ask for assistance - be specific about the type of support you need.
  • Energy Management: Be wary of “energy vampires” – if you do not have the time to help right now, offer to help when you can (the need for your help will likely pass).
  • Creative Help Options: Offer limited or alternative ways to help without overextending yourself (instead of helping with a move, offer to bring a pizza or have one delivered!; instead of reviewing an entire book, offer to read a chapter).
  • Time to Respond: Always take time to consider requests before agreeing (“I have to check my calendar and get back to you on that.”). 
  • Clarify Expectations: Ask requesters to clarify what kind of feedback or help they want when asking for support.
  • Teach and Model Boundaries: Educating others about boundaries, including your kids, and demonstrating how to communicate needs clearly will reduce your overwhelm. 
  • Index Card Strategy: Use an index card with "yes" on one side and "no" on the other to serve as a visual cue – when you say “yes” to someone else, you say ‘no’ to yourself.  
  • Manage FOMO: Let go of the fear of missing out; there will always be new opportunities.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: “You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously" -Sophia Bush 

Connect with Suzanne
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@suzanneculberg
Website: https://www.suzanneculberg.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzanne_culberg/

Support the show

Support this free content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1547113/supporters/new
Get The Happy Doc Student Handbook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578333732
Other resources at: http://Expandyourhappy.com

Want to make my day? Rate, review, subscribe & share with someone you love.

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal

NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal

Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.