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EPISODE · May 12, 2026 · 14 MIN

The Expectation Trap: When 'Should' Becomes Your Worst Enemy

from The Burnout Recovery Podcast · host Dr Jo Braid

In this episode, Dr. Jo explores the toxic "should" statements that plague healthcare professionals and fuel burnout. She shares personal stories about breaking free from perfectionist expectations and introduces the powerful concept of "Gap vs. Gain" thinking from Dr Ben Hardy and Dan Sullivan's transformative book. Learn practical tools to distinguish between realistic professional standards and exhausting perfectionist expectations, including how to handle modern challenges like patients bringing AI-generated diagnoses to consultations. Dr. Jo provides actionable strategies to shift from self-criticism to self-compassion while maintaining clinical excellence. Resources Mentioned:"The Gap and the Gain" by Ben Hardy and Dan SullivanJournal of Occupational Health Psychology (2023 study on perfectionist expectations)Dr. Kristin Neff's research on self-compassionStanford Medical School research on healthcare professional expectations Connect with Dr. Jo:Join the weekly newsletter https://drjobraid.comFollow on social media www.instagram.com/burnoutrecoverydrShare your "should audit" insights with the community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published May 12, 2026

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