You Are Not A Frog artwork

Episode 65 - Passing the Naughty Monkey Back with Dr Amit Sharma

You Are Not A Frog

English - February 02, 2021 08:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MB - ★★★★★ - 1 rating
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Dr Amit Sharma joins to discuss the effects of taking on too many of other people’s burdens and how you can prevent them from weighing you down.

Episode Highlights

[05:28] What Is A Naughty Monkey?

Naughty monkeys are burdens that clients carry.These burdens sometimes stay and weigh down on professionals like doctors and lawyers.

[08:58] What Happens If You Don’t Give The Naughty Monkeys Back?

We become drained and burdened.We end up developing a cycle wherein patients unburden their issues, and they weigh us down.

[10:59] What Really Burdens Us

We are burdened by ownership and responsibilities.Our client’s naughty monkeys are not for us to own or take away.Stay professional and set a boundary.

[18:16] What Do We Do When We Fear Complaints?

Complaints may lead to us overly taking responsibility because we want to please and be liked.

[22:23] How to Take Off the Role of the Rescuer

If we can’t give the victim a solution for their problem, we are put into the persecutor role and receive complaints.Understanding the consultation and dynamics at play help us unpack and change the way we consult. 

[24:36] How to Spot If You Are in a Rescuer Role

Signs of being a rescuer include struggling with managing your workload and personal dissatisfaction with work.

[29:59] The Cost of Saying Yes to Everything

Patients are not empowered to manage their health.It can cost you your colleagues, other clinicians and your patients.

[34:16] The Superhero Complex

The hero complex is using prescriptions to solve people’s problems.Medication creates dependency. 

[40:59] How To Hand Back Naughty Monkeys

Understand the actual issues during the consultation.Make it clear that you and the patient are in a partnership.Seek the perspective of someone outside work or with a different personality.Seek other avenues of support

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Podcast Links

Permission to Thrive CPD club for doctorsMedics Money PodcastConnect with Amit: LinkedInE27: On pandemic stress and anxietyE36: On COVID fatigueE63: How to Survive Even When Times are Tough


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