Why We Don't Need To Be Superhuman
The Choice Space with Dr Lee David
55 views
What does it really take to perform at our best – without trying to be superhuman? Dr Susie Muir joins Dr Lee David to rethink high performance and explore why rest, recovery, self-awareness and knowing what matters to us can help us achieve more sustainably.
We look at why constantly pushing ourselves to do more can eventually work against us – and why making space for recovery doesn’t mean lowering our standards. Understanding our strengths, capacity and what gives or drains our energy can help us make more intentional choices about where to put our effort.
We also consider what happens to our brains when we are stressed or under pressure. Why doesn’t multitasking work in the way we think it does? How can prolonged stress affect memory, decision making and insight? And what signs might tell us that it’s time to step away, even when part of us wants to keep going?
Drawing on thousands of conversations with people approaching the end of life, we reflect on what really matters when we look back on our lives. Connection, everyday moments and making space for what we genuinely value can easily be squeezed out when productivity and busyness take over.
This is a conversation about redefining high performance – not by achieving less, but by finding more sustainable ways to pursue what matters without expecting ourselves to be superhuman.
01:08 Why we strive to be superhuman
04:46 Rest, recovery and performance
06:50 The pressure to look perfect
11:44 What matters at the end of life
17:28 Rethinking high performance
22:52 Strengths, values and priorities
25:40 Boundaries and saying yes
27:05 Why multitasking doesn’t work
31:52 How stress affects performance
36:25 Recognising when we need a break
42:45 Permission to be human
About the host
Dr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website (www.thechoicespace.co.uk) and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david) and LinkedIn. You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here: https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david
About the guest
Dr Susie Muir has been a doctor for 20 years and is dual trained in general practice and palliative care. She is also a professional life and leadership coach, focusing on leading ourselves in order to lead others. After years of working in palliative care and thousands of conversations with people at the end of their lives, Susie is determined to support people to perform at their best at home, at work and in life.
Why We Don't Need To Be Superhuman
The Choice Space with Dr Lee David
55 views
What does it really take to perform at our best – without trying to be superhuman? Dr Susie Muir joins Dr Lee David to rethink high performance and explore why rest, recovery, self-awareness and knowing what matters to us can help us achieve more sustainably.
We look at why constantly pushing ourselves to do more can eventually work against us – and why making space for recovery doesn’t mean lowering our standards. Understanding our strengths, capacity and what gives or drains our energy can help us make more intentional choices about where to put our effort.
We also consider what happens to our brains when we are stressed or under pressure. Why doesn’t multitasking work in the way we think it does? How can prolonged stress affect memory, decision making and insight? And what signs might tell us that it’s time to step away, even when part of us wants to keep going?
Drawing on thousands of conversations with people approaching the end of life, we reflect on what really matters when we look back on our lives. Connection, everyday moments and making space for what we genuinely value can easily be squeezed out when productivity and busyness take over.
This is a conversation about redefining high performance – not by achieving less, but by finding more sustainable ways to pursue what matters without expecting ourselves to be superhuman.
01:08 Why we strive to be superhuman
04:46 Rest, recovery and performance
06:50 The pressure to look perfect
11:44 What matters at the end of life
17:28 Rethinking high performance
22:52 Strengths, values and priorities
25:40 Boundaries and saying yes
27:05 Why multitasking doesn’t work
31:52 How stress affects performance
36:25 Recognising when we need a break
42:45 Permission to be human
About the host
Dr Lee David is a GP, CBT therapist and author specialising in mental health and wellbeing. Lee has written many books on CBT, mindfulness and teen wellbeing, and speaks regularly at conferences and in the media. Away from work she enjoys running, hiking, singing in a choir and spending time outdoors with her family. You can find Lee through her website (www.thechoicespace.co.uk) and on Instagram, TikTok (@dr.lee.david) and LinkedIn. You can find more about her books, wellbeing courses and therapy here: https://linktr.ee/dr.lee.david
About the guest
Dr Susie Muir has been a doctor for 20 years and is dual trained in general practice and palliative care. She is also a professional life and leadership coach, focusing on leading ourselves in order to lead others. After years of working in palliative care and thousands of conversations with people at the end of their lives, Susie is determined to support people to perform at their best at home, at work and in life.