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Positively Living®: Shame-Free Productivity Conversations

The Positively LivingⓇ podcast is designed to help you prioritize your passions, personalize your approach to life, and achieve your goals without the burnout. If you're an overwhelmed multi-tasker, multi-passionate, people pleaser, creative, and/or caregiver, you'll love this mix of solo and special guest episodes. With topics like productivity, self-awareness, personal development, habits + systems, decluttering + organizing, positivity, stress management, trauma + grief, entrepreneurship, and more, you’ll find actionable advice, wrapped in humor and hope, dedicated to helping you do less, live more, and breathe easier.

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Positively Living®: Shame-Free Productivity Conversations

Why Self-Compassion Matters More Than You Think

February 16, 2026 • Lisa Zawrotny • Episode 301

0:00 | 16:59

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So many of us are quick to say things like, “I need to be kinder to myself,” and I think we truly believe that. But the minute we fail to get something done, lose track of time, or struggle, our inner voice turns harsh. For us high achievers, especially, this is an unfortunate natural reaction. The problem is that we don’t realize how much that critical inner voice is costing us. This week, episode 301 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about why self-compassion matters more than you think!

In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, I’m diving into why the “try harder” mentality often backfires, and I give you actionable steps to take right now to practice self-compassion as the necessary foundation for true productivity and emotional regulation.

Key takeaways:

Self-compassion isn’t a vague feeling; it’s a system of self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness.
While self-awareness is the ultimate productivity tool, self-compassion is the environment that makes those tools work.
Your brain interprets self-criticism as a threat, triggering increased cortisol and bodily tension. In contrast, self-compassion helps regulate your nervous system.
Self-compassion is not about lowering your standards but about being honest without being cruel, making it more likely that you’ll take responsibility and repair mistakes.
Self-compassion is a skill that can be practiced and developed over time, even if it feels unnatural at first.

Self-compassion isn't about being nice to yourself when things are going perfectly; it’s about how you respond in the moments you lose momentum or fail to meet the plan. This week, try to simply notice your inner dialogue without trying to fix it. Awareness without judgment is your first step toward a more resilient life.

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Learn more about Positively LivingⓇ and Lisa at https://positivelyproductive.com/podcast/

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Ep 189: Why Compassion is Essential to Be More Productive

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