Happy Doc Student Podcast

The Good Goodbye: How to End Your Doctoral Journey with Grace & Ease, with Dr. Gladys Ato

Heather Frederick, PhD Episode 17

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Gladys Ato, PsyD,  is a leadership mentor, clinical psychologist, public speaker, grief specialist, and author of The Good Goodbye: How to Navigate Change and Loss in Life, Love, and Work. She teaches community leaders to amplify their joy and leadership in uncertain times using The Good Goodbye® approach. Recognized as a Latina leader by Hispanic Executive magazine and winner of the Women Worth Watching in Education award, Dr. Ato is featured in BBC WorkLife, Forbes, TEDx Lincoln Square, NBC News and other top publications and podcasts. 

The word “Goodbye” is associated with feelings like sadness, anger, & anxiety.

So, how can we have a GOOD Goodbye?

Understand how to embrace both ends of the emotional spectrum so that you can process your loss in a way that allows you to move forward with grace and ease. 

How can you look at transition through a different lens?

Recognize this as a right of passage that you are going through so you can be liberated by the loss.

Five Pillars to a Good-Goodbye  (note: This is an on-going dance; a sacred practice)

1.     Acceptance: Acceptance is NOT the final destination; what if you start here? Can you recognize what has happened without trying to change it? This is a powerful re-positioning of your energy.

2.     Understanding: How do you accept the change/your decision without judgement? Be intentional regarding what you desire. Where do you want to go?

3.     Gratitude: A healing salve for your heart. Look at the situation and ask: What am I learning? What can I appreciate here? What is the opportunity that may come? (you can even be grateful that you are trying to be grateful!)

4.     Forgiveness: Starts with you. Can you forgive yourself? Then others?

5.     Saying Goodbye: Ritualize this; honor it as a rite of passage (it can be as simple as lighting a candle). Say goodbye to what you are letting go and welcoming in the magic that is on the other side (yes, there is MAGIC on the other side…if you are open to it!). Remember: YOU get to CHOOSE how you are saying goodbye.

Save yourself 5 years of therapy: Get curious about the root of your FEAR.

Don’t be indebted to perceptions & expectations that don’t serve you - don’t deny your own evolution. 

“If you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello.” 

--Paulo Coelho

Reset Your Nervous System with the RESET REMEDY
Reset Remedy available here: https://drgladysato.com/gift/

Connect with Dr. Gladys Ato:
Website: https://www.drgladysato.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.gladys.ato
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gladysato
Facebook: ht

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