Podcast Summary: Mantra with Jemma Sbeg – Episode: "I Trust Myself to Make the Best Decision With What I Know Now" (Released March 10, 2025)
Introduction
In this insightful episode of Mantra with Jemma Sbeg, hosted by Gemma Spag under the OpenMind banner, listeners are guided through the empowering mantra: "I trust myself to make the best decision with what I know now." Gemma delves deep into the nuances of self-trust, decision-making, and personal growth, offering a blend of personal anecdotes, psychological insights, and practical advice to help listeners navigate life's uncertainties with confidence.
Personal Updates: Highs, Lows, and Who Knows
Gemma kicks off the episode by sharing a personal update about her newfound passion for Reformer Pilates. Transitioning from high-intensity workouts like boxing and HIIT, she discovered Pilates at the start of the year and quickly became enamored with its benefits for both body and mind.
"I have become a bit of a Pilates princess. I have begun doing Reformer Pilates now." [04:05]
She highlights how Pilates has not only enhanced her physical well-being but also improved her cognitive focus and rhythmic attunement with her body.
Exploring the Mantra: "I Trust Myself to Make the Best Decision With What I Know Now"
Debunking the Myth of Perfect Decisions
Gemma challenges the common misconception that there exists a "one best decision" at every crossroads in life. She emphasizes the improbability of making flawless choices consistently, given the inherent uncertainties and limited information available at any decision point.
"Making the most perfect decision is not actually something that we can always do because we don't always have the information that hindsight kind of provides." [05:13]
Decision Paralysis and Regret: Action vs. Inaction
The discussion shifts to the concept of decision paralysis or choice overload, where an abundance of options leads to heightened anxiety and inaction. Gemma references a pivotal study on regret, revealing that people often regret inaction more than action. This insight underscores the importance of making decisions, even imperfect ones, to avoid long-term regrets.
"You are more likely to regret inaction than action." [08:47]
Self-Trust and Intuition
Central to the mantra is the cultivation of self-trust. Gemma explores how trusting one's intuition involves relying on the information at hand while having faith in one's ability to handle future outcomes. This balance fosters confidence and reduces the fear of making mistakes.
"Trust your instincts. Maybe even take a few minutes to meditate on it in silence, but make the decision." [34:49]
Resilience and Adapting to Outcomes
Gemma highlights human resilience, noting that regardless of decision outcomes, individuals possess the adaptability to thrive. She reassures listeners that no decision is irreversible and that growth often stems from learning through both successes and failures.
"We are highly adaptable creatures. So even if you may think that it’s the wrong decision, most of the time you can still progress and find a way out." [11:31]
Personal Stories from the Host
Relationship Regrets and Growth
Gemma shares a vulnerable account of a past relationship that, despite being fraught with regret and external criticism, ultimately led her to significant personal growth. Moving to Sydney post-relationship taught her the value of trusting her instincts and how missteps can pave the way for future successes.
"I trusted my intuition or what I thought was my intuition at the time and it led me astray. But actually, that wrong decision has led me to a lot of correct decisions." [18:02]
Quitting a Full-Time Job
Another poignant story involves Gemma's leap from a secure corporate role to self-employment. Despite fears and external doubts, this decision allowed her to pursue creative projects and achieve a fulfilling work-life balance, reinforcing the episode's central theme of self-trust.
"I took the leap of faith anyways. I stepped into this abyss of being self-employed... No decision is permanent." [20:21]
Deep Thought of the Day
Gemma shares a Maya Angelou quote that encapsulates the essence of the episode:
"Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." [24:03]
This thought encourages embracing past decisions as learning opportunities and underscores the continuous journey of personal development.
Applying the Mantra: Journal Prompts and Weekly Challenge
To help listeners internalize the mantra, Gemma provides three journal prompts:
- Decision-Making Style: Reflect on whether you rely more on logic, intuition, or external advice when faced with decisions and how this impacts your confidence. [28:38]
- Reframing Regrets: Identify past decisions you regret and reframe them as moments where you acted with the information you had at the time. [29:12]
- Positive Outcomes from Trust: Describe a time when trusting yourself led to a positive outcome and what you learned from that experience for future decisions. [29:24]
Additionally, Gemma introduces a weekly challenge urging listeners to identify and act upon a decision they've been overthinking or avoiding, reinforcing the importance of taking actionable steps towards trusting oneself.
Listener Engagement: Messages and DMs
Gemma engages with her audience by addressing listener messages:
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Tarek's Inquiry on Long-Distance Friendships: Gemma offers practical tips such as scheduling regular communication rituals and utilizing social media creatively to maintain connections.
"Make sure that you continue to create rituals so that they are still in your life." [31:52]
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Hannah's Reflection on Letting Go: Gratitude is expressed towards Hannah for courageously stepping away from a friendship out of genuine disconnection rather than obligation.
"I'm very proud of you for taking direct action on that." [32:21]
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In wrapping up, Gemma reiterates that trusting oneself is an ongoing practice, not a one-time achievement. She emphasizes that the act of making decisions, regardless of their perfection, builds the foundation for a resilient and intentional life.
"Trust that you're doing your best with what you know, and that's always been enough." [30:12]
Gemma encourages listeners to embrace their decision-making journeys with grace and confidence, reinforcing that each choice contributes to personal growth and fulfillment.
Final Quote
"Trusting yourself is a practice, not a destination. And each decision that you make with that confidence, even when the outcome is uncertain, it does genuinely strengthen your ability to navigate your life with grace, but also resilience." [30:12]
Connect with Mantra with Jemma Sbeg
Stay tuned for next week's episode, where Gemma will share insights from the current challenge and continue guiding you towards a more intentional and empowered life. To engage further, listeners are encouraged to reach out via Mantra OpenMind and share their experiences.
This summary captures the essence of Gemma Spag's episode, providing a comprehensive overview of the discussions, personal stories, and actionable advice shared to inspire and empower listeners in their journey of self-trust and decision-making.