Episode 170: Learn how to pause before reacting, understand your emotions, and make more mindful choices with the SQUID method.
What if you could create a pause between what happens and how you respond? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mel “The Squid Lady” Ganas, educator, behavioral science expert, and creator of the SQUID method, to explore how neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness can help us make better decisions and improve our quality of life.
Mel shares how the SQUID method was created to help people pause and ask questions before making emotionally driven decisions, why understanding what is happening “between our ears” can help us avoid unnecessary mistakes, and how curiosity can change the way we respond to uncertainty and stress. She also opens up about her own experiences during the pandemic, caring for her mom, entrepreneurship, and learning to recognize when she needs to take a breath and reset.
From managing difficult emotions and preserving relationships to responding differently during times of crisis, this conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone who wants to think more clearly, make fewer bad choices, and create more mindful responses.
Key Takeaways
- When something feels wrong, pause and ask questions before reacting or making a decision.
- The SQUID method helps you stop, question what is happening, imagine your choices, and consciously decide on a plan instead of relying on autopilot.
- Taking a breath and creating space between emotion and action can help prevent unnecessary conflict and preserve important relationships.
- Curiosity and understanding can help us respond to uncertainty and difficult situations with greater clarity instead of fear or panic.
- We can make fewer bad choices by slowing down, considering our options, and taking responsibility for the decisions we make.
Whether you’re navigating stress, managing relationships, leading others, or simply trying to make better decisions, this episode of Engaging Virtual Meetings offers a powerful reminder: whenever you feel like something is wrong, stop, ask better questions, imagine your choices, and decide consciously.
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Connect with Sarah Ohanesian:
Website: https://linktr.ee/drmelganus
Connect with John Chen:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceojohnchen/
