Psychologically Speaking with Leila Ainge

Why do goals that feel exciting at first suddenly become exhausting even when we care deeply about them?In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, I explore why goals often become unsustainable not because of a lack of motivation or discipline, but because they’re designed for ideal conditions rather than real life.Drawing on psychology, environmental thinking, and embodied cognition, we look at how our physical and emotional environments quietly shape what we’re able to sustain long before willpower ever comes into play.You’ll be introduced to the concept of solastalgia, a term that describes the distress we feel when the places we call home change in ways that feel out of our control. Originally coined by environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht, solastalgia helps us put language to a sense of discomfort many of us feel right now — at home, at work, and in the wider world.We also explore:Why goal-setting advice often assumes a resource-neutral worldHow embodied cognition explains the link between clutter, noise, uncertainty and mental fatigueWhy living in a brittle, anxious, non-linear environment (often described as BANI or VUCA) quietly drains our capacityHow Conservation of Resources theory reframes burnout, confidence loss, and stalled momentumWhy sustainability isn’t the opposite of ambition — it’s the condition that allows momentum to existRather than asking “How much more can I push?”, this episode invites a different question:What can my current environment realistically support without depletion?You’ll leave with two practical reflections to help you:Name your real working environment (without minimising it)Redesign your goals so they create more resources than they consumeThis episode is especially relevant if you’re:Feeling stuck or depleted despite caring about your goalsParenting, creating, caregiving, coaching, or leading in uncertain conditionsQuestioning whether the problem is you — or the system you’re operating withinFind out more about booking me as a researcher for hire at www.leilaainge.co.uk

In this deeply honest and energising episode of Psychologically Speaking, Dany Johnston — data & AI consultant, documentary filmmaker, and PhD researcher — shares her most ambitious and vulnerable goal yet: to create and release a new documentary filmed during a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to the Arctic Circle.Dany’s story is one of dual passions: 25 years in business transformation and data, and a lifelong pull toward storytelling, creativity, and human rights. Her PhD bridges those worlds, exploring how data harvesting and AI shape the human rights landscape — and how documentary can help everyday people join conversations that usually happen behind closed doors.But 2026 isn’t about theory. It’s about exposure.The kind she’s avoided for years.Dany openly shares her “abject fear of judgment,” the reason projects from New York still sit on a hard drive, and why this year must be different. Her measure of success? Not just making a film — but submitting it to the festival circuit.

A conversation about creative confidence, goal setting, and how sharing your work builds self-worth. Designer Bhavini joins Leila to explore fear, visibility, and growth.In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila Ainge sits down with creative designer Bhavini (B81 Designs) to explore the psychology behind creative confidence, self-worth, and setting goals that stretch you.Bhavini shares the now-iconic story of her childhood Peter Rabbit — the rainbow-drenched sculpture her mum repainted white — and how that moment shaped her creative identity decades later. It becomes a powerful metaphor for self-expression, suppression, and the courage to show the work you’re proud of.💡 What’s inside this episodeHow childhood experiences quietly shape creative identityWhy sharing your work feels terrifying — even when clients love itThe difference between confidence, self-esteem, and self-worthHow fear of rejection stops creatives from posting their workThe “imagined audience” and why visibility feels riskyPractical strategies for building a habit of sharingWhy accountability, community, and collaboration matterHow one difficult client situation derailed Bhavini’s motivation The value of starting a goal that’s really about self-worth, not perfection🎯 Bhavini’s 2026 GoalTo share more of her design work online ,consistently, visibly, and beyond her comfort zone , and to build self-worth by doing the thing she’s been avoiding.With tools like the Rejection Challenge, a bingo card of self-sabotage phrases, and reframing portfolio updates as self-worth time, the episode shows what it looks like to set a goal that genuinely grows you.🧠 Why this episode mattersIf you’ve ever hesitated to show your work, doubted your abilities, or worried about being judged online, this conversation will land deeply. It’s about identity, self-expression, and the quieter psychology behind creative careers.🔗 MentionedB81 Designs (Bhavini)Doing It For the Kids CommunityBeing FreelanceLiz Mosley & The Rejection ChallengeHannah Isted🚀 Join the 2026 Goal SprintWant your own ambitious, exciting 2026 goal — the kind that assumes you can grow from day one? Join Leila’s 60-minute live Goal Sprint.www.leilaainge.co.uk/goalsprint

In this episode of Psychologically Speaking: The Goal Experiments, Lucy shares her 2026 goal, not just for her business, but for the women who benefit when she succeeds.We talk about what it means to set a goal that has social impact. Lucy’s ambition is grounded in something practical: helping more women secure meaningful contracts and build financially independent businesses. This is a grounded, thoughtful conversation about the kind of goal that changes not just a business, but the people around it. If you’re setting your own 2026 intentions, Lucy’s clarity and ambition might be exactly the nudge you need.SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE LINKSwww.lucygreen.nethttps://www.instagram.com/lucygreencoaching/

Why do some goals stick while others fade?In this episode, psychologist Leila Ainge explores the psychology behind effective goal-setting — blending insights from real conversations with three guests and research on motivation, social identity, and resilience.You’ll hear how Rebecca, Jen, and Darren each navigate creative ambition, self-belief, and belonging, and how their stories reveal the deeper psychological forces shaping success.Expect practical reflection points on:The difference between approach and avoidance motivationWhy flexible four-week check-ins outperform rigid plansHow your social identity shapes confidence and actionWhat it means to design goals that fit who you’re becomingThis is your psychology-backed guide to setting goals that work with your identity, not against it.Ready to stop guessing what’s driving your goals?Download your free Goal Reflection Log — the first exercise from my psychology-backed coaching framework — and start your next check-in, not check-up.Create space to think before the new year rush and design goals that actually fit who you’re becoming.👉 www.leilaainge.co.uk/coaching

In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge talks with Rebecca Slater, who’s setting a powerful goal for 2026: to write her first book.Together they explore what it really takes to move from wanting to doing — overcoming procrastination, creating time, and building habits that last. Rebecca shares how shifting her mindset, using community support, and redefining success are helping her take the first steps toward authorship.This episode looks closely at the psychology of writing goals, the myth of the “perfect time,” and how accountability and self-compassion can turn creative aspirations into action.Plus, stay tuned for a sneak preview of next week’s guest, Darren Scotland, who shares his big ambition for 2026Key ThemesGoal setting and mindset shiftsOvercoming procrastinationTime management Writing habits and creative disciplineAccountability and community supportwww.leilaainge.co.uk