Welcome back to Aunty Treacle after the summer break!This episode tackles a universal challenge: feeling constantly overwhelmed by work coming at you at pace, feeling reactive rather than proactive, and struggling to focus on what truly matters and makes an impact.The Listener Question"Dear Aunty Treacle, I feel constantly overwhelmed as there is so much work coming at me at pace. As a result, I feel like I am constantly reacting and I don't feel like I am getting to the stuff that actually matters, makes a difference and makes an impact. Can you please help me get some control back and feel effective in my work?"Key Insights & StrategiesTake a Breath and Step BackThe Foundation: While feeling overwhelmed is normal, we must question how long we allow this to be "normal." The first step is recognizing when daily churn becomes ever-encroaching.The Balcony vs. Dance Floor Approach (Andrew Barrett's insight):Remove yourself from the situation to gain perspectiveLike a chess grandmaster observing the board rather than just making the next moveBrief pauses for reflection (alone or with colleagues) can reset clarity and prioritiesSometimes doing something isn't the solution—it can reinforce the overwhelm cyclePersonal Foundations FirstBefore tackling organizational issues, address your individual resilience:Maintain energy-giving activities: Don't stop going to the gym, reading, or other activities that help you perform"An empty vessel serves no one": Prioritize self-care to have the resilience for difficult conversationsEnergy management: Protect your energy, especially before busy seasonsSleep, exercise, nutrition: These become critical during high-demand periodsThe Art of Saying NoHell Yes or Hell No Framework (Derek Shivers):Instead of learning to say no, define what makes something a "yes"When you know your "yes" criteria, saying no becomes easier and less awkwardPowerful reframe: "If I say yes to this, what am I saying no to?"Subtraction over Addition:Focus on what to stop or pause, not just what to startTest approach: Don't do something for a month—if nobody notices, it's not a priorityPausing is less confrontational than stoppingPrioritization StrategiesThe Eisenhower Matrix & Beyond:Map tasks on urgent vs. important axesFocus on high health and safety impact, low effort activities where possibleTools mentioned: PARA method, Eisenhower Matrix, Dichotomy of ControlStrategic Questioning:What's the value? Is it actually making work safer or just making us feel better?What's the intended output and impact?If it doesn't fit within your organizational strategy, question why you're doing itDon't Chase Every Email:Some things resolve themselves if left aloneCreate space between stimulus and responseUse rules to manage inbox (filter "for info" emails into folders)Managing Perfectionism"Perfect is the enemy of good": Don't let perfection get in the way of better"Done is better than perfect": Sometimes action and progress matter more than a perfect finished productExperiment, fail fast, iterate, learn, evolveAsk: "Is it good enough?" Then get it out and test itTime and Energy ManagementTime Blocking Strategies:Block thinking time in your calendar (others just see "meetings")Be proactive about organizational cadences (monthly/quarterly reporting)Block out predictable busy periods in advanceEven if you don't finish everything, you make progressAnalyze Your Time Usage:Study how you actually spend time—it's your rarest resourceLook back at tasks and assess how they help achieve long-term goalsReflect daily: How did I use my time? How did this compare to my plan?Fact vs. Story: Video camera facts vs. stories we tell ourselvesTeam and Organizational StrategiesKnow Your Team's Strengths:Map activities to people's strengths and preferencesDon't carry people or make up for deficiencies elsewhereBe honest about whether you're being given more work because you're effectiveCommunication is Key:"You can't fix a secret": If nobody knows you're overwhelmed, nothing will changeHave honest conversations with managers about capacity and prioritiesAsk for help with reframing prioritiesSample approach: "I need to prioritize X, Y, Z, so I'm suggesting changing timescales for other deliverables"Sprint vs. Marathon Approach:Sometimes work like a lion—put intense energy where it's really neededKnow when you can take your foot off the gasShort bursts of focus on specific areas can create momentumReflection and CelebrationStop and celebrate wins: Look back over 6 months and acknowledge achievementsSafety professionals are humble—don't be afraid to wave your flagCommunicate successes to stakeholdersCounter the hamster wheel: We often don't pause to see how much we've actually accomplishedCommunity Insights SummaryJason Catterson - Frameworks & Reset Moments:Use practical tools: PARA method, Eisenhower Matrix, Dichotomy of ControlDon't chase every email—sometimes things resolve themselvesStep away to reset; even a few ...
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