Intro:
Engineers pride themselves on “handling it all.” But let’s be real—you’re not multitasking. You’re bleeding time and energy through poor task switching. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down why context switching wrecks your focus, how to stop draining your energy every time your attention shifts, and the systems that top performers use to stay sharp and deliver under pressure.
Not theory—practical, tactical advice you can use today to regain control of your time and output.

Key Topics Covered:
• The truth: No one actually multitasks—they just switch faster (or worse).
• Why poor task switching is killing your productivity and focus.
• The hidden “reset tax” that costs you hours each week.
• How cognitive load compounds across multiple projects.
• Tactical time blocking to reduce switch frequency.
• Setting communication rules to protect your deep work blocks.
• Using environment resets to maintain focus and clarity.
• Why meetings, emails, and “quick questions” destroy flow.
• The difference between urgency and priority in managing tasks.
• How to plan your energy like a project resource—because it is.

Actionable Steps:
• Create a “loose ends” list for each project before switching tasks.
• Close loops—document next steps before moving to the next thing.
• Block 2 uninterrupted hours daily for focused work—protect it.
• Use 3–5 minute buffers between meetings to reset and refocus.
• Schedule check-ins and communications at fixed times daily.
• Keep project packets with current status, notes, and next actions.
• Prioritize heavy cognitive tasks early in your energy curve.
• Limit open projects—fewer tabs, higher output.
• Track how long it takes you to “re-enter flow” after interruptions.
• End each day with a 10-minute project recap and tomorrow’s plan.

Who This Episode Is For:
• Engineers constantly interrupted by meetings and messages.
• High performers stuck in reactive mode instead of strategic execution.
• New engineers struggling to juggle multiple projects.
• Leaders trying to build systems, not chaos.
• Anyone who feels drained by constant context shifts.

Why It Matters:
Mastering task switching is the secret to sustained performance and leadership readiness. You can’t lead if you’re always catching up. Energy, focus, and discipline compound—so when you protect them, your visibility, reliability, and results skyrocket. The engineers who master this don’t just get more done—they move up faster because their work speaks for itself.

Where to Listen:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts.

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If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

In this episode, manufacturing engineer Brooke MacFee joins Jake and Steve to share hard-earned lessons from her path across biomedical, aerospace, and small-scale manufacturing. From taking jobs out of necessity to leading teams before she felt ready, Brooke’s story hits every early-career engineer who’s still finding their footing. This conversation cuts through theory—it’s practical, tactical advice on how to become the kind of engineer people trust, respect, and remember.

Key Topics Covered

• How to stop underestimating yourself and build real confidence through action
• Why “hands-on” engineers earn more respect than those who just model or analyze
• The real reason you shouldn’t hide behind your resume
• The power of authenticity—how Brooke’s “powerlifting” line landed her a job offer
• What “paper engineers” get wrong about credibility and growth
• The value of saying “I don’t know” in interviews—and what to say next
• Lessons learned from bad management and early-career missteps
• How to navigate bias and authority as a young or female engineer
• Turning early mistakes into long-term career assets
• Why every job—good or bad—teaches you something you’ll need later

Actionable Steps

• Ask questions early and often—especially when you don’t know the answer
• Always get hands-on; build something, fix something, learn from doing
• Add personal details to your resume that show who you really are
• When you’re new, sit with technicians and operators—learn their world
• Don’t overcompensate with authority; lead with curiosity and competence
• Practice humility in interviews—your thinking process matters more than perfection
• Visit every facility before accepting an offer—see the culture with your own eyes
• Apply the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize what actually moves your career
• Eliminate distractions that don’t serve your growth or goals
• Focus on solving more problems than you create—every single day

Who This Episode Is For

• Engineers early in their careers who feel overlooked or unsure where they fit
• Those afraid to interview or explore new roles while still employed
• Technical pros who want to lead without losing credibility
• Engineers ready to stop playing it safe and start owning their path
• Anyone who’s ever been told they’re “too quiet,” “too new,” or “too different”

Why It Matters

Being impactful isn’t about titles or talk—it’s about results. The engineers who grow fastest aren’t the loudest or the smartest. They’re the ones who stay real, stay curious, and keep their hands dirty. Confidence isn’t built by pretending—it’s built by doing.

Connect with Brooke

💼 LinkedIn – Brooke MacFee

Where to Listen

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts

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If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.

Most engineers chase outcomes—titles, numbers, recognition. But outcomes are a lagging indicator of your inputs. In this episode, Jake and Steve break down how to flip your focus from results to repetition, from motivation to momentum, and from willpower to discipline. This isn’t theory—it’s practical, tactical advice for engineers who want to build consistency, find purpose in the process, and eliminate burnout by taking control of their environment.

Key Topics Covered:
• Why chasing outcomes keeps you stuck in frustration loops. • The mindset shift from “goals” to “inputs” that changes everything. • How pursuit—not purpose—is the sustainable path forward. • Why environment design beats willpower every time. • The compounding effect of daily discipline on career and life. • Why focusing on what you control eliminates anxiety and burnout. • How to audit your environment to make success automatic. • The hidden trap of tying identity to short-term results. • How to use friction and focus as engineering tools for behavior change. • The difference between being intentional and being obsessive.

Actionable Steps:
• Identify one pursuit and commit to it daily without outcome pressure. • Write five “non-negotiable” inputs that define your productive day. • Design your environment for when you’re weak—not when you’re strong. • Replace “motivation rituals” with discipline habits that scale. • Audit your workspace, friend group, and habits for friction points. • Track consistency, not results—inputs are your scorecard. • When willpower fades, rely on systems that make execution default. • Build momentum through compounding small wins, not big goals. • Redefine purpose as a pursuit that evolves with your season of life. • Surround yourself with people who reinforce your direction, not your comfort.

Who This Episode Is For:
• Engineers tired of setting goals and never feeling fulfilled. • Overachievers battling burnout from chasing the next milestone. • ICs who want control, clarity, and consistency in their careers. • Engineers who want to build habits that last when motivation dies. • Anyone trying to find balance between ambition and peace.

Why It Matters:
Because purpose isn’t found—it’s built. And it’s built through pursuit, discipline, and ownership of your environment. When you stop chasing results and start mastering your inputs, you remove friction, regain control, and create a system that compounds energy, confidence, and visibility. This is how high-performing engineers lead without burnout—by engineering their behavior the same way they engineer products: with intention.

Where to Listen:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts.

Share:
If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth—just like the best careers do.