Getting Control Back When Feeling Overwhelmed

Getting Control Back When Feeling Overwhelmed

From Aunty Treacle by Anna Keen and Stuart Hughes

September 24, 2025 · 49 min

About this episode

This episode discusses strategies to regain control and focus when feeling overwhelmed by work demands.

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 & Strategies Take a Breath and Step Back The 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 perspective Like a chess grandmaster observing the board rather than just making the next move Brief pauses for reflection (alone or with colleagues) can reset clarity and priorities Sometimes doing something isn't the…

Topics covered

  • overwhelm
  • work management
  • productivity
  • focus
  • personal development

Keywords

  • control
  • reactive
  • proactive
  • clarity
  • priorities

More episodes of Aunty Treacle

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Aunty Treacle podcast page.