2024 Was Overwhelming. Here’s How to Take Control in 2025.

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Morning, friend! ☕️ 

If you’re diving back into work,

I hope it’s been a smooth touchdown so far.

Let’s be honest - last year was burnt toast for most of us. (2024 is toast! Burnt toast...)

Change happened faster.
Deadlines loomed tighter.
Expectations were higher.

Everything is moving faster.

It’s easy to feel a sense of overwhelm.

The future is racing towards us at hyper speed:

• CES 2025 wrapped last week, and Jensen Huang unveiled some jaw-dropping hardware. This tech will supercharge agentic AI, self-driving cars, and robotics. (Robots are coming!)

• Open AI is set to release it’s Operator agentic AI tool in this month. I use chatgpt mostly, so excited to use OpenAI’s version of agent so I can move faster…

Sometimes, I feel like C-3PO in Star Wars, the chronic worrier…

What is the solution to this madness?

How do we avoid crippling stress and anxiety?

Stephen Covey’s “Circle of Influence” is the answer for me.

I discovered it a while back, and it really helped me manage life’s whirlwind.

Curious how it works, and how it can help you right now?

Grab your coffee and let’s chat ☕️ 

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“Too Much, Too Fast? Welcome to Modern Overwhelm”

Managers are struggling.

We are expected to do more with less.

But we’re barely keeping our heads above the water.

In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey offers a framework to help us swim rather than drown.

He distinguishes between what we worry about and what we can actually influence.

“When Worry Shrinks Your Power”

The trouble is that most of us focus on the Circle of Concern.

This is the big picture issues that alarm us: market volatility, organizational restructuring, or social upheavals.

The more energy we pour into these “uncontrollables”, the less bandwidth we have to act on what’s within our power and the more demotivated we become.

Over-focusing on the uncontrollable saps our drive, leads to scattered efforts, and amplifies the feeling of overwhelm. 

The result?

Instead of solving problems, we unintentionally let them multiply.

Projects stall, morale dips, and anxiety sky-rockets because nothing concrete is being fixed.

QUESTION: “How Can We Regain Control?”

Is there a better way to navigate mounting responsibilities and external chaos?

How can we realistically remain calm and effective in the face of constant changes we can’t stop or predict?

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ANSWER: “Focus Where It Counts—Your Circle of Influence”

Covey’s model invites you to turn your attention inward, to what he calls the Circle of Influence.

Why?

Because focusing on your circle of influence causes it to expand. This gives you more agency and power to solve challenges that were previously outside your circle of influence.

Here are three steps to help you do that:

1. Map Your Circles
   Draw two concentric circles. Label the outer ring “Circle of Concern” (uncontrollable factors like tech developments, politics or market shifts) and the inner ring “Circle of Influence” (team development, project planning, personal habits). Writing it all down often reveals that most of our concerns can’t be directly changed—but plenty of meaningful items are actually under our influence and control.

2. Limit the Noise
   Set boundaries for checking news or worrying about uncontrollable updates. For example, schedule 15 minutes a day to stay informed, but beyond that, keep your focus on tasks you can shape.

3. Build Skills to Expand Your Influence
   The more you invest in professional development, relationship-building, and leadership capabilities, the more issues move from “concern” to “influence.” Over time, you might gain the clout or know-how to tackle challenges that once felt out of reach.

Closing thoughts: Make the (influence) circle bigger

By acknowledging that life’s rapid pace and sky-high expectations won’t magically slow down, you give yourself permission to adopt a better strategy.

Covey’s Circle of Influence refocuses your energy where it truly matters.

It helps shrink your overwhelm and amplify your impact.

You’ll steadily strengthen your position as a proactive, resilient leader. One who knows how to steer the ship in stormy seas rather than succumbing to the waves.

Hope this sets you up nicely to deal with what’s coming in 2025 and beyond, my friend.

Have a great week, and catch you next monday! ☕️ 

PS: Robots are coming!

Read next Mon…

Vaugan

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