The Impactful Engineer Project - Mentorship, Career Growth, and Personal & Professional Excellence for Aspiring Engineers
Spreading awareness, success, and accessibility to the world of engineering to aspiring and early career engineers.
The Impactful Engineer Project - Mentorship, Career Growth, and Personal & Professional Excellence for Aspiring Engineers
Episode 150 - You’re Not Overwhelmed. You’re Avoiding Action
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Most engineers don’t struggle with anxiety because they have too much to do. They struggle because they don’t take action on the right things. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down how anxiety shows up in your career, what’s actually causing it, and how to eliminate it through execution. Not theory, practical, tactical advice you can apply immediately to regain control of your time, energy, and performance.
Key Topics Covered:
• Why most workplace anxiety is tied to avoidance, not workload
• How to identify the 1–2 real drivers behind your stress
• The concept of “spiraling” and how engineers trap themselves mentally
• Why action is the fastest way to reduce anxiety
• How overplanning and perfectionism create paralysis
• The 3–5 task rule to regain control of your day
• Why reps and repetition eliminate fear in presentations and interviews
• How practicing adjacent skills builds real confidence
• The danger of judging your own execution too early
• How to separate what you can control vs what you can’t
Actionable Steps:
• Identify the exact 1–2 things causing your anxiety, not the noise
• Take immediate action on what you can control, even if imperfect
• Write down your top 3–5 priorities for the day and execute them fully
• Limit your task list to what you can realistically complete
• Use time blocks or focused work sessions to create momentum
• If something can’t be solved today, create a clear plan for tomorrow
• Stop waiting for the “perfect” approach before starting
• Build reps through low-stakes practice before high-stakes moments
• Avoid self-judgment while you’re still in the learning phase
• Eliminate or ignore stressors that are completely outside your control
Who This Episode Is For:
• Engineers who feel constantly overwhelmed but aren’t making progress
• Early-career professionals stuck in overthinking and hesitation
• High performers dealing with creeping burnout or mental fatigue
• Engineers preparing for presentations, interviews, or increased visibility
• Anyone struggling to shut off work and be present outside of it
Why It Matters:
Anxiety isn’t just a feeling. It’s a signal that something is unresolved. If you don’t take control of it, it will drain your energy, reduce your performance, and stall your career growth. Engineers who learn to act decisively, focus on what matters, and build confidence through execution separate themselves fast.
Where to Listen:
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Or wherever you get your podcasts
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