The Growth Loop: Why Brilliant Women Keep Reaching for ‘One More Credential’
Manage episode 489306450 series 3476724
Overwhelm isn't just a fleeting feeling anymore—it's become the air we breathe. In this candid conversation, Sabina and Jo explore why we're all feeling caught in this collective chaos and how our desperate attempts to maintain control are actually making everything worse.
The world is undeniably chaotic right now. Between geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, workplace demands, and the rapid integration of AI into our lives, it's no wonder we're all feeling stretched beyond capacity. But rather than acknowledging our limitations, many of us respond by gripping tighter to whatever we can control—often micromanaging our families, perfecting insignificant details, and taking on more responsibilities despite being already overwhelmed.
Sabina shares the powerful metaphor of the "runaway train" of busyness that gains such momentum we forget how to apply the brakes. Meanwhile, our bodies send urgent signals through racing thoughts at bedtime, middle-of-the-night email checking, and physical restlessness. The counterintuitive truth is that slowing down isn't just nice—it's necessary for our survival and success.
The most liberating realization? You have permission to say no, to disappoint others occasionally, and to focus on what truly matters. Instead of spreading yourself thin across countless obligations, try this simple exercise: identify one thing to focus on wholeheartedly, one thing to drop completely, and one thing to do for your body or spirit that brings joy. Remember—your worth isn't measured by how busy you are. Take our burnout archetype quiz to discover the patterns driving your particular brand of busyness and receive practical micro-dose strategies to reclaim your power, peace and presence.
To view the Transcript from this week's episode, visit our Balance & Beyond Podcast webpage: https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast/2025/102
Thank you for joining us today on the Balance and Beyond Podcast. We're so glad you carved out this time for yourself!
If you’re keen to dive deeper into our world, here are our socials where you can discover more about the toolkit that has helped thousands of women create a life of balance.
Website: www.balanceinstitute.com
Podcast Website: https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betterbalanceinstitute/
Instagram: @betterbalanceinstitute
Thanks again for tuning in, and we'll see you next time on the Balance & Beyond Podcast!
Chapters
1. Collective Chaos and Modern Overwhelm (00:00:00)
2. The Control Trap in Uncertain Times (00:01:57)
3. Overfunctioning and Perfectionism Pitfalls (00:05:05)
4. Your Body's Warning Signals (00:09:12)
5. Prevention Over Cure (00:14:40)
6. Letting Go and Taking Back Control (00:17:52)
119 episodes