TheUPside Podcast

Confessions of a Control Freak: The Secret to Reducing Stress

Theresa Flood Episode 56

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0:00 | 12:11

Are you feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed? In this episode of The Upside Podcast, we dive into the root causes of stress and how to overcome them by focusing on what’s within your control.

Drawing inspiration from Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, we explore the "Circle of Concern," "Circle of Influence," and introduce the "Circle of Direct Control." Learn how to shift your focus to what truly matters—your mindset, habits, and responses—and discover how this approach can reduce stress, grow your influence, and bring peace to your life.

What You’ll Learn:

  • The three circles and how they impact stress and influence
  • Why misplaced responsibility leads to anxiety
  • Practical examples for applying these principles in business, parenting, and leadership
  • How to identify and release what isn’t yours to control

Take actionable steps to reduce stress today:

  1. Identify what’s causing you stress.
  2. Map it into the three circles.
  3. Focus on your circle of direct control.

Visit theresaflood.com to access the teaching guide for this episode, available Thursday. Use it for journaling, personal growth, or teaching others in your team or coaching groups.

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