One Thing at a Time: plans, pressure, and practice
Fri Jan 16 2026
January doesn’t need to be a fresh start on the 1st and social work doesn’t get easier when we set ourselves (and families) impossible expectations.
In this episode, I’m sharing my phrase for the year - one thing at a time - and why it matters for attention, overwhelm, and realistic planning (in practice and in life).
I also share what I’ve been reading lately, how it’s shaping my training, and I introduce an exciting new addition inside the Social Work Collective Academy: the Practice Pause Library: short, guided pauses designed for real social work moments (before home visits, during overwhelm, and after heightened situations).
I’ll also leave you with five small, realistic ways to create space when January feels heavy including why three minutes can be enough to shift your day.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome back + permission for a slow start to January
01:26 Plans, pressure, and unrealistic expectations (in life + in practice)
04:57 Phrase of the year: One thing at a time (attention + multitasking myth)
12:21 What I’ve been reading (fiction + nonfiction) + why it matters
24:09 What’s influencing my training right now (mind-body, mindset, calm first)
26:21 New inside the Collective Academy: the Practice Pause Library
30:53 Five ways to feel less overwhelmed in January
40:57 What’s coming next (free reset + direct work + guests)
42:57 Closing Practice Pause
Lets connect!
To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com
Sign up to my free newsletter
Join The Collective
Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com
LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin
Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_
Youtube.com/@socialworksorted
Facebook.com/socialworksorted
Disclaimer
Thank you so much for listening.
Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.
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January doesn’t need to be a fresh start on the 1st and social work doesn’t get easier when we set ourselves (and families) impossible expectations. In this episode, I’m sharing my phrase for the year - one thing at a time - and why it matters for attention, overwhelm, and realistic planning (in practice and in life). I also share what I’ve been reading lately, how it’s shaping my training, and I introduce an exciting new addition inside the Social Work Collective Academy: the Practice Pause Library: short, guided pauses designed for real social work moments (before home visits, during overwhelm, and after heightened situations). I’ll also leave you with five small, realistic ways to create space when January feels heavy including why three minutes can be enough to shift your day. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome back + permission for a slow start to January 01:26 Plans, pressure, and unrealistic expectations (in life + in practice) 04:57 Phrase of the year: One thing at a time (attention + multitasking myth) 12:21 What I’ve been reading (fiction + nonfiction) + why it matters 24:09 What’s influencing my training right now (mind-body, mindset, calm first) 26:21 New inside the Collective Academy: the Practice Pause Library 30:53 Five ways to feel less overwhelmed in January 40:57 What’s coming next (free reset + direct work + guests) 42:57 Closing Practice Pause Lets connect! To book in a free 15 minute chat with me, to talk about training, development, courses or membership email vicki@socialworksorted.com Sign up to my free newsletter Join The Collective Email: vicki@socialworksorted.com LinkedIn: Vicki Shevlin Instagram.com/@vickishevlin_ Youtube.com/@socialworksorted Facebook.com/socialworksorted Disclaimer Thank you so much for listening. Please rate, review and share with one other person - it makes such a difference and I really appreciate your support.