Home
>
Stress Management
>
Overwhelm: Love It or Leave It!

Overwhelm: Love It or Leave It!

Amazing thing, overwhelm!

You don't usually see it coming. It just kind of creeps up on you, doesn't it?

Even those of us who love juggling a million projects at a time get overwhelmed once in a while. And if you're happiest with just a couple projects on your plate? You might be looking at overwhelm a bit more often.

No matter how we like to work, I'd be willing to bet that all of us have been there at least a couple of times. And that we didn't much enjoy it....

So today I'll be sharing some practical ways to get out of overwhelm - fast - the next time you're right smack in the middle of it.

SO WHAT, EXACTLY, IS OVERWHELM?

Overwhelm is not having too many projects on your plate. It's not getting a really tough assignment. It's not having to juggle several things at once. Overwhelm is not being uncertain about where to head next.

Overwhelm isn't about the "what." It's about you.

No matter how many, or how crazy the projects you're working on, they're only a problem when you feel out of control ... or overwhelmed.

So what happens when you're overwhelmed? It's a bit different for everyone, of course. But overwhelm does come with some fairly common side effects.

Take a minute to think of the last time you felt overwhelmed. Which of the following did you experience:

? Physical reaction: upset stomach, headache, tiredness, sleeplessness, lack of energy, wired, etc.

? Mental activity: lots of ideas, pros and cons, worries, plans, possibilities, etc. bouncing around in your head

? Emotional reaction: upset, angry, sad, worried, irritable, detached, needy, etc.

However different our physical, mental, or emotional reactions to overwhelm, we usually end up in one place: stuck!

Which brings us to the next part of this article...

ONCE YOU'RE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF OVERWHELM, HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET OUT OF IT?

Well, there's no easy answer to this one.

I think the best strategy is to have lots of strategies. Then, when you're totally stuck, you can hopefully reach out and find something that'll work for you!

So here goes....

1 - Do something! Anything.

Find one thing that you can do, right away, to get one of the projects moving - and do it.

The key here is that It doesn't have to be a big thing, or an important thing. Just take one small step, right away.

Choose the pen you'll write that article with. Turn on your computer. Fill your water pitcher. Anything you do will help get you out of overwhelm, and into action

2 - Stop at three

I love to have lots of things on my plate. So one of the ways I used to get overwhelmed was to start too many projects at once.

Now (well, most of the time...) I've learned to limit myself to a maximum of three big projects at a time.

If there are more than three things I really want to work on, I choose three to start - and tuck the rest away in my "idea box."

Two benefits from this one.

First, I can avoid overwhelm by limiting the number of projects I'm working on at any one time.

Even better, I always have something to look forward to. And that's a great incentive for me to finish my active projects!

3 - Prioritize

Hey, I know, I know. When you're overwhelmed, prioritizing your projects may seem next to impossible.

So I'm not suggesting that you work out your priority list for the next several months - or even then next couple of days.

Keep it simple.

Just decide which project you're going to tackle first. You don't have to actually do anything. Just decide what you'll do first.

You'll be totally amazed at how much energy that'll free up for you!

4 - Toss something off your list

Which projects can go?

Someone once suggested a rule to me that's worked pretty well, so I'll share:

Every project you work on should have at least three benefits to you or your business.

For example, this newsletter helps me build the smART artist community, and it gives me the opportunity to write regularly (I love to write, so that's a personal benefit).

It's a great way to share information with fellow artists.

And the newsletter also provides a forum for announcing whatever new stuff I'm working on.

So those are my three (okay, four...) benefits.

Next time you're overwhelmed, look at the projects on your list. Which will benefit you in at least three ways? They're the keepers.

And the projects that don't have three benefits? Toss 'em!

Once you're out of overwhelm, come back to the projects you put aside, and see if you're perfectly happy without them - or if you'd like to tweak them so they do have three benefits for you.

5 - Come back from the future

Ever notice how overwhelm is usually all about the future?

What you'll do after...

What'll happen when...

How you'll feel if you can't...

How horrible it'll be if you don't...

How soon they'll find out that you...

Stop, stop, STOP!

Take a deep breath, and get a feel for where you are now.

Where are you sitting? What's around you? Are there any particular sensations in your body? Are you warm, or cool? Can you see outside? Are you alone? With others?

Notice what's going on right now. In this moment.

And from this space, think of the projects you'd like to work on. (Chances are they'll be a lot less scary, and not at all overwhelming.)

Where would you like to start?

From "now," you can go absolutely anywhere you like!

Best-selling author Kathy Gulrich helps clients get from idea, to action, to results - more quickly, and more easily - whether they're looking to write a book, develop a new product, or market their product or business. Clients love her direct, no-nonsense approach - and her gentle insistence on great results. Find out for yourself: Check out one of Kathy's teleclasses, or pick up a free worksheet, at http://www.smartbusinesscoaching.com

move in cleaning service Wilmette ..

In The News:

Privacy risks are hiding in plain sight, as your personal data is likely being collected, tracked, and sold without your knowledge.

VenHub, a fully autonomous, AI-powered smart store just opened at the LAX/Metro Transit Center in Los Angeles.

A woman's Facebook account takeover reveals dangerous social engineering tactics and provides lessons on recovery, avoiding scams and enacting stronger security measures.

Shanghai engineers are using 432 walking robots to relocate a complex, preserving Shikumen architecture while creating space for a modern underground hub and cultural center.

Major healthcare data analytics firm Episource had a cybersecurity incident exposing 5 million patients' medical records and personal information in recent breach.

A new sophisticated PayPal scam sends legitimate-looking emails from official PayPal addresses, using phone numbers instead of links to convince victims to download remote access tools.

Fox News' AI Newsletter brings you the latest on this rapidly evolving technology.

The innovative Kara Pod device extracts moisture from air to create mineral-rich water and brew coffee, featuring UV sterilization and compatibility with Nespresso pods.

Gov. Hochul unveiled New York's nuclear power plant project to power a million homes, which faces permit challenges while promising jobs and a cleaner energy future.

SAFE introduces Aerie, an underground luxury bunker combining high-end living with advanced security, wellness amenities and interactive walls simulating panoramic views.

A Facebook scammer posing as Elon Musk tricked a victim with promises of a Tesla and $250,000, requesting gift cards that become untraceable once the codes are shared.

Experience hands-free golfing with the Robera Neo smart caddie that uses AI to follow you, navigate obstacles and carry your clubs with GPS course mapping.

Cybersecurity alert: 16 billion passwords exposed in massive credential database affecting major platforms. Protect your accounts with password managers

The innovative BeBot robot uses electric power to remove pollution from shorelines, covering 20-30 times more area than manual collection while preserving wildlife.

A new ClickFix campaign targets macOS users with fake Spectrum support sites, tricking victims with CAPTCHA failures to paste commands that install information-stealing malware.

AI-powered autonomous trucks from Plus Automation are being tested across the U.S., Europe and Asia to solve logistics challenges while facing regulatory hurdles and labor concerns.

Your health information might feel private and secure with your doctor, but the reality is far more complicated. Data brokers collect a wide range of sensitive health data, from diagnoses and prescription details to personal identifiers, and sell this data to marketers, insurers, and other third parties.

Kepler Robotics has officially introduced its Forerunner K2 "Bumblebee" humanoid robot at the SAIC-GM automotive plant in Shanghai, marking a significant moment in the real-world deployment of advanced robotics.

Scammers never seem to be running out of new ways to try and get their hands on your money – and lately, they've been getting sophisticated.

Thirty people were injured and killed, though the exact number remains currently unknown, when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a Damascus church.

Unexpected password reset alerts signal potential hacking attempts or phishing scams. Learn how to respond and establish stronger security measures for your accounts.

A historic electric airplane flight landed at JFK with passengers, marking a milestone as Beta Technologies demonstrates the practicality and efficiency of electric air travel.

The Chaos ransomware group breached Optima Tax Relief in a double-extortion attack, stealing sensitive customer case files and corporate documents with personal information.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The first human brain-computer interface by Paradromics was completed in 20 minutes, featuring microelectrodes to help paralyzed individuals control computers with thoughts.

Overwhelm: Love It or Leave It!

Stress Management