by Michael Angier
http://www.stretcher.com/
Lately, many of the people I've been talking with or coaching have been
complaining about being overwhelmed. I have to admit that I've been
wrestling with it too.
My ideas and my commitments seem to far outpace my time and energy. So
here's my advice to you--and to myself--for dealing with overwhelm.
Recognize that overwhelm isn't real. It's not something that attacks us.
It's a feeling we experience based upon a belief there's too much to do
and too little time to do it. It's fear--plain and simple. And once we
recognize and acknowledge it, we're better equipped to deal with it.
Be grateful. Just think, the alternative is that you have little to do and
you're bored. Appreciate the fact that you have the opportunities and the
projects that allow you to contribute to the world.
Accept the fact you'll never be caught up. If you're a person of
action--someone with goals and aspirations--it's not too likely you'll
ever have an empty inbox. The times in which we live and our ability to do
meaningful work throughout our lives leads me to believe that we will
always have things left to do.
Understand that we can only think about one thing at a time. We may be
able to multi-task and we may be able to switch our thoughts very rapidly,
but we really can hold only one thought in our mind at a time. Trying to
think about more than one thing at once is very tiring and frustrating.
Be selective. The biggest weapon you have in fighting overwhelm is your
ability to prioritize what you need to do. By making intelligent choices
based upon urgent, non-urgent, important and non-important, we can focus
better. By basing these choices on our core values, we can relax in the
belief that we're doing what matters most.
Delegate. Learn to gain the assistance of others. People like to help, but
you have to ask. Anything that can be adequately done by someone else
should be delegated. It's an important skill worth developing.
Learn to say no. Our feelings of overwhelm largely come from taking on too
much. If you're asked to do something, don't be too quick to accept the
assignment. You might think you're being a nice person, but if you succumb
to health problems because of it, you won't be nice for very much longer.
If you're TOLD to do something (by a boss, for instance), ask them which
things they would like to have you put off while you complete the new
assignment.
Take care of yourself. There will always be times when we're called upon
to put forth extra effort. And we can if we've been taking good care of
ourselves right along. For those periods where extra drive, a few extra
hours and hard work are required, we need to be in good shape--mentally
and physically.
If we've been eating, sleeping and exercising properly, we'll be far
better prepared for the extra stress our lives require.
Remember to take breaks. The tendency for many of us is to work harder and
longer. In actuality, we can get more done in less time and with less
effort if we take breaks.
Breathe. When we feel overwhelmed, we have a tendency to tighten up
instead of relax. It seems like there are many things we HAVE to do, but
the only thing we REALLY have to do is breathe. Take some long deep
breaths and feel yourself returning to the present.
Focus on the task at hand. If we're thinking about what's NOT getting done
or all the other things we have to do, we can't focus well on what we're
doing now. Think about what you ARE doing rather than what you're NOT
getting done. Otherwise, you're going to be defeated by your feelings of
overwhelm.
Use these ten tips in dealing with overwhelm and you'll find yourself
feeling more in charge and at peace.
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