How to Deal with Overwhelm: 3 Steps
Overwhelm. It’s one of the most common words I hear from the mouths of today’s entrepreneurs and from my coaching clients, too.
I’m sure there are a few things in your life that overwhelm you. It might be your career, your relationship, or the ever-popular topic — finances. It might be your kids or your health. Whatever it is, the energy probably feels thick and stuck and heavy.
You might be experiencing sleepless nights — tossing and turning — unable to relax from all of your anxious thoughts. Your waking hours might be similar — filled with the stress of worry.
The good news is that you can get out of overwhelm. The not so good news is that you played a role in constructing it, so now you have to play a role in de-constructing it. It’s not going to happen over night. Sorry, there just aren’t any quick fixes in life. It doesn’t work that way. However, a simple, step-by-step process can lead you out of the chaos and into calm.
You can control overwhelm.
In fact, you can eliminate it if you so choose. How? By getting clear on your vision of what you want in your life and what you don’t. Then you use that as a measure for making all your decisions. This takes effort. It requires daily forward movements that will eventually lead you into a better place — free of the feelings of overwhelm.
Here are three simple steps to start moving in the right direction …
- Stop everything you’re doing. Disconnect from social media. Stop texting on your phone. Stop anything like this. Outwardly focused, online, gadget-related environments create havoc with your brain and fuel anxiety and overwhelm. You’re going to need your full focus and attention on the issues at hand. If you don’t fix this problem, no one is going to fix it for you.
- Prioritize the top 5 things that need to get done. Your top priorities should include self care like eating. Lack of food can fuel anxiety. Eat healthy snacks and meals. This is not the time for any sugary drinks or sweets. Also make sure you’re sufficiently hydrated. Unless you stabilize your body, your brain can’t relax and focus.
- For each of the 5 things on your list, write down 3 micro-tasks to help you get each one of them done. Next, select one of the five items and complete the first task. Congratulate yourself for taking the first step in the right direction!
Accountability is key. Grab a friend and work through these tips together. Or, let a friend know what you’re doing and check in with them later to report your progress.
Even one step forward can completely change the energy around how you’re feeling. I know it’s hard. I really do. And, if you’re dealing with health or grief issues at the moment, it can make these things feel even harder to accomplish.
The key is that you get into motion by doing one thing. Micro accomplishments will build your confidence and make it easier for you to take the next step — and so on. The momentum will build and it will get easier and easier.
Lighten your life and your load. Find out how working with a coach can help you create path forward that activates your gifts, energizes your soul, and aligns you with your life purpose.
Make yourself a priority! Let’s chat! Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me a note at https://www.tarahelpdesk.com and we’ll schedule time to spend together. The only way to get things done is by taking action. The time to start is now!
NEXT STEPS …
Connect with me on LinkedIn or send me a note at https://www.tarahelpdesk.com. I’ll send you a link to my calendar so we can schedule a 30-minute chat. Bring your biggest question about being in overwhelm and we can start there!
To focusing forward!
Tara Alexandra Kachaturoff
Coaching entrepreneurs since 2002
Michigan Entrepreneur TV: Creator, Producer, Host
Cross-posted at http://www.tarakachaturoff.com
Let’s Connect the Dots:
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tarakachaturoff
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tarakachaturoff
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tarakachaturoff