Overcoming "Overwhelm"
Posted on March 15, 2013 by Deb Bergeron, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
Overcoming "Overwhelm"
Q: Running a business leaves me totally overwhelmed. I want to slow down, but I’m stuck in overdrive. Help!
A: Typically, we let the “urgent” rule our lives and put off the “important” until tomorrow. But tomorrow is filled with more urgent, and we often never get around to the important things in our lives. The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, instead of trying to run faster, slow down and reconnect with the meaning behind your actions by asking these questions:
What can you eliminate to make more space for what is really important? Spreading yourself too thin and saying yes when you really want to say no can leave you feeling resentful and totally overwhelmed. Examine your commitments. Do they give you value for your time and give you energy? Or do they drain you?
Now that you understand the basic process of simplifying, what will decreasing “overwhelm” do for you? In a nutshell, more than you can imagine. Decreasing the overwhelm in your life will help you reduce stress, give you more energy, improve your efficiency, and allow you more time to devote to the truly important things in your life. Next, ask:
What is most important to you? What do you love to do? The answer is different for each and every person. For me, it’s simple: I love my family, I love spending time with friends, walking the beach and dancing. And, I love the work I do. For others, it may be hiking, mountain biking, creating music or art, or anything that gives you joy.
Once you’ve simplified and clarified, stay that way through these nine step: 1.) Keep yourself at the top of your list. Everyone in your life benefits when you are well and centered. 2.) Accept your limitations. Delegate to others, even if there’s no way they could ever do it as well as you. 3.) Make a true priority list. Write down what’s important and tackle the list with gusto. 4.) Breathe. Several relaxing breaths will help restore calm and balance. 5.) Block out time for fun. 6.) Just say “no.” It gets easier with practice. 7.) Move into the present. Scattering your energy into the past, future, or several activities at once is a sure path to stress. Relish right now. 8.) Pray or meditate. Quiet reflection can be a powerful medicine. 9.) Ask for help. To continue to grow, it’s critical to involve other people to provide you with support, and to help you identify your blind spots. Talk to friends, loved ones, or hire a coach.
