3 Tips to stop being overwhelmed

When life is having a strong emotional effect on you, to the point where you begin to feel buried, discourages or temporarily dazed and confused, its the perfect moment to read these three tips:

1. Prioritize

Make a detailed list of everything you are doing so you have a clearer idea where your limits are and what you feel comfortable delegating.  This may require setting up a meeting with people, seeking professional advice or counsel to discuss or explore.

2. Brainstorm strategy 

Once you have the information directly in front of you, this is the moment to brainstorm or mindmap a way to better handle the situation (or many situations) you may have come to juggle.

3. Take steps to believe in yourself

Whether you are a leader who's role involves inspiring team players to value their unique contributions and develop confidence or, whether you are simply ready to get your own life in order, take steps to build your own confidence. Where the will exists, a way can be found.

The Value of Down-time

It is common to respond to being overwhelmed  by work or tasks in three ways;

1) to force yourself to focus more intently on tasks at hand without breaks,

2) to work more hours in a week, month or year

3) to avoid the efficiency trap and instead, work smarter

This said, you may ask, what does work smarter mean? It is not about doing more in less time. Rather, it is about paying more attention to what is going on within you during down-time (when you are not consciously task-oriented).  This is about recalling what it feels like to tune into and be aware of what is going on within you, body-mind-spirit. (That's right, all of you, not only mental chatter.)

Thus, you no longer schedule critical tasks when you are mentally drained and you are more informed to let go of what is no longer necessary.  Take a moment to reflect what it feels like to maximize effectiveness.  Grow conscious of distractions and eliminate them. Reflect on your inspirational mentors today. Who is inspiring you to review how you perceive and use time?