We have all been there. And maybe you are experiencing this right now. Feeling overwhelmed, with a ton of things to get done. So much on your head, you just hope to get through all of your tasks as fast as possible. Your desire is probably to achieve what is necessary and to start functioning a little more calmly and slowly again. Although there is such a thing as organized chaos, some people may think that their list of what they need to get done is one huge, overwhelming mess. They can experience brain fog, fatigue, & stress.
There is also a feeling of pressure that many people tend to experience. Whether it’s financial pressure, or the obligations that you have towards other people – at work or elsewhere, you can really feel the need to get things done. The tasks may be important to you, so you want to deliver, to accomplish the tasks, and get back to feeling less overwhelmed. So, what can you do?
Understanding the root cause of why you are feeling so overwhelmed should have you much less stressed. When you know what the main reason for this is, you can tackle the issue in a much more effective way. And to remember that it is important for you to function well, to be less anxious, and less overwhelmed.
So once you have noticed that you are feeling overwhelmed – it is important to think about the future, but there is a healthy balance necessary there. So try to get back to the mindset of being more present. Even when there is a lot to do – focusing too much on the future can cause you to miss out on enjoying the present moment. This does not mean that you don’t have to focus on getting these things done, but remember that you are in the present moment, and that is also important. Find joy in things around you right now. Even the smallest things – such as enjoying delicious tasting meals, walking outside and noticing the beauty outdoors, or reminding yourself that you have a great team or person around you – whether it is at work, home, or both.
Take the time to start listing your priorities. This should give you more mental clarity and the beginnings of inner peace. When there is a lot to do, you must figure out what needs to get done first. Making a list of those things, and the deadlines in which they must be achieved should make things more organized for you. For example, task 1 is … and must be completed by … Know that there are important things, as well as less important things to do and worry about. And some matters are not worthy of your attention at all. If you have something that is connected to finances or is something medical that is lightly to be more important than something like reading an interesting book. So you can put that at the top of your list, and reading the book a little lower to do later on. If you had something in mind that someone else told you that you could do – but you know that you really don’t need to, and don’t want to – you might want to consider not writing that in your list for example.
Start getting the most important tasks done, one by one. It may seem like a lot. But if you can manage to get through them, one by one, you should get a greater sense of ease. You should also experience higher dopamine levels as you accomplish the things on your list. This usually results in you feeling much better, and gives you the motivation to do more. It is important to keep the inner motivation going as you keep doing all of the tasks. As well as staying disciplined when you know that motivation is waning but you really need to do something. Remind yourself of why you are doing this, and how accomplishing this task that you are working on will positively impact your life.
Another really crucial matter to remember when you have a lot going on, is to take time for self-care. Often people feel a huge energy boost and greater clarity after taking some time to do something to relax and that they enjoy, that is not on their „must do list”. This can give you time to process the emotions that you are feeling and regenerate. You will probably notice that you can accomplish much more, much faster, when you allow yourself for some time for self-care.
Also, delegate what you can, in order to be more time efficient and save energy. Rarely ever does anyone that has achieved great success do everything by themselves from a to z. Delegating to trusted, competent, and experienced people will free up some time in your calendar – without having you diminish the outcome of what you are achieving. The task will be taken care of, and you can focus on other necessary work that you need to do, as well as have a greater chance of unwinding, or practicing self-care.
Try not to compare yourself to others too much. It’s only natural – but everyone has their own pace of doing things, of how fast they handle their tasks and develop themselves. If you must, think of it as a source of inspiration that will motivate you, rather than make you feel less than or somehow bad. You will feel less extra pressure if you let go of that need to be like someone else or better, as that can leave you bitter and resentful – towards others and yourself. Enjoy the pace at which you are doing things. And try to remember that no one is perfect. Everyone has their own flaws, as well as their strengths. Just because yours may be different than someone else’s doesn’t make either of you better or worse. Everyone is just different.
