Often, life is a never ending list of things we have to get done, and it can be hard not to know where or even what to begin. I know there are a lot of people out there who feel overwhelmed whether it’s work, personal projects, or tasks that you should complete every day. The good news is that there are easy things that you can do to get back in the saddle and make progress, even when it feels like you’re stuck.
In this article, we’ll dig into some empirically proven strategies that can help you manage the overfilled feeling of overwhelm and be productive and at peace.
Understanding the Overwhelmed
Before taking up the steps, it’s necessary to know that why we are feeling overwhelmed. Overwhelm occurs when we believe there is more than we can do, in a short amount of time and or with the resources we have available. It can cause the feeling of stress, anxiety and procrastination. The first step in overcoming feeling overwhelmed is to realize feeling overwhelmed is a normal occurrence.
Deep breath, feeling, plan to move forward.
1. Take Things Down To Manageable Tasks
Breaking your tasks down into smaller segments is one of the easiest and most effective things that you can do when you’re feeling overwhelmed. When we have a huge task to do, or a long to do list, it’s easy for the size of it to paralyze us. Yet if you break down those tasks into more focused, individual tasks, you will see that each task is executable.
For example, instead of telling yourself “I need to clean the entire house,” try breaking it down into smaller tasks like:
- Vacuum the living room
- Wipe down kitchen counters
- Shelves in the bedroom, dust them
You will be able to take action more easily by breaking down each task into smaller aspects and each win will prove you can and will help push you forward and get you to take more actions.
2. Prioritize Your Tasks
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s easy to think that everything must be done at once. Instead it fuels stress and confusion. Rather than that, take a moment and focus on your priorities. Ask yourself:
What tasks are most urgent?
- What deadlines are approaching for which tasks?
- Which ones will have the most impact on my goals or well being?
- When we tackle the bulk of our most important or time sensitive tasks first, our to-do list begins to lose weight and we feel a little more in control. According to the Eisenhower Matrix, for instance you can classify the tasks by urgency and importance, you can use such a simple prioritization method. It will let you know what to do first, what to delegate and what to defer.
3. Get Started Using the “5 Minute Rule”
Getting started is sometimes the hardest part when you want to overcome overwhelm. With some things, it’s easy to freeze and just start wondering where to start. The 5 minute rule is a simple yet powerful technique. The idea is to promise to work on a task for only five minutes! Once started, the drive may take you through the finish line.
This rule is effective because it takes away the pressure of having to commit to a long time stretch of whatever it is you’re working on. If you only have five minutes, it’s a start. And who knows? You might be able to get there with that small start.
4. Focus on One Task at a Time
It’s seemingly a time-saver to multitask, but actually it can cause you to feel more overwhelmed. It has been shown that multitasking decreases productivity and increases stress. Instead, concentrate on one thing at a time.
When you focus on one task, the focus is given to you, you’ll get it done faster and better. Not only will this make you feel less distracted and overwhelmed with everything on your plate, but you will also feel accomplished.
5. Get Take Breaks and Practice Mindfulness
You can become so focused on all you have to do, that the one thing you don’t have to do – yourself – gets lost. The problem is, however, if you push yourself too hard, with no breaks, then you may get burnt out and things will just feel more overwhelming. Short breaks in the day can recharge and re-focus you.
Another great way to help reduce the stress and overwhelm in your life is to incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine. That means taking time to pay attention, whatever is going on in the moment, and without judgment. Simple things such as deep breathing, meditation, or just walking calm your mind and reset your emotions. Once you come back to your tasks you’re going to feel focused and able to take care of these tasks.
6. Let Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism is one of the biggest traps that make you feel overwhelmed. Things you’re striving for perfection in can put unnecessary pressure on you and slow you down. Know that progress doesn’t always mean perfection. You don’t want to do everything perfectly, don’t let that stop you from taking action.
Accept the ‘good enough’ concept, learn to make mistakes. When you give up on perfectionism, you have less trouble moving forward and feel less overwhelmed and more confident.
7. Declutter Your Environment
Your external environment can sometimes add to a feeling of too much. The cluttered workspace or even the house makes it difficult to concentrate and do things. Fix yourself up if you have a few minutes when it’s just organizing your desk or clearing a little living room space.
A well organized and clean space can bring a feeling of comfort and control. All this can serve as a way to declutter life a bit and perhaps clear your head up a bit as well and tackle your tasks with a fresher mind.
8. Reach Out for Support
Sometimes when you’re feeling overwhelmed you might want to do it all on your own because you feel afraid of letting anyone in. Yet sometimes you just have to reach out to others for support, and it helps you lighten the load. Whether it’s chatting to a friend, asking for help with a task or informing you can lean on someone more, you will always feel less isolated and can handle a challenge.
You don’t have to do this all alone. It is OK to ask for help, it’s a strength not a weakness and one that can come up with solutions you wouldn’t have thought on your own.
9. Celebrate Small Wins
This is easy when you’re feeling overwhelmed and you are only thinking about what still needs to be done. It is important to take breaks and celebrate all the small wins. Any task, no matter how small, should be recognized when completed. When you successfully finish one of these things, you’re going to be encouraged and motivated to do the next thing on the list.
Acknowledging your progress, however small, will keep you from feeling overwhelmed and the reminder that you can actually achieve your goals will help to keep you from whiplashing your motivation.
10. Practice Self-Compassion
Lastly, be nice to yourself. Sometimes, self-criticism is going to happen in response to being overwhelmed, and that’s okay so long as we practice self compassion. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed and okay to do things one step at a time, remind yourself. If you would treat a friend in the same light in case like this, then treat yourself with this as well.
Final Thoughts (Conclusion)
Everyone feels overwhelmed, but you don’t have to let it control you. Simple tasks like breaking tasks down, prioritizing and focusing on one thing at a time can help you to regain control and reduce your stress by pulling you back on track. To help you build resilience and maintain your balance as you create these challenges, incorporate mindfulness, practice self compassion and celebrate your small wins.
The point is to take action, even when it’s a tiny one. After all, this is the easiest way to end up overwhelmed. Thankfully, when you’re feeling overwhelmed it doesn’t mean you’re completely lost; instead, it simply means that these simple steps were purposely ‘put in place’ to help you regain your peace of mind and productivity.
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