Overcoming Overwhelm: 10 Steps to Take Back Your Power
Ever have those days when you feel like you have so much to do that you end up getting absolutely nothing done?
Yeah, me too.
That feeling of overwhelm can be completely paralyzing… And as a business owner, that can lead to a serious spiral for both your personal life AND your business.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to “reset” and overcome that feeling of overwhelm, so you can keep your mind, business and soul on the track to success.
Let’s jump into a few of my personal favorites…
Walk Away… Emphasis on the WALK.
This piece of advice is everywhere… but when you’re seriously struggling with overwhelm, it can be so hard to succumb to the idea of putting down whatever it is that needs to be done and spending some time just being active. I get that. However, this strategy has proven to be effective time and time again. By changing your scenery, you’re allowing your brain to clear out some of the clutter that is making you feel stuck in overwhelm. If you can add in getting some fresh air and moving your body, you get the added benefits of bringing in positive energy and releasing stress while getting a hint of an endorphin high. Getting active awakens your body to allow that energy to flow freely. Take an hour, a few hours, or even the rest of the day to just get out of your workspace and get your blood flowing. Spending time being active and awakening your soul is far more productive than spending time sitting in your office allowing stress to build while staring down a to-do list and becoming overwhelmed.
2. Reconnect With Your “Why”.
We all have a reason that we got started on this path we’re on. For me, it’s the feeling I get when I’m able to teach others how to achieve the growth they’re craving. Teaching awakens my spirit and makes me feel alive. I love seeing others experience “a-ha! moments” and helping them implement their newfound knowledge into their lives and businesses. When I get into a slump or start to feel overwhelmed with the day-to-day routine, I know that it’s time to start scheduling one-on-one sessions. Through those sessions, I’m able to reignite my passion while helping someone else achieve their goals.
What is your “why”? What got you started? What is it that makes you feel alive? When overwhelm sets in, it’s usually a sign that it’s time to take a step back and focus on the things that stir your spirit.
3. Have Lunch With A Friend.
Call up a friend and get together for lunch. I always find that having a good conversation with a friend leaves me feeling full of motivation and drive. There’s something to be said for genuine human connection and relaxing with someone you care about. Take some time off, put some lipstick on and head out with a good friend.
4. Do A Brain Dump
I learned about this concept somewhere recently and it has been a huge help. Take 5 minutes and write down everything that comes to your mind. It doesn’t have to be complete thoughts or sentences, it doesn’t need to be neat and organized… just write down every thought, idea, topic, and/or concept that comes to your brain. The idea here is that when we get overwhelmed, we tend to have a lot spinning around in our brains, so by getting it all down on paper, we’re able to free up the clutter it was causing in our brains, which allows us to focus in on the things that actually need/deserve our attention.
5. Stop Working At Night
One of the worst things I do to myself is getting in the habit of working late at night. When I’m on my computer late at night, I tend to not sleep as well. Then the next day I’m tired and I don’t think through things as clearly/easily as I should… Which results in tasks taking longer, which leads to working later, and the vicious cycle continues. When overwhelm or burnout start creeping in, make a commitment to yourself to stop work early enough each night to allow yourself to be present with your family, participate in a hobby you enjoy, and have some downtime before bed. Instead of working late try reading a book, take a bath, or do something else that helps you to relax.
6. Pray
Slow down, and hold a conversation with your maker. Recognize the many blessings you have and ask for what you need. Trust that you are where you are meant to be in this moment, and that this season will pass.
7. Make a List
This one is a little controversial, so it’ll depend on your personality type whether you should make a list or trash your list. If you’re like me, there is some serious satisfaction that comes from crossing items off a list… so when I’m feeling overwhelmed, I like to make a list starting with the things that need to be done right away. Then I’ll make a different list of things that would be nice to have done. As I complete the list of “right away” items, I move onto the “would be nice” list and add any new “right away” items to the top of the list. Sometimes it can be a huge help to just pull out the top 3-5 things that need to get done and move everything else to a lower priority list. It definitely makes the tasks at hand feel less daunting.
8. Remove the Clutter
Take a look at your workspace. Is there clutter on your desk? A mess on the floor? Books and papers stacked haphazardly in the corner? Countless studies have been done in recent years showing a direct correlation between physical clutter and an increased sense of stress, anxiety and overwhelm. If your space is cluttered, you’re setting your mind up to be cluttered as well. Take some time to clean up, declutter and organize your space. An environment that makes you feel organized, focused and inspired will work wonders on your mental state.
9. Change Your Scenery
Sometimes when I end up in a mental block, changing locations is an easy way to put some “pep” back in my step. If I’m feeling weighed down and overwhelmed in my home office, I might move my computer out to the front porch, head to the garden or even pack up and go to a coffee shop or restaurant nearby.
10. Delegate/Look for Help
If you’re truly dealing with an unmanageable amount of work, it’s time to find some help and start delegating. Before we dig too far into this, let’s take a moment to CELEBRATE what this step means. You are BUSY. Busy means that you are doing this thing - you are making it happen. Once you reach the step of needing to look for help and things to delegate, you’ve reached a huge milestone in your business. And, while it is a very exciting time, it can also feel like a huge step to take. Delegating means training - training takes time - and when you’re already feeling overwhelmed, that’s probably the last thing you want to be worried about… But, it’s important to take a deep breath and look ahead to what you’re building by taking this step. You’re creating more mental space for yourself, more time in the day, opening up the ability to take on NEW business, and putting in place systems and processes to allow you to live a life you actually enjoy, rather than feeling burdened by workload.
Feeling stuck and overwhelmed can be a real problem in business. When those feelings start to creep in, it’s extra important to take some time for yourself and get yourself back on track. We each have different things that make us tick, so take some time to work through this list of remedies and find the things that work for you when you need a “reset”.