Feeling Overwhelmed? 5 Practical Steps To Get You Moving Forward

In today’s, break neck speed world, where so much needs to be done, in so little time, we all at some point or other face up to feeling overwhelmed. The stressful daily tasks, projects, chores, emails and phone calls can lay heavy upon us causing us much stress, worry and anxiety. Feeling overwhelmed is an emotion that we often have when we feel things are getting out of our control and are getting too much for us. Becoming overwhelmed is usually the result of two factors i. Indecision- When you’re undecided on your priorities, and are therefore unsure of what needs to be done and what needs to be ignored. ii. Procrastination- Where you postpone or avoid doing essential tasks and projects until a later date. So how do you best deal with and overcome feeling overwhelmed by life? 1. Identify Your Vision and Purpose Having a clear vision and purpose will help you prioritize. Before you start every day, you should identify and prioritize every task that you need to accomplish for that day that will ensure you keep moving closer to your vision and purpose. Jim Rohn, American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker says: “Never begin the day until it is finished on paper.” What I always do, is to plan my day the night before. Before I go to bed I write down in order of priority all the tasks I need to complete for the following day. This obviously helps me become more organized and productive, but the greatest benefit for doing this is that all night long while I sleep, my subconscious mind is going to be coming up with creative ideas and ways from my past memories and experiences so I can best utilize them to have a perfectly planned day 2. Break It Down Being confronted with a large task or project can leave you feeling totally overwhelmed. By breaking the project down into smaller more manageable tasks, this will help make them seem less difficult and threatening. Also as you will complete these smaller tasks quicker and easier, you will then develop more confidence and momentum as you move from one task onto the next. 3. Get Out Of The Habit Of Saying YES. Don’t be a servant to all. Be really protective of your time. Avoid low value projects, tasks or time-consuming. Any extra or new commitments that you agree to take on ensure it adds sufficient value to you 4. Allow For ‘Me’ And Family Time. Allocate time for relaxing and ‘switching off’. Rather than working round the clock, take time out and do some activities that you enjoy either with your family or by yourself. Have a weekend break away with you family, go for a nice meal, play some golf or have a nice long body massage. Make sure to note these times in your diary as they are just as important as a key business appointment. 5) Get Fit, Get Healthy. When you are tired, lethargic and low in energy, you efficiency is affected. Ensure you live a healthy lifestyle, whereby you get enough sleep, eat healthy nutritious diet, a have good exercise regime. Feeling overwhelmed can and will stop in your tracks and prevent you from accomplishing you goals. By applying these 5 steps in your daily life you will then start making steady and consistent progress toward your goals and success.