Overwhelm
This month I launched my mailing list, something I had held off doing for some time. This is because I know that one of the main issues my clients face is overwhelm, and I think we can all agree that the quantity of mail we receive - both through the door, and in our email inboxes - can contribute to this.
For this reason my updates will always be brief, and intended to inspire further thought and reflection in my readers.
To continue this theme, today's topic is: Overwhelm.
Do you experience overwhelm easily and often, or is it a rare occurrence for you?
How do you experience it? How does it sound in your mind? Where do you feel it in your body?
How do you respond to overwhelm? Does your response help you to move forward or keep you stuck?
How does overwhelm become problematic?
A task which seems unmanageable might get put off multiple times, and eventually becomes bigger and bigger. As this happens, overwhelm grows and depletes your resources to tackle it.
Each time you put off a task with no firm plan of when you will tackle it, the task uses your energy without producing any progress. This becomes a draining cycle of inaction and can be really difficult to break out of.
What can be done?
First acknowledge the overwhelm. Take a moment to notice your thoughts and feelings. Get curious - ask rather than judge. Take a few slow breaths.
Next, untangle exactly what it is that's contributing to your overwhelm: write down everything which is shouting for your attention.
Next, start small - even the very tiniest bit of progress counts. What could you do right now? What might you need some help with? What will need further planning?
By breaking the task down into small manageable chunks and taking action, you are dismantling the power that overwhelm has over you, and using your energy to move you forwards, rather than keeping you stuck.
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