Overwhelm.

It all hits us all at some point or another.

You know that feeling when your to-do list is longer than the Great Wall of China, and your brain is spinning out.

Well, I've got your back with three practical tips to help you tackle overwhelm like a boss.

1. Breathe, Baby, Breathe.

The key here is to stop the panic before it derails you completely. When overwhelm starts creeping in, our brains tend to go into hyperdrive, racing a million miles an hour. So, take a deep breath and slow things down.

When I'm feeling really overwhelmed I listen to Sanskrit chants by Deva Premal. I've even learnt some of the words & chant along. The key is to bring yourself back into the present moment. And out of your mind and into your body. So walking in nature & dancing work really well for me too.

When you're feeling calmer, go grab a drink and let's get you back in the drivers seat and feeling in control again.

2. Clear Your Desk

There's no better feeling than starting fresh and getting a complete handle on everything that needs to be done. And trust me the sense of clarity and focus you'll gain from a tidy workspace is worth its weight in gold.

So, take a moment to sift through all those half-scribbled notes scattered around your workspace. It's time to consolidate everything into a shiny, new 'to-do' list.

Gather up those loose ends and add any other tasks swirling around in your mind onto this list. This simple act frees up mental space and ensures that nothing slips through the cracks. Get it all out of your head and onto a piece of paper where you can see everything clearly.

3. Prioritise Like Your Life Depends On It.

Now, it's time to put your CEO head on and prioritise like a boss. Not everything on your to-do list needs to be done yesterday. Take a good, hard look at that list and ask yourself, "What absolutely needs to get done right now and what can wait?"

Can you break bigger tasks down into manageable chunks?

Put a number next to tasks in the order you need to tackle them and then rewrite your list.

Now take task #1 from your to-do list and tackle it head-on. Action alleviates anxiety like nothing else.

Remember to cut yourself some slack. You're not a superhero (unless you are, in which case, please share your secrets). So, do your best, but let go of perfection. Focus on what truly matters and let the rest fall into place.

Why It Happens & How To Reduce It

I hear it all the time from my clients.

That feeling of being completely overwhelmed. And trust me, I've been there myself more times than I can count. Full-on meltdowns, wondering how I'll even manage to get through the day.

Whether you're just starting out on your entrepreneurial journey or you've been at it for years, the struggle is all too real.

And it's no surprise, right?

With a never-ending list of tasks to tackle, decisions to agonize over, and to-do lists that seem to grow longer by the minute.

The thing is, we're often our own worst enemies in this battle against overwhelm.

So, let's dive into some common behaviours to watch out for if you're looking to dial down the overwhelm in your life:

Trying to be everything to everyone: You wear multiple hats as business owner. Trying to meet the needs of your customers, Not to mention running a household. But here's the thing: you can't please everyone, and trying to do so will only leave you feeling stretched thin.

Trying to focus on too many things at once: Ah, the classic case of biting off more than you can chew. You convince yourself that you can handle it all, only to find yourself drowning in a sea of unfinished tasks and unmet deadlines.

Being too optimistic about time management: Raise your hand if you've ever underestimated how long a task would take. Raises hand Guilty as charged. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you can squeeze one more thing into your already packed schedules, only to realise you're in way over your head.

Overloading your calendar: Ah, the allure of a fully booked calendar. It makes us feel productive, accomplished even. But in reality, it's a recipe for burnout. Remember, it's okay to leave some white space in your schedule for rest and relaxation.

Not saying "no": Ah, the dreaded word that so many of us struggle to utter. But here's the truth: saying no isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of self-respect. You're in control of your time and energy. So don't be afraid to set boundaries and prioritise your own well-being.



Now that you've got a handle on where overwhelm comes from & how to deal with it here's to leaving it in the rearview mirror and welcoming in more space, time & ease.

You've got this.