Are you getting buried under your massive to-do list and feeling overwhelmed and stressed out?
Do you feel like your life is running you vs. YOU running your life?
Life of a busy parent is filled with daily chaos and we all get overwhelmed time to time.
We live in a fast paced world and we are always on the go. We are the driver, the cook, the teacher/mentor, the housekeeper, master of running errands not to mention amazing at multi-tasking.
Let’s face it we are in constant state of overwhelm and stress!
We are working harder and longer than ever, taking less time for ourselves in the process. No wonder we are overwhelmed and stressed out.
Here are some tips that will help you kick Overwhelm and Stress in the booo-tey!
#1. Do a data dump!
Most stress is initiated in our minds. Inner chaos creates outer chaos.
Do a data dump to get them out of your head and create more mental white space.
Take 10 minutes and write down every single thing on your mind on paper.
All the projects, tasks, errands …. ALL the things you need to get done.
The key here is to get them out of your head and down on paper.
#2. Prioritize to Eliminate Overwhelm and Stress!
Overwhelm happens when you have unrealistic expectations and take on too much.
Listen! We all get 24 hours in a day – no one is immune to time. It’s up to you to decide how you want to spend that time.
Take a look at the list you have created and start by categorizing your tasks and give them a deadline. Is it due today? This week? This month? This year? You get the idea….
Ask yourself: “What is the MOST important task on my list that MUST be completed today? and “How do I want to feel?”
Do you want to feel productive?… accomplished?….relaxed?
Let that lead you to decide if this is just another “busy task” or something that will actually help you get the results you want and aid in eliminating stress.
There is nothing worst then spending all day on “busy tasks” only to take a peek at your to-do list and notice all the critical tasks are staring right back at you.
Nothing is worth stressing over!
Stress makes you less effective and is a poison to your productivity. When you are not productive you run out of time and stress and overwhelm sets in.
#3. Ditch – or – Delegate?
Take your list and look for anything that is dragging you down. Things that are making you feel blah! Things that SUCK!
Now, take your pen and cross them out! Yep! You read it right….cross them out!
Ask yourself: Is this a priority? If so, who can you delegate it to?
For example: Let’s say you hate grocery shopping. (I know hate is such a strong word…but hey! some people really do hate grocery shopping)
No problem! Order online and have it get delivered instead. Most grocery stores will do free delivery to your home on the day and time you choose at no extra cost if you purchase a certain amount or buy something off their promo list.
Google Shopping Express offers same day delivery from all kinds of stores like Whole Foods, Target, Walgreens, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, REI, Costco, Nob Hill and they are adding more and more stores to their list.
Get this! You get FREE delivery for the first 6 months. Cool or cool?
Obviously this is just one example. The idea here is to get creative and start leveraging people and services around you to delegate more and only focus on tasks that are critical.
#4. Stay Present!
Present moment is where all your power and control lays.
Next time you are overwhelmed and stressed notice “What is overwhelming you? What is stressing you out?”
Is it over something that may or may not happen? (Which means you are thinking of the future and not being in the present moment)
Is it over something you know you were supposed to do but didn’t? – Making that call, sending that email, finishing that project that’s overdue..etc.
Take ACTION! Be in the moment and only focus on task at hand.
One day at a time…..one step at a time. Be in the moment!
Remember this!
Follow these simple steps and start taking control over your mind and your time. It’s time to kick overwhelm and stress to the curb!
Now, I would love to hear from you. How do you manage your overwhelm and stress? Paint a picture for us below in the comments.
Thanks Janet! Your timing couldn’t be more perfect! I’ve been overwhelmed for a while and I forget to take a few minutes to prioritize because I’m literally always “doing”. Feeling more at ease already that I’ll have a plan to tackle rather than just running aimlessly at full steam! The best to you:)
Hi Malena – so happy to read your comment.
Planning will make a HUGE difference. We all fall in the trap of daily hustle and bustle become reactive to all that we have to juggle and manage around us. Prioritizing really helps in understanding what we can realistically accomplish with the time we have.
It will also help in getting the productive juices flowing as you get to see how much you have accomplished. Truly becomes addictive!
Sometimes we forget to pause and pat ourselves in the back for all that we do. This will give you a nice visual of your accomplishments so you can carve out sometime to celebrate your success at the end of the week 😉
Have fun with the planning phase. Make it fun! I LOVE the girlie daytimers to do my planning on 😉
Let me know if there is a topic you are interested in. Happy to incorporate in to the blog.