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9 Tips for Managing Overwhelm

Being overwhelmed seems to be a common state of being these days, and its result -- burnout -- has become a very concrete and real problem in the work world. It has cost organizations and governments a great deal in terms of money, employee satisfaction, and productivity. While there are multiple theories about why burnout occurs (the stresses are different in different cultures, but the affect is the same), there are common things to do today that can help ease the pressure. 

Here are a few secrets for dealing with overwhelm from Molly Gordon, Certified Coach. You may have to reorient your thinking, slow the pace, and resist the temptation to write off the "fluffy" solutions, but what's here is holistic, human-oriented, and internally-focused.

1. Everything is perfect, and there is room for improvement. It takes time and energy to resist reality. The foundation for managing overwhelm is to accept what is and take it from there.

2. Putter. Puttering orients you in time and space while making mental room for you to notice what really wants to be top priority.

Tip: Set a time limit on puttering if you are worried that you will lose the entire day to it.

3. Take the attitude that you will, of course, do what is most important, even if you do not yet know what it is or how you will do it. Be curious about what you don't know how to do rather than worrying about it.

4. Clean house (or office). When your insides are churning with anxiety over multiple commitments, create order outside.

Tip: This seems to work best if you clean with a light heart, though I have worked through some pretty gnarly problems while fiercely scrubbing the kitchen floor!

5. Use every means available. Make plans and act spontaneously. Make lists and do what needs to be done whether or not it is on the list. Managing overwhelm means mingling both direct and indirect ways of moving forward.

6. Be real. However linear or spontaneous, ground your choices in your real experience. It doesn't make sense to simply ignore a deadline or to pretend that a complex task can be done in 10 minutes.

7. Revise your commitments. Promises are not made to be broken, but some are made to be revised. Act promptly to revise commitments that you cannot or will not keep.

8. First things first. Take time for exercise, prayer, meditation, and simply "defragging" no matter how busy you are. Doing these things first each day gives you the resilience and resourcefulness to do your best.

9. Breathe. First, last, and always, let a rising bubble of anxiety be your reminder to breathe.

Copyright  © Shaboom Inc.™ 2003. All rights reserved. www.mollygordon.com

Copyright © 2003 Stratevative Learning International AB. All rights reserved.