“too much to do / can’t stop now” syndrome
We often deny we are overwhelmed
Overwhelmed?- 5 Actions to Take. Scan the internet and social media, what is one of the most reoccurring themes? The hot subject up for discussion was how overwhelmed, beat, tired, and burned-out many people are feeling due to the “too much to do / can’t stop now” syndrome.
Are you one of those people who can’t seem to stop “doing?”
I have yet to meet anyone who hasn’t felt overwhelmed from time to time. Since it tends to feel uncomfortable, if not unpleasant, we tend to view it as negative and a weakness. Aside from venting on social media, we don’t tend to admit we are overwhelmed and rarely reach out for help when we are feeling overwhelmed, which can leave us feeling isolated and alone, further exacerbating the feeling.
We often deny we are overwhelmed because we do not know how to stop the frenetic behavior that leads to this feeling. So we do nothing. Our employers, colleagues, or friends often do not help support us to stop overworking, Often they, themselves do not know how to stop this behavior, let alone help support someone in doing so.
Focusing on Projects Often Begins With Good Intentions
We Can Quickly and Easily Become Overwhelmed
Why do we do this to ourselves? Primarily, this syndrome occurs in our work life but it can carry over to our personal and family life as well. Balancing work with chores, errands, children, pets, bills, and appointments etc…adds even more weight to the feelings of being overwhelmed at work. Focusing on projects often begins with good intentions but we can quickly and easily become overwhelmed if we do not have a plan to minimize and balance our work.
Thinking about the million and one things you need to do when you get home, getting the project finalized for your team, writing the copy for your website, designing the new sales brochure, or completing the 90-day marketing plan is extremely important, – but having a balanced, healthy life is equally important.
This stressful pattern is telling you to change your life! Once you get this message, it is easier to identify the steps you need to take to shift out of the behavior quickly.
Following are helpful strategies collected from my personal experience and from my work with others who are burned out, growing cranky, frustrated and even depressed. These strategies immediately diminish feelings of being overwhelmed so you can refocus and make some work/life balance decisions.
Overwhelmed?- 5 Actions to Take
Eliminate, Eliminate, Eliminate!
Overwhelmed?- 5 Actions to Take
- Stop what you are doing for a few minutes and take a break. Go for a short walk, sit outside under a tree, meditate, breathe deeply, go to a movie, call a friend to have coffee, and share what is going on in your world.
- Get a piece of paper and make two columns. In one column, list all of the urgent things you need to do this week. In the other column, list those projects that you can delegate, hire or barter to be done.
- Eliminate, eliminate, eliminate! Unsubscribe to unnecessary e-mail, organize your desk and office to decrease clutter, stop attending meetings, get off committees, and decrease volunteering at fundraisers unless you have a total passion for the organization and the cause.
- Do not spend time with people whom you do not like, or at least greatly decrease the time you spend with them (I know there are some situations that do not allow for you to completely cut your time with certain people). Assess your friends and business colleagues. Do they support and honor who you are? If they are negative and don’t share your vision for your dreams, if it is in your control, don’t spend another minute with them.
- Take an action step today to make a change in your life! Call a friend who will support you, take a class to get organized, or work with a life coach who will support and motivate you to have a more balanced life.
Conclusion
Decide what is most important in your life. If you want a balanced life, you will have to make changes in your life to allow this to happen. That takes some time and planning but it will be well worth the improvement in your life! What is the first step you are going to take?
