To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing. — Eva Young
Good morning! When was the last time you felt truly overwhelmed? Maybe it was last week, or last month, or maybe it is right now, this very minute. Have your “to-dos” piled so high that they are robbing the joy from your days and the skip from your step?
When we are overwhelmed, we can often trace the feeling to one of four sources:
1. When we fail to allow enough time for the unexpected, tasks pile up and all of a sudden we find ourselves anxious or struggling to stay above water.
2. There is some specific “to-do” that you just don’t like doing. That single to-do is ignored more than any others, until it gets to a point of “crisis,” and must be dealt with.
3. The project seems insurmountable – since we don’t know where to start, we just don’t start.
4. Like today’s quote, we confuse PLANNING with DOING and spend too long in the planning phase and not enough time in the action phase.
Regardless of the source of your “overwhelmed feeling” the quickest way to release it is through action. Even five-concentrated minutes on a task will help us to feel we have control over the “to-do” versus it controlling us.
Your Turn:
Make a list of the things that are overwhelming to you right now. Choose one to work with this week. Each day, set your timer for at least 5 minutes and take focused action. Notice how the action begins to make the anxious and overwhelmed feelings dissolve.
Your Affirmation:
I do not succumb to feelings of being overwhelmed, instead I am inspired to action.
This is EXACTLY how I feel right now and all the reasons for feeling overwhelmed that you listed are right on target too. Thanks for putting my feelings into concrete thoughts. Even though I know the solution (been in this program too long not to know) it never hurts to be hit over the head w/ the truth again either!!! I can do this!!!
I have been feeling overwhelmed lately and I attribute it to not taking out time just to pause. I seem to be rushing from one thing to the next. Tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow I can find some time for me to stare out the window and dally around my garden looking for some new buds.
Pen
What a GREAT new way to start the day! Love the new site and being able to comment on each good morning. Especially love the flowers at the top of page. So fun and bright! I too am overwhelmed and I feel bad saying that because I am a stay at home mom. I know there are so many moms out there working and taking care of the home (I used to). I am grateful for each day though and with the right attitude I know that I can turn my days into time used well. Thanks Brooke and the Change Your Life Challenge.