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Health & Fitness

How to Deal With Overwhelm

Here we are in the middle of August -- already!! I don’t know about you but to me it always feels like such a bittersweet time. It’s when I realize that some of the things I wanted to accomplish in the summer haven’t happened yet. It mostly has to do with projects that I procrastinate about. Yes….the “P word” does happen to me. So before this goes any further with me or with you, I want to offer some ideas about how to move forward especially when your head feels like it’s going to explode. Remember - inner chaos creates outer chaos. So first, take a moment and breathe. Then get yourself a piece of paper and make a list.

But I hate making lists (Maybe that’s my problem!).

Start by writing everything out on a piece of paper. I mean everything – yes, write down all the things you think you should be doing but aren’t.

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You are now trying to create some mental clear space. This will help you think rationally.

In case you didn’t realize it, this is a piece about mental clutter. When you finish your list, I want you to cross out anything on the list that is beyond your control. The things that are left should be the things you can do something about; that you would like to put together a plan to accomplish. But what about the things I think I should do, but in my heart of hearts know I never will - things that are not in my sweet spot to do. There is a trick to recognizing these things. They are persistently there. If you are a person who thinks you can do it all, these things will never go away and they will be on your list forever. You will also be feeling badly about not accomplishing these things that you think you should be doing.

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Guess what??? We all can’t be good at everything. So be honest with yourself. If you know you are never going to actually do these things, now is the time to cross them off your list. There are other people around who may love to do what you don’t. Why not give them a call?

Now, start tackling the remaining list! You might be surprised by how much more quickly you can move through it.  Feeling good about yourself….enjoying the last days of summer….welcoming September!

 

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