Keeping with the theme this month of “Overwhelm” I’d like to offer you a “Peek Into My Brain”!

One of the top challenges my clients face is feeling overwhelmed by the number of time demands in their life.  When we work together in our one-on-one coaching programs, we really start to focus on prioritizing and scheduling.  What is most important and how do we make sure to use diligent focus towards accomplishing this top priority each day?

[Tweet “Determine what is important – then schedule it!”]

This “simplistic” view is a great ideal to aspire to, but it can be really tough to distill it down to just ONE task!  Especially if you feel you have more “to do” than the hours that exist in a day!

Today & tomorrow, I will share a little “behind the scenes” action and give you a peek into my brain.  How do I handle overwhelm?  (Yes, even a time strategy visionary can slip into a feeling of overwhelm!)

About a week ago I woke up feeling uneasy.  I wouldn’t even be fully awake yet – but I just felt “off”.  One small, unexpected task could through my schedule off for the day. After a few days of this unsettled and anxious feeling – I sat down to examine what was happening.  (Life Lesson – don’t ignore your body!)

Once I took a few minutes to evaluate, I realized the next few weeks were pretty busy with scheduled appointments and important projects consisting of multiple tasks.  Please, don’t misunderstand.  I am NOT complaining.  In fact, I’m excited about all the opportunities!  But, I realized that I was certainly feeling the “crunch”.

In addition to working with clients, I’m also juggling the following priorities . . .

  • Presentations:  I have a number of opportunities to speak directly to professionals that really need and want to hear my message – these are the groups I serve the best.  With that excitement comes the realization that I have a number of tasks to complete – presentations to create and fine tune, hand-outs to design, promoting on social media, and . . .
  • AWE Challenge:  My 30 Day AWE Challenge starts up again in May. I’m currently creating a supplemental workbook/diary/journal/support material to help participants stay on track.  Plus, I’m adjusting some of the videos, using some new technology, and creating additional marketing content.
  • Publications:  I launched my first of three books for the Kindle on Amazon.   It’s time to market Time Management  Home Study Course for Direct Sales Professionals, finish the other two, and celebrate!
  • Professional Development:  I completed my last class to receive my coaching certificate . . . cue recorded coaching calls, website adjustments, and studying for the final evaluation!
  • Committee Obligations:  I have a few projects to finish up for some committee’s I’m on.
  • Playing on a Bigger Stage:  One of my goals this year is to participate in a JV opportunity.  I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live a life where they feel in control.  The “I’m so busy” feeling doesn’t need to be a way of life.   Participating on a telesummit allows me the opportunity to impact those that need my message the most.  Finding the right connections and creating key relationships are important components of creating this reality.
  • Marketing:  I’ve been fortunate to be a Beta tester with Gabe Arnold of tEkk3.  So much awesome marketing content, what to implement, how to implement, and when to implement . . .
  • 30 Day Challenges:  I’m participating in a number of 30 day challenges from list building to blogging to creating more happiness.
  • Networking Groups:  I’m actively involved with a number of organizations both professional and of a networking nature.

Exciting stuff for sure!!!!

After taking time to start to identify the “grumpiness, uneasiness, and anxiety” I felt each morning when I woke up I realized it was related to the slow shift I was making from living in Quadrant 2 to living in Quadrant 1.   Each of the time demands mentioned above came into my life at different times.  I didn’t start out to “overfill my plate”, however slowly each day became a little more “full”.  Then, all of a sudden, I hit “too much”!

I was moving from the Important and Not Urgent Quadrant to the Important and Urgent Quadrant.  (If you are unfamiliar with Stephen Covey’s 4 Quadrants, I invite you to visit a previous post I wrote on the subject.)   I was starting to choose my tasks based on deadlines.

I find it stressful to work through my day driven by deadlines.  I felt like I lost the ability to choose.  Instead I was running from “one squeaky wheel” to the next.

[Tweet “Is your time management strategy to fix the squeaky wheel?”]

Once I realized why I was feeling anxious – I could take steps to overcome this anxiety.

Awareness is the first step to change!  (Stage one of the A.W.E. process!)

As soon as I created this new awareness, realize why I was feeling what I was feeling, I could move into the “WORK” phase of the A.W.E process.  I was able to create a plan to leave the anxiety behind.  This included delegating, deleting, and adjusting my schedule.  Check back tomorrow for specifics!  (I’ll give you a hint . . . I didn’t PERSONALLY need to do everything!)

 

Please, share your thoughts.  Have you ever been in a similar situation?  What strategies do you use to overcome an overwhelming situation?

 

 

Image credit jesadaphorn