How good are you at dealing with overwhelm? We’re all coping with so much at the moment, what with energy hikes and inflation, and many are still feeling the effects of lockdown and sharing the home office with loved ones. And if we’re being honest, it can all feel like too much - and that’s before you even think about running your business!
It’s often compounded further when you get back to work after your summer break. There’s the struggle and overwhelm associated with catching up with an avalanche of emails, posts and outstanding tasks, as well as getting back into that work routine – no wonder you already feel you need another holiday!
If you’re struggling with it all, you’re not alone. So here are my top tips for dealing with overwhelm and staying calm at work.
#1: The first step toward dealing with overwhelm is to get crystal clear on your why
What’s your core reason for having your own business? What do you want to achieve from working for yourself – is it freedom, financial security, being able to help a certain group of people? Get clear on your why and you’ll have a clear focus to guide you forward.
#2: Take a moment to acknowledge and accept your feelings
Acknowledge how you’re feeling. The last thing you want is to push those feelings down and ignore them, because they’ll just show up differently. Acknowledging and naming those feelings is the first step to understanding and exploring the reasons for them showing up in your life.
#3: Learn to focus on what you can control
You can’t control everything and worrying about things you have no control over will just stress you out more. So get clear on what is within your control and focus on managing those things. For example, if online visibility is one of those things stressing you out, here are things you can do to ease that.
#4: Practice mindfulness; it’s great for when you’re dealing with overwhelm
Mindfulness has so many significant benefits; it can lower your blood pressure, improve your sleep and relieve stress. And of course, it’s great if you’re dealing with overwhelm too. You’ll find plenty of mindfulness meditations and courses online, so why not give it a try?
#5: Focus on your breathing
Even taking a few moments to focus on your breathing will help you drop some of that overwhelm. It helps you notice the thoughts running through your head. A popular breathing technique is the ‘4-7-8’ one – where you breathe in for a count of 4, hold it for 7 and then release it for 8.
#6: Look after yourself first
You can’t give from an empty cup, so always look after yourself first. Take plenty of breaks and rest when needed. Also, have a set work pattern, so you know when to down tools and switch off.
#7: Do what you love
Finally, always look to do what you love, as it’s the best way to feel content in your work. You can outsource most things to a Virtual Assistant or personal PA for just a few hours a month. So why not make a list of the tasks you currently do and highlight anything that isn’t something you love, so you know where to start?
If you’re looking to outsource more to a Virtual Assistant, as part of your plan for dealing with overwhelm, why not get in touch? We offer a range of solutions designed to free up your time and ease your workload, so let’s chat – you’ll find our contact information here.
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