Overwhelm is defined as “bury or drown beneath a huge mass” or “give too much of a thing to (someone); inundate.”
When you are overwhelmed by too many things to do, it can be difficult to do anything. Let’s be clear about the real enemy attacking you, though. It is not the amount of things you need to do that is the real problem to overcome; it is the fear of not getting it all done.
That dread of not getting it all done is what holds you back from your best work. It will impede your ability to concentrate. You will be in a bad mood when you aren’t able to focus on your work.
So, step one is identify the enemy: the fear and dread of not getting it all done and . . .
Ignore him.
Instead . . .
- Identify the time when you will be able to work.
- Get clear on the exact tasks and projects that you must complete by a certain time. Write it down on a piece of paper separate from your usual productivity system or to-do list. Write down everything that is “Not Urgent” on a separate part of this sheet of paper and tell yourself it is not essential to get this done right now.
- Block out the time in which you will work on these tasks.
- When you sit down to work, ignore the other tasks and do just this one thing.
