You know that document you need to create?
Or those expense reports you need to work on?
Or that strategy you really need to plan?
Yeah that one. The one you keep putting off.
Guess what?
That prolonged project is not a sign of your procrastination.
It’s not a sign of your lack of motivation.
It’s not a signifier of your laziness.
It is, however, another self-sabotaging excuse disguised as…
Duh, duh, duuuuuuuuhhhhhh….
Overwhelm.
Yes, even when your procrastinated task is “return shirt at Target” you are overwhelmed.
Here’s the thing about overwhelm. There are obvious ways and not so obvious ways it rears its ugly head.
Obvious ways:
- Running around like a crazy person
- Stressed and snippy with people around you
- Not getting enough sleep
- Totally slacking on exercise
- Feel like your brain might explode
Not so obvious ways:
- Feeling paralyzed
- Redoing your to-do list 15 times
- Jumping on social media
- Have brain fog and feeling scattered
Overwhelm rises in many forms that impact our emotional, physical, and mental results.
The good news is that the first step to stop drowning beneath a huge mass is rather easy.
I’m serious.
You simply have to learn how to tap into your awareness.
Where you put your focus, what and who you say yes and no to, how you react to requests – all stem from your awareness.
When you’re not tapped into your awareness you continue to operate in reactive mode, submerged in the distractions and demands of others.
On the more empowering hand, with higher awareness you step back, reassess, recalibrate and make decisions with clarity and intention.
It’s easy to let awareness fall by the wayside when you’re running by the seat of your pants, without a minute to breathe.
But it is at this very moment when your awareness must be heightened the most.
It is at this precise opportunity to stop and ask yourself:
- “Is this really the best of use of my time?”
- “Is this request truly urgent?”
- “Will this task or activity get me closer to my goals?”
You can not, you will not make changes until you train yourself to get present to the chaos and the corrections that need to be made.
You will want to fight this counterintuitive reaction.
Because it’s natural to keep pushing when circumstances get more challenging.
It’s illogical to spend MORE time to step back and reassess when you’re already so far behind.
I get it.
But the truth is, grinding forward is not serving you well either.
It’s keeping you stuck in busyness, anxiety, and mediocrity. (Checking off the list but not getting anything meaningful done).
I challenge you to STOP exactly when it feels like you shouldn’t.
Tap into your awareness.
Breathe and reassess.
And rise out of the overwhelm.
To getting more of the right things done,
Mridu
P.S.
Wanted to give you a heads up that I’m hosting a free training called “What Every High Performing Woman Needs To Know Today To Banish Overwhelm.” (Sorry to the guys!) It’s all about taking control of your energy, making your schedule work for you, and getting the right done with less stress. If this sounds like your jam I’d love to have you be a part of it! You can join me here.
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