Maybe I watched too many episodes of “ER” in my youth, but sometimes I can’t help but see my day-to-day life as a process of triage. When I’m overwhelmed, I can’t see much beyond the next task demanded of me, so the only decision I can make is what the next step should be. Which would be most beneficial? Which is most necessary?
I know this sounds awful, but in some ways, this is a weird advantage. I’m less likely to become stuck overanalyzing too many things at once -- and single-tasking is more efficient than multitasking, anyway.
Sometimes I have to weigh essential tasks against dwindling energy. Other times I need more of a checklist-based “this task is next” reminder. I find this limited focus helps me continue working toward completing a project even when competing demands threaten to overpower me.
Challenge:
If you feel you’re becoming overwhelmed at any point over the next week, try to drill down to the basics. Which thing would be the best thing to do next? What’s the next logical step? Just do that next thing, take a deep breath, then determine the next thing after that. Take a break as soon as you’re able.
Extra Credit:
Are there specific activities that consistently bring on a feeling of overwhelm? Are there certain crunch times at work or other repetitive circumstances that bring on this feeling? Look for patterns so you can better prepare for next time. If, for instance, end-of-month paperwork always feels overwhelming, find small ways to manage it before the deadline is imminent. One idea: Make a literal, physical checklist to manage recurring tasks like these. Try not to schedule other commitments around your busiest times (if they’re predictable) and delegate non-essential tasks to housemates and colleagues where you can.
Quick Reminder:
Today is the last day of June, so it’s time to look over next month. You might want to take a few minutes this evening to check your to-do list and your upcoming schedule for the next month, so you’re ready to turn those calendar pages tomorrow!
Until Next Time:
I hope you’re having a peaceful week, and being overwhelmed is the last thing on your mind. But I also hope I’ve given you a nudge to think about how to manage the glut the next time too many tasks inevitably come your way.