How are you doing with your overwhelm? I’m doing pretty good right now.
I still have a huge t0-do list and if I look at it all right now, I’d be right back into my overwhelm again. No peeking.
I set myself a time limit in my last article – Is Overwhelm Knocking You Off Your Game?
In that article I talked about – Eating The Elephant One Bite At A Time. Some very nice comments were left in the reply’s including Wanda’s, where she suggested I eat chocolate instead. *giggle*
I gave myself 4 full days to complete one huge project.
Pre Day 1
I listed everything (every tiny detail) that I wanted to make sure I finished to be able to call this project complete
Day 1
I had a pretty good day. I finished up about 1/3 of the list. Then I added a few things to the list. Grrrr…. making the list a bit longer.
I do like the feeling that I can add to the list, while I’m creating new content. Much like adding to the outline of a book, I think that I’m adding even more value to the finished project.
Day 2
ePiC fAiL
Everything got in the way today, including myself. Too little sleep the night before (because I was so excited to be focused and getting ‘er done) left me feeling out of sorts. I found myself taking a long nap (again) and then forcing myself to get to bed at a decent time.
I did make it through the 2 hour class with extreme focus, because I want to learn this process and tool. After class, I went through my regular routine of email, FaceBook, checking stats and 10 minutes of light book-keeping.
That was it! Not one thing was really touched on my new project.
Funny… I don’t have an overwhelming or discouraged feeling. I feel like tomorrow will be a better day, and just called it a day.
Day 3
I woke up Happy! This is how I normally wake up (when I’m not overly anxious) and it feels good. I took care of my daily routine and then shut everything down. No email, FaceBook or checking any stats. No Distractions!
My list is getting really small – and I have one full day left. I get to bed at a decent hour (any time before midnight is early for me).
Feeling good about the progress – the finish line feels very close.
NOTE: Just before I closed down for the night, I added about 4 more things to my list AND worked on one of my weekly (every Thursday) projects.
So…. I’ve added to the list for tomorrow (Wednesday) , but I’m also way ahead of my to-do list for Thursday.
Day 4 – Finish Day
Rocky start in the morning. Computer decided to have a glitch and hubby worked on it for 2 hours. I took care of my regular email, book-keeping, Facebook and stats with my tablet while I waited. (and played a few rounds of Candy Crush, unpacked a few boxes of inventory etc. )
Now it’s mid – afternoon and I’m almost finished. BTW – in between editing and uploading video I have time to watch a 2 hour tutorial about something I am very interested in learning. I feel like I’m multitasking – happy dance.
Guess what? I realized (right in the middle of making a video tutorial) that an entire section is missing from this new project. It’s pretty important stuff. Sigh….
What did I do? I added this new project to my to-do list and gave myself a new due date for that specific portion of the project.
Why? It’s got to get done, but it isn’t going to get done today. I’m not interested in adding to my anxiety level. Just add another elephant – and worry about eating it later.
5:15 pm – It’s Done! Everything is finished (except for that one new section I now have on my to-do list). The plan I made a few days ago… the plan that was giving me anxious (crawl into bed) frustration… It’s Done. Yippee!
Why Am I Sharing My Own Overwhelming Elephant?
What’s the purpose of sharing all this with you? Why would anyone care about MY overwhelming mood?
I think misery loves company. *giggle* Really… don’t you feel better when you know that someone else has a few struggles to pull through?
You can see that I had a plan, then overwhelm with the plan, then worked out a plan of action, took action (with a few bumpy spots) and crossed the finish line.
Take Action
Focus
Do Something
Rinse and Repeat!
Thank you for letting us have a peek into your world and how you are dealing with the Elephant and the Overwhelm! You are inspiring me! I have a ways to go, but I’ll keep plugging away! (And my elephant IS made out of chocolate, ha, ha!)