How to Combat the Overwhelm of the To-Dos

Building a business, non-profit, or ministry comes with a lot of moving parts, which means a lot of to-dos, and a list that seems to get longer as time goes on. Whether preparing for an upcoming deadline or handling daily tasks to grow your vision, the feeling of overwhelm and dread can start to seep in as you look at all that needs to be done

And when your vision is one that helps others, that feeling can double. Because you want to do a good job, and you want what you’re doing, what you’re building to help people.

I'm right there with you. I feel it EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

I used to be constantly stressed and overwhelmed by the to-dos, either worrying about it or working non-stop to complete them. I soon realized this wasn't sustainable, especially if I wanted my life's work to be helping others.

By changing my approach to my to-dos to what I’m about to share with you, I now feel less overwhelmed and more focused. This doesn't mean I never feel overwhelmed, but I now know how to handle it, and that makes all the difference.

Breathe

About three years ago, I realized that I tend to hold my breath or breathe shallowly when I'm overwhelmed. To counteract this, I started to take a minute or two to close my eyes and intentionally breathe deeply.

A slow, deep breath in, hold for 4 counts, and a slow, deep breath out.

Taking a minute or two to close your eyes and intentionally breathe between or during tasks can do wonders. It can clear your mind, reset your nervous system, and release tension in your body.

Go Slower on Purpose

Sounds counterproductive, especially when you have a lot to do. I know. But, speeding through to-dos just means more errors, which then take even more time to fix. Slowing down not only mitigates mistakes, but it also gives you a chance to sort out what really needs doing. Maybe something can wait, someone else can handle it, or it’s one that doesn’t need to be done at all.

Do Less

Instead of focusing on all the tasks, I focus on one. What is the one task that needs to be done at this moment? Today? Focus only on that one for now. Then when that’s finished, move to the next. I actually get more done this way instead of trying to multitask.

When I find it difficult to concentrate, I take a break, even if I am not finished with the task. And I only return to it when I feel refreshed and ready to give it my full attention, which may be later that day or even the next. By doing this, I often come back clearer and ready to knock it out the park.

Praise Yourself More

After finishing a to-do, it's easy to simply move on to the next one. Before moving on to the next task, take a moment to celebrate and praise yourself for what you’ve already accomplished. Because finishing a task for your vision is no small feat. I like to take dance breaks!

---

Putting It into Action

• Make it Routine - I like to begin each day by setting an intention to integrate these strategies into my routine. I also use these as my phone's screensaver, serving as a constant reminder as I go about my day.

• Start small. Choose one strategy and focus on doing that one over the next two weeks.

This won’t be a one and done sort of thing. This will be something to commit to doing every day. But if you do, your mind, your body, those around you, your vision and those you help will be glad you did.

---

Comment and Share

Out of the 4 strategies above, which one stood out to you the most? How do you plan to apply it?

Comment below and let me know what came to mind as you read this post. If you found this helpful, let me know that too! 😊

And share this post if you know of someone who has a vision that helps others that could be helped by these tips.