You’ve got 74 tabs open in your brain.
Deadlines. Emails. Meetings. Family. Staff issues. That thing you promised to do but forgot.
And it creeps your old friend, overwhelm. It’s not just a feeling—it’s a mental traffic jam and emotional attack.
But here’s the good news: You don’t need more willpower. You need a simple system.
Here’s a three-part strategy I’ve used (and taught) for years—and it works every time.
1. Simplify and Clarify
First, slow down to speed up.
Open a blank page. Take a breath.
Now write down everything that’s pulling on your mind. Don’t organize it. Don’t filter it. Just dump it all.
Every task. Every worry. Every “don’t forget.”
This is more than a to-do list—it’s a brain cleanse. You can’t focus if your mental RAM is maxed out.
2. Decide What Matter Most—What Stays and What Goes
Now run your list through four questions:
- Can I delegate this?
- Can I automate it?
- Can I delay it?
- Can I delete it?
Be ruthless. Overwhelm often comes not from having too much to do—but from holding onto things we shouldn’t be doing in the first place.
Clear the clutter. What’s left is your real work.
3. Prioritize and Schedule
Now look at what’s left.
Of all the remaining tasks, what are the three most important?
Now… What’s the ONE most important thing? The one that moves the needle. The one that, if done, makes the others easier or less urgent.
Do that first. Not when you “have time.” Not after emails. First.
Then, schedule the other two. Block time for them in your calendar like appointments with yourself.
Finally, block 60 minutes later in the week to review the list and tackle item #4 and beyond.
Bonus Step: Breathe
Actually, this one might be first, middle, and last.
When you feel the pressure rising, breathe intentionally:
- Inhale, and think: “I receive peace, clarity, and renewed energy.”
- Exhale, and think: “I release fear, frustration, overwhelm, and doubt.”
Repeat as often as necessary.
Sometimes, overcoming overwhelm isn’t about doing more. It’s about being clear about what needs to be done and in what order.
Final Thought
Overwhelm is a signal—it’s telling you it’s time to slow down, get clear, and return to your priorities.
You don’t have to react to everything. You don’t have to do it all at once. And you’re allowed to protect your energy while pursuing excellence.
Clarity creates calm. Priorities create purpose, and peace.
So write it all down. Decide what matters. And take action—one thing at a time.
Want to go further?
👉 Book a Strategy Call and let’s create a personalized system that clears your mind and multiplies your results.