Two Tips for Business Overwhelm
Successful women and especially female entrepreneurs have so much to juggle – work, home, personal life, employees, reaching goals, and community involvement. If you know, you know! And we all know that while we love it all, many days it can lead to overwhelm. And that feeling of overwhelm can stop us from getting anything done! Here I share two quick and easy methods to get yourself out of overwhelm.
Overwhelmed with Work? Try These Two Quick Reset Tips
How do you stop being overwhelmed all the time when you're running a business? Overwhelm is probably one of the main reasons why women business owners fail. You know what it feels like: you are faced with so much to do; you can't possibly do it all and you don't know what to do first.
Overwhelm is a feeling and, as you already know, it really has to do with your mind going forward into the future. You start to mentally spin with: “how am I going to do this, and this, and this, and the next week I have to do this and next month I go on vacation so I won't be able to do it then and on and on and on.” That's what overwhelm is. Your brain is projecting you into the future and you are experiencing your reaction to problems that haven’t even occurred! When you’re in this state, you will find reasons for why you can't do something because you’re trying to find a way out (of the problem that hasn’t yet happened!).
First you must recognize when you’re overwhelmed. This is pretty easy as we’ve all had lots of experience! It will look different for everyone but it usually shows up as stress, irritability or just plain exhaustion. Sometimes it will look like spending your entire day working without feeling like you made a dent. So, first step for you is to start paying to attention to your reactions. Start noticing your brain trying to take over your to-do list and then try these two techniques. It does take a little practice but stick with it because it will be so worth it.
Two Techniques to Stop Overwhelm You Can Do Right Now
Try these two easy methods to stop overwhelm almost immediately (hint: this isn’t just useful for work. Try it in your personal life and with your kids!)
- Breathe and get back to the here and now. Bringing yourself back to the present moment will help you get over overwhelmed. The best way to do this is through simple breathing exercises that bring your awareness back into your body, out of your head. Just simply inhale for 4-5 seconds, hold it for 4-5 seconds, and exhale for 4-5 seconds. Do this three times. You will feel an instant a rush of energy that will bring you back to being grounded, back into your body and out of your head (that is trying to rule you with its own agenda).
- Get Outside. Just stop what you’re doing and get outside and change your scenery. Walk out to a patio if you have one or get into some green space. Go for a short walk, get into nature, do something that brings you straight into contact with nature. Look around, really focus on what you see -- blue sky (or stars), fluffy clouds, trees, birds, flowers, sand, water. Really take it in and focus on just that for a few minutes. A change of scenery and the beauty of nature will stop you thinking about everything in the future and bring you back into your body.
I hope these two tips help you when those overwhelm moments come, when you just know you can’t do it all! Make the decision to consciously move through overwhelm instead of staying stuck inside it. Keep yourself in the now, in the moment, in your life where you are right this moment.
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Who is Leslie Kuster?
I became a 7-figure woman entrepreneur in my 50s -- with my successful Back From Bali clothing brand! It took some getting real with myself to finally say, “Damn it, I want money!” Now I am here to ignite women entrepreneurs -- like you -- to experience the empowerment, independence and joy of creating a business that brings you both money and freedom. Read more about my story here.