The best, I mean worst, day

Best. Worst.

I can often use these words to describe the same thing:

Entrepreneurship. Marriage. Parenting. Homeschooling. Cooking.

The things that matter most to me are often the things that are susceptible to the pendulum of my emotions because I’m investing in them. They are a big part of my journey and take up a huge chunk of my energy. I’m passionate about them and so can feel passionately frustrated when things feel like they’re not working.

I’m not sure who needed to hear this today, but sometimes when I’m running full-steam-ahead…I run straight into a wall. With all that enthusiasm for a new project, new year, new idea, I lose my rhythm. When I throw too many things into the mix, I desperately need everything to go smoothly so I have the time, energy, and will power to make it all happen.

But this is a quick way to forget that we don’t, in fact, control anything beyond ourselves. The solution is one part strategy and one part perspective. Feeling down and feeling up is where we find our power or lose it. And, we pretty much let everyone else decide how we feel. The control you’re looking for isn’t is managing others, it’s in managing your own emotional state. Choosing to let things go. Choosing to see things in a different way.

We start with perspective because it shapes strategy. If you don’t think something is possible, you’re not finding a solution.

Here’s your supportive action step. Without asking for support or creating a prioritized list, it all feels equally important in the moment. And it is, in one way. It is all important to you in the long run, but not all of it requires your focus in the right now.

So here’s my strategy. Instead of just writing a list and letting it add up (as lists do), write a list that offers direction. Here’s how. Write down all your tasks and add due dates. Break any item into single tasks so that what ends up on your checklist is a single actionable step able to be completed (in one sitting).

If you’re looking for a deeper dive, download my free guide Overcoming Overwhelm. It’s simple and straight to the point. Overwhelm doesn’t survive productive action. (That’s different than busy.) It’s tried and true and helps me use my energy efficiently.

Pass this along to anyone else you know who could use some help banishing overwhelm!