Overwhelm - to overcome completely in mind or feeling: to cover or bury beneath a mass of something, to load, heap, treat or address with an excessive amount of anything.
Two of the best ways to avoid overwhelm are to clarify exactly what you will and won't do and who you will and won't follow for advice. Look at your life and figure out how you can create more happiness and eliminate stress. I call this stress prioritizing.
For this example, writing is at the top of the list. Analyze your daily to-do list and for each item ask, will this further my writing goals? If yes, it stays. If no, can it be removed, delegated to someone else, ot at least reduced in time or made easier in some way?
I've arranged my business according to what provides income now and what will enable me to gradually progress to a mobile lifestyle in order to travel and do what I enjoy with the least amount of stress.
Spending a couple hours in the sunshine doing a family portrait is relaxing to me. Doesn't feel like work at all. Even running around like crazy while photographing a five hour event is all fun! Writing is the end all be all for me with weekly blog posts, submitting articles to several online sites, ebooks, a novel, and copywriting for clients. Social media strategies, such as Facebook and Twitter support and promote my efforts.This organization keeps my health where I need it to be, my attitude in the positive range where I want it to be, and my income on the rise.
You have to decide what's most important to you and what you can sacrifice or minimize. Where do you want to be in one year, five years, ten years? NOW is the time to pave that path! You can do it without suffering from overwhelm but you have to be strict, disciplined, and exercise your right to be yourself and say no to what doesn't make you happy.
Do you have a writing mentor? There are so many incredible authors out there and teachers who instruct on how to become a wordsmith. They possess different styles, opinions, and methods. There are rules of grammar, punctuation, and book setup. Beyond that becoming an author is a very subjective journey. Find a couple of successful writers that have accomplished what you desire and read their books and study their trail to success. Then locate a couple people online who teach the genre you're interested in specializing in. Most online writing coaches offer free teleseminars that promote their programs. Check a few out until you find a personality and method match. Then try to stick with them. Attempting to learn from too many people causes overwhelm. Also, only participate in a seminar online or on location if it applies to your current projects. It's a waste of time to attend a session for an unknown future use. It's a distraction and you end up with notes to file, which is more paperwork and more confusion.
In discussing Overwhelm I must cover email. Online newsletters are an amazing tool for relationship building. However, it's easy to find yourself on too many lists. You have to be selective about whose material you agree to receive. I'm in the process of shaving my inbox down by un-subscribing to some of the mailings, not because I'm unhappy with them. It's just too much. Receiving several emails a week and multiple contacts before and after each teleseminar I sign up for is over the top. If you find yourself drowning in emailville go through and decide who is delivering information you can put into action right now to further your goals. Un-subscribe from the rest and follow their blogs if you have time and find the educational posts interesting. Make a list of those you removed. They can always be added back later if they apply to current projects. And one other important point on this topic; If you are given an option to explain when you un-subscribe let them know it's not from dissatisfaction with their products or service but just time saving on your end. Always be professional and polite.
It's not just about doing it all. The most precious part of life are the experiences we have, and who we have them with. If you're sinking in overwhelm quicksand, or feel like you're on autopilot then the days zoom by without your active participation. So evaluate where you can delete or change with a "take no prisoners" mentality. This is your life and there are no do-overs.
What is causing overwhelm in your life? Are their places you can make positive changes? OR Have you conquered overwhelm and have some helpful advice to offer?
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