Under water and upside down … photo credit: Frederic Poirot via photopin cc
Hello there!
It is a sad reality but many people – even those who look the opposite, are quite overwhelmed. There are many reasons for this.
We live in an information overload era. SO much information is at our fingertips we can hardly keep up with a fraction of what comes our way.
We are bombarded with information, research and enticing offers…and products…and “once-in-a-lift-time-don’t-miss-THIS-one” opportunities. And ‘opportunities’ should be in quotes in that last sentence as it is often not the case.
We are bombarded by requests and expectations and deadlines. Then there are commitments we made to others…and those to our self about being more productive and selective, more accountable and committed to REAL joy and peace and prosperity.
We are bombarded by social media and all that comes with it: The many links to ‘must-read’ info and the pictures that look oh-so-enticing.
We are bombarded by people’s apparent success, insights and their in-the-moment emotions; negative and positive.
We are bombarded by SO much from so many different directions. It’s so easy to be side-tracked by the drama and the chatter!
7 most powerful tips for staying calm and not becoming overwhelmed:
1. COMMIT to and stick to your early morning routine – oh my…you don’t have one?? Gotta have a dedicated start to your day! Decide what needs to be done each morning in order for you to grab control of your day AND your emotions BEFORE any distraction comes in your path.
For me, a drink of water (room temperature) and quiet time for prayer and meditation are essential. I also have a few people I call each morning at 6, 7 and 8 A.M. I call these folks and allow their phone to ring 3 times (they don’t pick up) and as its ringing I pray for them. It’s that simple! This morning ritual is quick and powerful. For them and for me.
2. BREATHE…deeply and effectively. These shallow breaths we take are a joke. They are barely, marginally effective. Yes, clearly they are keeping you alive…but don’t you want to be more than merely living. Breathing deeply routinely and especially when you sense a state of overwhelm coming on is magical. The increased distribution of oxygen to our lungs and cells provides more energy, clarity and potency.
3. SYSTEMS and PLANS…like the morning routine, I have definite daily routines around most activities including social media. Going on Facebook or Twitter or any of the others whenever you feel like it is begging for trouble. A certain # of minutes per day and certain time frames must be allocated. If these platforms are being used for fun, games and socializing you need to be even more strict with yourself. For those using it for professional purposes – including ministry work, product placement and niche building, a clear plan of usage is required to maximize your outcomes.
Order in all we do is a basic requirement of living well. So ordering the day (as well as our “stuff” — papers and other things) is essential if we hope to reduce and even eliminate the state of overwhelm.
4. PRAYER, PAUSE and STILLNESS… This is important as a proactive as well as a reactive measure to combat overwhelm. The proactive part is building time into your day, beginning with that morning routine, to still your mind and take control of all the distractions coming your way (they are inevitable you know). Periodic rest-pits are amazingly helpful.
The state of overwhelm is negative energy and it clings to other negative energy. So if you are feeling it, you will pull to you even more of it. The key is to still yourself in the midst of it so you can break the wicked cycle. Getting still and pulling into your space, your heart and your mind as much positive energy as you can muster will instantly place a crack in the veil of negativity and suddenly you will sense the beginning of calm.
This would be an excellent time to BREATHE as suggested above.
5. IMAGINE peace. Yes, in the midst of it all, STOP; Breathe as suggested above, state your intention with a prayer and just imagine yourself at peace. See yourself sitting in a relaxed posture, eyes closed and breathing rhythmically. Or perhaps you are most at peace sitting next to water…imagine that and hear the actual sounds you would hear sitting at the beach or lake. Maybe your ideal state of peace is walking in the woods or laughing…whatever it is imagine it with complete detail.
Spend 5 – 10 minutes in this state of imagination and I guarantee the state of overwhelm will diminish if not evaporate. I practice peace with my imagination daily and it is so very powerful!
6. SIT AND WRITE…if being overwhelmed is a habit which means it’s happening regularly, just about daily or several times per week, you might need to sit and write about it. Some key questions to ask and answer are: What is causing this state to continue? What times of the day is it most recurring? Are there triggers I need to address and eliminate? Which systems, routines and practices do I need to introduce to my daily schedule to avoid these episodes of overwhelm? Am I being still enough, long enough? Am I practicing deep and powerful breathing? Am I sufficiently hydrated?
I’m sure there are more questions to ask but begin with these. Write freely without editing and judging. Read it back and circle all those items needing follow-up action steps. Transfer the action steps to an action plan, add dates and get going!
7. LIST ALL the things you do and are responsible/accountable for each day/week. Review your list and circle all the items that can be delegated to others. Are you willing to delegate them? If yes, awesome…just do it. If not, reflect on why, as you might have just run into one of those self-sabotaging patterns overwhelmed people sometimes create; where we maintain the state of overwhelm to keep from moving forward into our highest and best life. This step can result in a major breakthrough for you so think deeply about it. Then take action!
Being overwhelmed chokes your creativity, productivity and joy. Putting an end to it means you have to regain control of your thoughts, actions and emotions. Let your actions lead your thoughts and the emotions will follow. Try these 7 steps today and watch your tomorrow be significantly more peaceful!
Just decide to change it and the change will begin. Your total commitment to peace and CALM in your life is key.
I hope these suggestions are helpful. Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter or through my website.
Wishing you an abundance of peace, joy and success,
~♥~
