She checked her phone for the third time in five minutes. The deadline was looming and she still had three reports to finish. She felt a surge of panic as she realized she had forgotten to reply to an important email from her boss. She opened her laptop and typed a hasty apology, hoping it would not affect her performance review. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was already past six. She sighed and wondered if she would ever have time for herself again.
Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by the work that you wanted to quit? I have. It was a few months ago when I was juggling multiple projects, deadlines, and clients. I felt like I had no time for myself, my family, or my hobbies. I was stressed, anxious, and unhappy.
I knew I had to do something to change my situation. I couldn’t keep living like this. So, I decided to find a simple way out of overwhelming myself as a professional. Here’s what I did and what you can do too.
Let’s start with the cause overwhelming.
Overwhelming is a state of feeling that you have too much to do and not enough resources to cope. It can be caused by various factors, such as:
a. Unrealistic expectations: You may have set goals that are too high or too vague for yourself or others. You may also have agreed to take on more work than you can handle.
b. Poor time management: You may have trouble prioritizing, delegating, or saying no to tasks. You may also procrastinate or get distracted easily.
c. Lack of support: You may feel isolated or unsupported by your colleagues, managers, or family. You may also lack the skills or tools you need to complete your work effectively.
d. Personal issues: You may have other problems in your life that affect your mood, energy, or motivation. These could include health, financial, or relationship issues.
What damages of being overwhelmed?
Being overwhelming can have negative consequences for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Some of the damages of overwhelming are:
a. Burnout: This is a state of chronic stress that leads to exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced performance. Burnout can affect your immune system, increase your risk of illness, and lower your quality of life.
b. Anxiety: This is a feeling of nervousness, fear, or worry that interferes with your daily functioning. Anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as headaches, chest pain, or insomnia. It can also impair your concentration, memory, or decision-making.
c. Depression: This is a mood disorder that causes persistent sadness, loss of interest, or hopelessness. Depression can affect your appetite, sleep, or energy levels. It can also make you feel worthless, guilty, or suicidal.
d. Low self-esteem: This is a negative evaluation of yourself and your abilities. Low self-esteem can make you doubt yourself, avoid challenges, or seek approval from others. It can also affect your relationships, career, or happiness.
How to find a simple way out of being overwhelmed?
The good news is that overwhelming is not a permanent condition. You can find a simple way out of being overwhelmed by following these steps:
“When you’re overwhelmed, the last thing you want to do is what you need to do.” – Tim Fargo
a. Recognize the signs: The first step is to acknowledge that you are feeling overwhelmed and identify the sources of your stress. You can do this by writing down everything that is on your mind and sorting them into categories such as urgent, important, or optional.
b. Set boundaries: The next step is to set realistic and clear expectations for yourself and others. You can do this by defining your goals and priorities, saying no to unnecessary requests, and delegating or outsourcing tasks that you don’t need to do yourself.
c. Take breaks: The third step is to take regular breaks from your work and recharge your batteries. You can do this by scheduling some time for yourself every day to do something you enjoy, such as reading, meditating, or exercising. You can also take longer breaks such as vacations or weekends off to relax and refresh.
d. Seek support: The final step is to seek support from people who can help you cope with your stress. You can do this by reaching out to your friends, family, or colleagues who can listen to you venting, offer advice, or lend a hand. You can also seek professional help from a therapist, coach, or mentor who can provide guidance, feedback, or resources.
By following these steps, you can find a simple way out of being overwhelmed as a professional. You can reduce your stress, improve your well-being, and enhance your performance.
“The best way to deal with overwhelm is to break things down into manageable tasks.” – Brian Tracy
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. There are many people who have been through what you are going through and who are willing to help you. You just need to ask.
