Posts tagged managing overwhelm
9 signs that you might be slipping back into "busyness" and overwork

By Tim Gouw

You slumped into December feeling overworked and frazzled and promised yourself that this year will be different. That you won’t succumb to the culture of busyness and will protect your time, space and energy. The first step in mastering this is awareness. Knowing when you are showing the signs of sliding back to that place of overwhelm and overwork can be challenging, it creeps up on us minute by minute, email by email, this article shares some insights to help you recognise when you’re working too hard.

Overworking is rapidly becoming so prevalent that it’s being normalised. Resting, relaxing and recreation (yes that’s re-creation of our selves!) are an essential part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

It is not lazy to switch off your mobile in the evening, It is not lazy to skip a work-out one day because your body is screaming at you that it needs to rest. Feeling “tired but wired” is a sign of adrenal stress and is NOT an indicator that you are weak or not coping.

Here are 9 indicators that you are working too hard

  1. Experiencing difficulty relaxing or switching off

  2. Feeling like there are not enough hours in the day

  3. Difficulty asking for help

  4. Feeling overwhelmed by your never ending to-do list

  5. Feeling like you are always “on the back foot”

  6. Being irritable towards those closest to you

  7. Craving sugar

  8. Not sleeping well (tired but wired)

  9. Relying on coffee to get you through the day

By Kobby Mendes

Four ways to bring more balance into your life - and we don’t mean balancing donuts!

  • Schedule rest and relaxation time into your week as a priority. Protect this space in the same way you would a meeting with an important client. YOU are your most important client.

  • Consider using a default diary approach to your calendar. Productivity Coach, Kate Galbally shares how in this blog.

  • It may seem counter productive, but down tools and go for a walk.

  • Share how you are feeling with someone you trust

Our NETwalking sessions are a great way to help you get out for that much needed walk with great company.

What's Blocking You? - Understanding Barriers to Getting Started
Image by MagnetMe

Image by MagnetMe

We’ve all been there - staring blankly into space, waiting for inspiration to strike or living in fear of the deadline getting so close we can no longer avoid starting the “thing” we’ve been putting off.

When this happens it’s easy to become so overwhelmed we feel incapable of taking ANY action - in a word we’re BLOCKED!

This blog guides you through a series of questions to help get you unblocked and take action.

Overcome blocks.png

Next time you catch yourself saying or thinking “I can’t do this now”, consider the following…

Time

  • Is this the right time for you to do this?

  • Could you do it at a different time?

  • What needs to change in your schedule to allow you to do this?

  • Are you prepared to invest this time?

Are you ready to take action? If no, move to…

Task

  • Why is this task on your list in the first place?

  • Do you know exactly what the required outcome of this task is?

  • What is it about this task that makes it difficult?

  • Can it be broken down into smaller “chunks”?

  • Do YOU have to do it?

  • Can you ask for help or delegate this?

  • Why is this task important?

Are you ready to take action? If no, move to…

Skill

  • Do you have the skills/abilities to complete this task?

  • What else do you need to learn?

  • Do you want to invest the time/money/energy in this learning?

  • What else will you be able to do if you master the skills required to do this?

  • Who could you ask for help?

Are you ready to take action? If no, move to…

Belief

  • When in the past have you overcome something similar?

  • What was the outcome then?

  • What did you learn from that experience?

  • How did it make you feel?

  • What is different now?

  • How does that change your view of this task?

Are you ready to take action? If no, move to…

Identity

  • What is your personal identity right now?

  • Does this task fit or conflict with your sense of self?

  • Does this task challenge or uphold your values?

  • In what way does this task challenge or uphold your values?

  • What are the consequences of NOT doing this?

  • Do you HAVE to do this?

What action will you take?

These are the types of questions that could be asked during Active Coaching sessions with Kelly, helping you get unblocked and take action.