Have you ever found yourself feeling overwhelmed? Did you feel as though you were letting yourself as well as others down, because you were unable to tackle everything on your to do list? I have been there more times than I would like to admit. However, because I develop my own schedule, when I become overwhelmed, I cannot blame anyone but myself! There are typically two reasons why we become overwhelmed. The first reason is failing to prioritize and the second reason is being afraid to say “No.” When you begin to feel overwhelmed, it is important that you take a step back, clear all distractions, and block out at least one hour of alone time. During this one hour of alone time, you should devise a plan that will allow you to focus on a maximum of three items that are of the most importance. Attempting to do too much in a brief period of time, inevitably leads to feeling overwhelmed.
If you are a kind and giving person like I am, it can be difficult to say “No” when someone asks for an hour or two of your time. However, if your schedule is already hectic, you must prioritize your time. You place yourself under unnecessary stress when you over commit. In fact, when you over commit, you are likely to under deliver. When you prioritize, you essentially make a decision to focus your energy on what matters most. We sometimes let things of very little importance, steal most of our time. However, you are more productive, when you distinguish what you must do from what you would like to do. For example, the world will not come to a halt if the laundry is not folded or if there are dishes in the sink! Do not allow small distractions to shift your focus. This week I challenge you to prioritize your time and energy. Until next week…..
Dr. Jessica Houston
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