3 Tips to Overcome the Overwhelm

Have you ever thought “I have so much to do, I don’t know where to start”?

I know I have … and sometimes, I still do.

Last week, I attended a meeting of my Mastermind group. In addition to the individual hot seat sessions, there were targeted sessions for things like Planning, Blogging and Branding, to name a few. There was also a session on Overwhelm.

From Overwhelmed to Happy

Deanne Marie (http://www.deannemarie.com) facilitated the session and my biggest takeaway were these 3 Tips to Overcome the Overwhelm:

• 15 minute method
• Power Day
• Power Hour

Two days after the Mastermind I decided to Teach to Learn, and shared these 3 Tips in a speech to my Toastmasters club. And my club members were excited by Deanne’s three tips and wanted me to share the video of my speech (and I will). But first, I will share them here in writing.

15 minute method

• This tool can be used any time.
• Use this tool when you are putting off starting a task for whatever reason.
• This tool will help you overcome inertia and let you take that valuable first step (knowing that it is only for 15 minutes).
• It is similar to the Pomodoro Technique
• You set a timer for 15 minutes
• You commit to working until the timer goes off.
• At the end of the 15 minutes, you can choose to continue working or move on to something else.
• This tool can also work to limit the time spent surfing the web or doing social networking.

Power Day

• This tool is something you might use once or twice a month to make progress on several larger tasks
• Plan to have the resources you need available before you start.
• For each of six to ten tasks, create one hour slots (45-50 minutes of work with 10-15 minute breaks, to get coffee or listen to voice messages from calls you ignored during the hour)
• Mix it up if you can – an hour at the desk, an hour on a task that has you moving around (if possible)

Power Hour

• This tool is also something you might use once or twice a month, to make progress on several smaller tasks like making appointments, returning phone calls, planning larger tasks.
• Again, plan to have the resources you need available before you start.
• Divide the hour into 6 to 10 slots and time them appropriately
• If you are on the phone with someone who likes to chat, you can honestly say “I have to go, I am on a deadline.

Thanks to Deanne Marie, I now have 3 tools to overcome the overwhelm. And so do you.