The Logic of Overwhelm

More things to do than it’s possible for any one person to do.

That’s logic of overwhelm

This is true for everyone these days but for leaders it’s on another level.

Like being the only plumber in town you’re overwhelmed with jobs and you have agreed an obligation to everyone.

You are there to serve the customer, the team, investors, your family and yourself.

Overwhelm is a feeling of hopelessness like you’re swimming against the tide which tends to come as a result of focusing on all of the things that you’re are NOT doing but think you should be.

I should be helping more at home, I should be helping my team, I should be connecting with the customers and keeping them happy, the show ends if I don’t keep the board happy, I’m getting fat, unhealthy and my sleep is suffering I should be doing more for my health!

The first step I have my clients take is to let go of the should, the must, the have to, even if just for a while.

Focusing on what’s not being done only grows the feeling of hopelessness which grows that feeling of overwhelm and exhaustion.

Then what I have my clients do is document really PRECISELY on what they are already doing.

The should’s are focusing on thought, I want to bring them into REALITY.

Inevitably they find that they are doing a tonne of stuff that’s moving them forward but, like everyone they are doing a bunch of things that are slowing them down, holding them back and growing the overwhelm.

I start with them not by adding in a load more stuff to their schedule but by taking away those habits and behaviours that are holding them back.

The freedom this gives is pretty amazing and the bonus is that not only are they doing less but they actually find that they are serving the customers, investors, team, family and themselves MORE than they previously were doing.

If you’re overwhelmed, doing place your attention on speed by on clearly aligning your actions with your direction.