The Structure of Overwhelm

Extract from diary on 10th May 2007:

"Dear Diary Just returned from a trip to the States and its all been quite overwhelming since I got back...so much to do, so little time! The fence has blown down (not good when the house is on the market), the car wouldn't start because the battery was flat and the appointments in my diary are completely hectic... sometimes I don't know where to start... Eek!"

In a culture of having it all, overwhelm is a common side effect. Living life to the fullest is one of my values but there are times when it is difficult to see the wood for the trees with unachievable goals and unrealistic deadlines. How do you handle these periods of added stress? In my case, the mixture of new business, new relationship and moving home can leave me feeling like there is a lot to do - welcome to overwhelm!

At times like this, taking care of yourself becomes an absolute necessity. I call this "TESC" (The Extreme Self Care) programme. Like a car, if you run out of fuel you won't be going anywhere, so at stressful times eating a healthy diet (you know the stuff.. plenty of green veggies!) drinking water, creating quiet "down time" (meditation, relaxing massages, etc) and exercising are vital to keep you on the road.

If you find yourself in overwhelm, you may well be trying to predict the future too far in advance. Remember to break projects and activities down into the next smallest step and only go out into the future as far as you can continue to remain positive and optimistic.. if it starts to feel bad, you are probably thinking too far ahead.

Notice where you hold pictures in your mind of things to be done. Generally, pictures that lead to overwhelming strong emotions are visualised in front of us and above us and we tend to make them big - hence they seem overwhelming. Try playing with the aspects (sub-modalities) of the pictures you are visualising.. reduce the size or move the picture down and notice what happens.

Prioritise! Prioritise! Prioritise! At these times, be really clear about what you want to happen that is aligned with who you are and the future you want to create. Try the power of three exercise... Choose three actions (next smallest steps) each day that move you closer to Living Your Inspired Life and schedule them into your day. Even if life is hectic, a sense of movement will help you to feel confident that you are on track and keep overwhelm at bay!

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" - Confucius