Streamlining All That Needs to be Done

What happens when your To Do list is filled with so many tasks that it begins to overwhelm you?  I just got back from a three day trip and I’m suddenly faced with SO many things that must be done, I’m asking myself this question.  How do I choose?  Or the better question is how to I not become overwhelmed and “thrash” from task to task and not accomplish anything?

Thrashing is the term that stuck with me several years ago.  It was perfect to describe the feeling of being in the midst of frenzied behavior.  It comes as the result of having many things that need to be done, not really wanting to do them, and not knowing where to start.  It is accompanied by a swirling knot in the pit of my stomach and isn’t a feeling I enjoy. So how do I counteract it?

Here are some strategies that I use to handle the overwhelm:

1.  Make a list.
2. Take action
3. Set a timer
4. Alternate tasks
5. Give some things to the universe – or someone else

Make a list and Take action often compete against one another.  I like the idea of making a list because then I know just what I need to do.  But, when I know that the list might take even 10 minutes, I want to take immediate action instead.  Let me tell you the advantages of taking the time to make a list first.

When you make a list you know exactly what you want to get done.  You can estimate the amount of time each task will take.  You can estimate the importance.  You also get some awesome rush of endorphin’s when you cross completed tasks off your list.  So take 10 – 15 minutes and make a list.  (Some people say 5 minutes.  My list making is never that short.)

Then take action.  Pick a task and get started.  Nothing says success more than getting something done.  So, take action.

Set a timer.  If it is something that I don’t want to do, I give it all my energy for 15 – 30 minutes.  No more.  This lets me make progress.  If it needs more time to accomplish when my timer goes off, I take a 5 minute break and then dive in again.  The focus is important because it lets me get more done in less time.  The break is also important because it lets me relax and breathe, so I can then refocus.

I like to alternate tasks.  If I have to do a lot of similar tasks, I get pretty cranky.  So instead of doing all my cleaning at once, for example, I’ll clean a room and then do some paperwork and clean another room.  It breaks up the routine and keeps it fresh.

My final tip is to identify the things that may not need to be done, that you can ask someone else to help you with, or that you can ask the universe to solve the problem for you.  It is amazing how many items can be accomplished by someone or something else if you give up control and allow them to be.

So, that’s some of the ways that I handle my overwhelm.  What about you?  Do you have any tips that would be helpful?  Please share!  I’m always eager to learn how to streamline, reduce stress, and enjoy!