If you’re like me, then you probably feel like you’re constantly juggling tasks and projects. I often find that when I’m feeling particularly overwhelmed by my workload, it’s helpful to reflect on how one woman once conquered her own overwhelm: Marie Curie. Not only did Curie become the first person ever to win two Nobel Prizes in two different fields, but she also built an entire scientific revolution in France while raising two children as a single mother and working through World War II—all while dying of radiation poisoning caused by handling radioactive materials without proper safety precautions! So yes, obviously this woman was incredibly smart and dedicated (and brave). Agreeably, there are many other things we can learn from her example about how we can be more productive at work without feeling so overwhelmed.
Be the boss.
Be the boss. Good leaders are self-aware, and they know when to ask for feedback from their employees. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to your co-workers and ask them to give you some tips on how they stay productive in their own lives. In the same way that a good boss has a team that supports him/her, so too should we have our own teams supporting us through challenging times (even if they’re imaginary).
- Set goals for yourself and hold yourself accountable for them
- Don’t get discouraged if things don’t go according to plan—it’s okay if something doesn’t work out in the end
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
It may seem obvious, but as humans, we have a tendency to do everything ourselves. Even if that includes tasks that are not our responsibility in the first place. In fact, it’s often better to delegate certain tasks than do them yourself given how many things we have on our plate at any given time.
Here’s how you can ask for help:
- Ask friends and family members if they’re willing to help with one or two tasks within your project(s). This is especially effective if you’ve been putting off asking them because they might say no (or they might get sick of being asked over and over again). They’ll likely agree if they already know what needs to be done and don’t mind helping out!
- Hire an expert who has expertise in the area where you need assistance (that could be anything from graphic design to social media marketing). Not only does this ensure quality results but also saves time since someone else will handle these details for you so all that’s left for you to do is give direction on what exactly needs to be done!
You can do anything you want to do if you put your mind to it.
It’s important to remember that you can do anything you want to do if you put your mind to it. With the right mindset, anything is possible!
The first step in conquering overwhelm is accepting help from others when needed. You don’t need to be afraid of asking for assistance from other people, especially if it’s someone who has experience in what you’re trying to accomplish with your project or task. In fact, asking for help is a great way for others to learn about new things as well!
Also remember: don’t be afraid of trying new things or failing either; both of these experiences will make us stronger and smarter people in the long run!
Learn new skills and use them in different ways every day.
There’s a famous quote, “Don’t be afraid to fail.” You’ve probably heard it before. But what does it mean? It means that failure is not an end or a death sentence, but rather just a moment on your path of progress. If you want to do something new, don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way! No one knows everything; we all need other people sometimes. Remember that there are many different ways of doing things and it’s okay if something doesn’t work out right away or ever at all—just keep trying until you get there!
Do what you love, not what’s most profitable.
If you don’t love what you do, it will be hard to find satisfaction in the work. You won’t be able to give it your best and you’ll end up feeling like a failure. You can still make money doing something that isn’t necessarily fun, but if possible, choose a career path that allows for self-expression and fulfilment because then your chances of success increase exponentially.
In order to pursue your passion as a full-time career path (or at least spend more time doing what makes you happy), consider changing jobs or starting side projects on the side of your current job until such time as opportunities arise within the industry where there is room for growth and advancement—and perhaps even more importantly—room for enjoyment!
If none of these options fit into your current circumstances then perhaps taking some time off might prove beneficial in allowing new perspectives on where life has taken us thus far while also giving us greater insight into our personal needs now versus those which existed previously when making decisions about education/career paths etcetera…
Give yourself goals, not just tasks.
Goals are a great way to keep yourself motivated. They’re more effective than simply having a list of tasks because goals give you something to work toward that has meaning and value.
- A goal can be anything: “I want to drink water every day,” or “I want to find an apartment within the next month.”
- It’s always good to have multiple smaller goals in addition to your main or overall goal. For example, if your main goal is finding an apartment within one month, then small subgoals can include contacting five real estate agencies and visiting five apartments each week during that time period. That way when it comes down the line for you to actually find an apartment (the big boss), then all those smaller tasks will have been accomplished earlier on so it’ll be easier for you!
- Finally, it’s important not only set goals but also to reward yourself once they’re achieved! It could be something as simple as buying yourself some ice cream after getting everything done on time at work today—or maybe even going out with friends tonight instead since now doesn’t seem like such a rush anymore since we’ve already met our deadline!
If you really have a busy schedule, that’s okay!
If you really have a busy schedule, that’s okay!
It’s not about how busy you are, it’s about how you feel about it. You can always change your schedule if you need to.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it may be time to ask yourself what needs to get done next and what can wait. You can’t do everything but you can do something—and making that choice will help decrease the overwhelm and increase productivity.
Conquering overwhelm doesn’t have to make you feel bad
Overwhelm and low productivity can be caused by a variety of factors, such as having too much to do, feeling disorganized, or lacking focus. Here are a few strategies you can try to conquer overwhelm and increase productivity:
- Create a to-do list: Write down all the tasks you need to complete, and prioritize them by importance or deadline. Seeing everything in writing can help you feel more in control and focused.
- Set goals: Having specific, achievable goals can help you stay motivated and on track. Break your goals down into smaller, manageable tasks, and tackle them one at a time.
- Take breaks: Working for long periods without a break can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Schedule breaks to give your mind and body a rest.
- Minimize distractions: Turn off notifications on your phone and computer, and create a quiet, distraction-free workspace if possible.
- Practice time management: Use tools like the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for a set amount of time, then take a short break, to help you stay focused and avoid burnout.
- Get enough sleep: Poor sleep can impact your energy, mood, and ability to concentrate. Make sure you’re getting enough rest to support your productivity.
- Seek support: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask for help from a friend, family member, or a mental health professional. It’s important to take care of your well-being in order to be productive.
Conclusion
Conquering overwhelm doesn’t have to make you feel bad. Instead, it can be an opportunity to become a better version of yourself. By focusing on the big picture and building up your skillset, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve success in both your professional and personal lives.
If you want to start your own Freelance business, check out these resources:
– The Freelancer Startup Kit
– The Startup Guide
We invite all aspiring Virtual Assistants to join our community where you can connect & collaborate with other freelancers.