Could Overwhelm be an Opportunity?
We talk about overwhelm a lot these days. It's an overused word that feels dramatic to me. I'm trying, and I hope you might too, to see this sensation as an opportunity.
Overwhelm most commonly means being overcome with emotion as a result of an amount of something (work, stress, etc.) that’s just too much to handle (cite). I'm sure you can think of a time recently when you felt that way.
I'm going through some crazy stuff right now...my father had a heart attack, my husband needs open heart surgery, I've been put on a super restrictive diet, I'm trying to grow my business, I've taken on a part-time job, and children are being shot in schools and churches. Yes, it's a lot. I'm only overwhelmed, though, if I let the emotion take control. I choose to reframe it into an opportunity by asking myself the following questions:
What's my trust level with myself and those involved?
Am I going off facts, or am I making the situation into more than it really is?
How can I break this into its simplest form so I can make a decision?
Am I being grateful for the good in my life or just focusing on the bad?
TRUST - My dad is in Montana, and there's very little I can do from Minnesota to help him. My husband is asymptomatic, and the cardiologist isn't pushing for the surgery to be done right away. In both cases, I remind myself to trust the doctors, who know WAY more than I do.
FACTS - With my dad, husband, and my health, I stay focused on the facts. Data, information, and details should almost always take precedence over emotions. Dwelling on "what ifs" can be exhausting. When I'm stressed, there is no room for assumptions or additional drama.
SIMPLIFY - My new diet is clear on what I should avoid if I want to feel better. Yes, it sucks that I can't enjoy my favorite foods and beverages anymore. I now ask myself a question before putting food in my mouth...is this the right food for my goal of feeling better? The simplicity of the question removes the emotions tied to the foods I love but can't eat for a while.
GRATITUDE - My business is growing, as is my network. I'm loving it and I'm struggling, all at the same time. Balancing my creative endeavor with a second passion project will require me to prioritize my time and energy like never before. Hidden in the stress, though, is a subtle reminder that I get to do what I love and I'm privileged to help so many people.
I challenge you to look at overwhelm as an opportunity. The stress is telling you that something needs to be adjusted, adapted, or eliminated. It's allowing you to make changes!
How can trust, facts, simplicity, and gratitude be relevant to the situation that has you feeling overwhelmed right now? Do you need some new techniques for your personal situation? Schedule a Discovery Call on my Contact page.
This blog was written by Tracy with absolutely no use of AI.
