10 Tips for Managing Overwhelm in Your Business
Managing overwhelm is a critical skill for any entrepreneur, particularly female business owners who often juggle multiple responsibilities. Feeling overwhelmed can be paralysing, leading to a loss of productivity and a sense of frustration.
It’s quite common to feel overwhelmed when running your own business..
And in my case it can lead to tears and feeling stuck and paralysed.
However, there are actionable things that you can take to manage overwhelm and regain control.
In this blog post, we'll explore ten tips to help you manage overwhelm, increase productivity and improve your overall well-being.
Take a step back and change the scenery
Sometimes, the best way to manage feeling overwhelmed is to change the scenery, take a step back and take a break. This can be anything from a 5 min break or taking a few days off.
Often all you might need is taking a very short break and changing the scenery - or going for a walk, get some sun, taking a nap, or simply stepping away from your work for a few minutes. Sometimes I just work from another desk, or go to the local library.
Brain Dump all the Business Things
When you're feeling overwhelmed, it can be helpful to write everything down in a big brain dump.
It’s a messy giant list that is full of feelings and things to do!It’s so helpful when you take a few minutes to write down all of your thoughts and tasks, without worrying about organisation or structure.
Getting everything out of your head and onto paper can help you feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
Take a deep breath and prioritise your business tasks
When you're feeling overwhelmed, it's important to take a step back and assess the situation. Make yourself take a time out. Try writing a list of all the tasks you need to complete, then prioritise them based on urgency and importance. Would the world really fall apart if you didn’t get xyz done today?
Quieten the Noise
I love to turn my phone off - the world does not stop spinning peoples. Turning off phones and other devices can help reduce overwhelm by reducing distractions.
When constantly bombarded with notifications and alerts, it can be difficult to concentrate and stay focused. Taking a break from technology can also help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
Take a break when you’re overwhelmed in your business.
5. Only do 3 three things
Limiting yourself to only three tasks can be a helpful way to manage feeling overwhelmed.
By focusing on a small number of tasks, you can work out what's most important and avoid getting bogged down in the things that don’t really need to be done.
6.Delegate Tasks
Don't be afraid to delegate tasks to others. You don't have to do everything yourself. You might not have a team that you can delegate to, but you probably do have friends, family or colleagues that could ease some of your workload. And if all else fails, hire someone on Airtasker or Fiverr to help you!
7. You don’t have to do everything that you think of..
When you're feeling overwhelmed with long list of things to do and ideas, it's important to remember that you don't have to do everything you think of. It's easy to get carried away with new ideas and projects, but it's important to prioritise and focus on what's most important.
Assess which ideas will have the biggest impact on your business or life, and focus on those first. Remember that it's okay to say no and to let go of ideas that don't serve you or your goals. Trust your instincts and intuition, and don't be afraid to make brutal decisions.
8.Take Regular breaks when working
It's important to take breaks throughout the day to give yourself a chance to recharge. Go for a walk, meditate, or simply take a few minutes to breathe deeply and clear your mind. Don’t over do it. Try to stick to
I often recommend big brain dumps for business owners… get it out of your head on paper! This reduces stress.
9.Gain Clarity
When you're feeling overwhelmed, it's easy to get bogged down and lost. Work on getting clarity. Do some actual cleaning while you get your head a bit clearer.
10. You Don’t have to Feel Alone in Your Business - Ask for help
Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Reach out to a mentor, friend, or colleague for support and guidance. Remember, you're not in this alone.5.
It’s okay to not do everything. You don’t have to do it all, you don’t have to reply to every text message or email or phone call. Things can wait.
Feeling overwhelmed is normal, particularly when running a business. However, by taking steps to manage stress and prioritise tasks, you can regain control and get back to feeling like your normal happy self.
I hope by following any of these tips, you'll be better equipped to manage overwhelm, reduce stress, and achieve your business goals.
Author - Tanya Northey, Sunshine Coast SEO Coach
