Our lives have never been busier than they are now. There are endless things to do, tasks to complete, courses to take, skills to learn, emails to answer, and so on. This can make us feel overwhelmed. So, what can we do to manage a lot of tasks that demand our attention at the same time?
1. Take responsibility
The first step is to take responsibility for your situation. Even though there are factors beyond our control, focusing on this will only make us frustrated and lead to things falling apart. Focus on what you can do and take responsibility for the situation you are in. This will empower you to take action and change different aspects of what’s going on.
Try to limit how much you depend on other people or expect them to do certain things. Sometimes, it’s unavoidable, but do what you can to take control of the situation.
2. Finish the big task first
There is always that one task that we procrastinate or dread the most. It feels especially big, especially boring or unpleasant, and, as a result, we tend to leave it until the end. However, a good solution to feel less overwhelmed is to deal with the biggest task first.
Whether this refers to the volume of work it involves or to the perceived unpleasantness it is likely to have, focus on whatever you dread the most. There are several benefits to it. It helps you clear the worst thing off your schedule, which motivates you to get the rest done. It can provide a powerful sense of accomplishment. Another benefit is that this approach helps you deal with what requires more effort and energy first rather than leave it until a point you are tired from other tasks.
3. Don’t focus on the blame and anger
There are ways in which we can also overwhelm ourselves. When we try to find people to blame or build up our anger by going over the situation time and again, we are not helping ourselves.
Instead, we create a mindset that is not constructive and does not allow us to focus on the task at hand. We get too much stress when it’s unnecessary. Instead, a good idea is to focus on the constructive aspects of the situation. See what you can do to fix it and how you can address it. Don’t ruminate on what went wrong again and again.
4. Make a plan and write it down
Often, we plan things in our minds, but don’t actually commit to anything. Keeping everything in our heads can be stressful, so it’s better to write our plans down. This has several advantages. It allows you to see things more clearly and plan more thoroughly, adding deadlines and dates to keep everything squared.
It also will allow you to feel less overwhelmed, as you will put all your ideas down on paper and out of your head.
5. Take it a step at a time
When you feel overwhelmed, it becomes especially important to set priorities and split your tasks into smaller chunks. Focus on a single task and a single step at a time. When we go from one activity to another activity, it is easier to do them better and complete them effectively.
It also helps reduce the stress and move forward without feeling paralyzed by anxiety tied to just how much still needs to get done.
6. Remember that you will finish
A stressful aspect of feeling overwhelmed is the sensation that things will just continue indefinitely as they are. Focusing on when you will be done and how temporary the situation truly is, will help you endure and remain optimistic.
Remember that no matter how big things seem, in a week or a month, they will appear differently and a lot less meaningful than now. Stay optimistic and hopeful about your work, and remember that it is all temporary.
7. Ask for help
Social support is very important to cope with any stressful situations. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether help with the tasks themselves or just emotional support.
Feeling that others can support you and give you a hand if needed can significantly reduce stress and negative emotions and make you feel more empowered to work through all the things you have to do.
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