Overwhelmed with to-dos?

So as not to forget all the things you want to take care of, you create a to-do list.

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• You feel good.

• You add more to-dos to the list.
• The list grows.
• The list grows some more.
• Oh no!
  
• Too many to-dos. You can't prioritize.
• You feel bad and think: I’m so lazy, unproductive and irresponsible.
  
• You also think: How come everyone else is able to get stuff done? What’s wrong with me?
  
• Your energy dips.
  
• Your confidence fades as you realize you can't do all these to-dos.
• Family, friends and co-workers are frustrated because you aren’t delivering on what you said would do.
  
• You are disappointing people.
  
• You add a few items that are easy to do: make lunch, open the mail, take out the garbage, put the baby to bed, feed the dog. These you can cross off.
• You have stress and tension in your chest, shoulders and neck. You sigh a lot. Breathing is more restricted from tension.
• You are falling behind.
• Your chronic inability to get things done and prioritize is making you feel depressed. And, overwhelmed. And, guilty.  

Does this happen to you?
How about trying these techniques to overcome your overwhelmed state?
 
Sit quietly and quiet your mind
The quieting of the mind allows you to let go of worry and self-doubt long enough to feel an upsurge in energy. A calmer mind makes it easier to take on the demands of the day.

• Sit in a chair, feet planted on floor (or in lotus position) and hold your back straight, but not uncomfortably so.

• Set your smartphone or any timer for five minutes or longer.
• Let your hands cup naturally in your lap.
• Don’t do anything.

• Watch how your mind/brain fires off random thoughts. “I really don’t have time for this”, “I wonder what I should have for lunch”, “Why did he say that to me”? “My nose is itchy”….
• Observe your thoughts. No need to talk, interact, discuss or engage in any way with them…..leave them alone.
• If you find yourself getting involved in your thoughts, then anchor yourself by focusing on your breath.
• Watch your breath go in and out.
• When you think it’s safe, go back to observing your thoughts.
• Each time you feel yourself pulled into them, go back to your breath. 

Prioritize on the basis of which ‘hurts’ the most
Choose the three to-dos that cause you the most grief, discomfort and irritation. Devote a set amount of time daily to tackle them (e.g., 3x20 minutes = 60 min). The reasoning goes like this: by working through the most uncomfortable choices on your to-do-list, you get the biggest rush of freedom and release when they're worked on.  By doing this you train yourself to be like a compass pointing to the places/tasks where all of your energy is stored up in guilt, paralysis and overwhelm.  If you choose by discomfort index you're energized instead of stuck or burdened.  

Prioritize on the basis of which ‘hurts’ the least
Choose the three to-dos that require the least amount of effort and devote a set amount of time daily to tackle them (e.g., 3x20 minutes = 60 min). The reasoning goes like this: by working through the easiest to-dos, you get an unusual sense of accomplishment, which encourages you to do more.

Create different lists for different to-dos
Have a different list for the major areas of your life; home, work, shopping, family and personal bucket list. This way you can see clearly what has to be done and in which category. A focused list can be prioritized. 

Just do it
Look at your list each day and do something so that you can cross it off and be done with it. Your list stays lean. Then, the problem doesn’t arise and you feel good about yourself.

Don’t make to-do lists
If all things fail, avoid making lists.Too many to-dos means you DO NOT do.

How do you get things done and avoid the to-do list meltdown?
Let me know.

Keep you posted,

Coach Minda