86: A Step by Step Exercise to Address Overwhelm at Work

<h3>How Do You Address Overwhelm at Work?</h3> <div> <div> <div>I talk to so many nonprofit leaders who are overwhelmed and feel like they’re wearing ALL The hats. </div> <div> </div> <div>I also talk to grant writers who are overwhelmed because they’re juggling so many plates with all the different projects going on.</div> <div> </div> <div>The question that relates to both is: How do you move forward? We need to start by identifying and addressing the overwhelm.</div> <div> </div> <div>Last week we talked about naming the thing - the decision, the project, the reason, the problem. Then you know what you’re working with.</div> <div> </div> <div>Now we need to clarify your priorities. Today we’re going to walk through a practical exercise to help you with this.</div> </div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A Step by Step Exercise to Reduce Overwhelm</span></div> <ol> <li>Start with big paper, pen, and highlighters or markers. Find a distraction-free space  where you can be alone and spread out.</li> <li> Brain dump ALL your work responsibilities on the paper. Seriously, everything you can think of. </li> <li>Now step back and answer this question: If you only had two hours a day to work, what would you focus on?</li> <li>Highlight or circle the items you identified in Step 3.</li> <li>Which things came to the top? Look for patterns or surprises.</li> </ol> <div> <div>Here’s the thing. We have to account for the mental weight we carry about our work, even when we’re not working. How can you shed some of that weight?</div> <div> </div> <div><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In other words, what can you:</span></div> </div> <ol> <li>Eliminate</li> <li>Simplify</li> <li>Postpone</li> <li>Delegate</li> </ol> </div> The goal is to make the most impact on your mission - <em>without</em> burning out your people. To do that, you need to be intentional. This is part of what I work with grant writers and nonprofits on, helping them gain clarity, prioritize, and focus. <p>Listen to the full episode for examples