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Are You A Smart Cookie When It Comes to Overwhelm?

Guest post by: Danielle Miller

Article Overview: This article gives tips and strategies for understanding and getting control of overwhelm. Overwhelm is one of the biggest challenges for today's successful woman.

Are You A Smart Cookie When It Comes to Overwhelm?

Are you one of the millions of women who feel like you can never get on top of things? Overwhelm seems to be a daily part of our lives in this day and age. We are constantly bombarded in what I call "The Age of Instant"; a virtual sensory assault 24/7 (since many of us are also sleep deprived!).

Many of the women I coach are overloaded with commitments and activities, as well as demands on their time and energy. It seems that there is always too much to do and never enough time to get it all done...and have time to take care of YOU!

Whenever your stress levels are high it doesn't take much to tip you over the edge into the dreaded "Overwhelm".

So what exactly is "overwhelm"? Overwhelm is what we feel when there is too much on our plate, we have no idea what or where to start on first, and we fear that we will never, ever be able to get it all done...it's overload on steroids!

Overwhelm comes from scattered thoughts, mental clutter and not having clarity about what you are doing.

Many times women are reluctant to acknowledge to ourselves or admit to others that we are feeling overwhelmed because we have been taught that overwhelm is a sign of weakness or not being able to ‘hold it together'.

There are many strategies that work with getting your overwhelm under control. Here are 4 effective tips for when you feel overwhelm setting in.

1. Language is a key factor. Instead of saying "I am overwhelmed", change your language to "I feel overwhelmed". It's important to remember that overwhelm is a feeling, not a state of being.

2. Learn what triggers overwhelm for you. Everyone has different symptoms of overwhelm. Self awareness is crucial. Too little sleep, physical health, over committing, trying to please everyone, and perfectionism are all common factors in overwhelm.

3. Give yourself a cushion. If possible, give yourself 24 hours before taking you say yes to yet another obligation or request.

4. Admit that you are feeling overwhelmed. Honesty with yourself is the first step in being proactive. Remember that's it about living from the inside out; being proactive and not reactive.

For many women, it's about figuring out what you need to say "no" to in order to say "yes" to the things that you want in life.

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Article Tags: challenges, overwhelm, self awareness, smart cookie, success, women



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