Busy, Busy, Busy!

Do you race through the day, from one activity to the next, often without taking a breath?

We live in a world where busy-ness is expected (and sometimes revered). We are surrounded by distractions and demands.

When you are not sure what to do next and are feeling overwhelmed, I invite you to…

PAUSE

Yes, pause. Take a break. Stop what you are doing!

I know you feel like you don’t have time to pause. However, I assure you that the brief interruption will actually increase your productivity. You may only need five minutes to refocus on the most important tasks.

P is for Press Pause

Feeling overwhelmed? Stop, breathe, clear your mind. Take a few deep breaths and walk away from your work space (or whatever is causing your overwhelm).

You may even want to symbolically create a “pause button”. It could be a sticker on your desk or even the crown of your head!

A is for Awareness 

Become aware of your body and your surroundings. Do a body scan. What hurts? Are there sensations in your stomach, chest or shoulders? Do you feel hot or cold? Look around you. What do you see? What do you hear?

Try identifying five different sounds in the room or locating five objects that are the color blue.

U is for Urgent

Now that you have cleared your head, what is the most important thing that you need to accomplish in this moment? A project for work? A phone call? The laundry? Eating lunch?

What needs to happen first? In other words, what is the very first step? Visualize it in your mind. Finding a website? Typing one paragraph? Creating a list? Sorting the clothes?

Trust your gut. When we feel overwhelmed by too much to do or by a project that has too many steps, it is hard to think clearly.  After pressing pause and taking a moment to observe our surroundings, the essential tasks and first steps become clear.

S is for Support

What will help you to accomplish your urgent task? Support may take the form of self care. Perhaps you need two more minutes of calm. Or, eating a snack or getting some exercise might give you the boost you need to keep working.

A friend, family member or colleague might be the support you need as well. Reach out to talk through a situation, ask for advice or delegate a task.

E is for Express Gratitude

Be aware of the abundance that surrounds you. Be thankful for all that you have accomplished up to this point and for the people in your life who help you get through the day. Be grateful for this moment of clarity as it propels you to accomplish more than you thought possible.

Now, with a clear head and newfound clarity… get back on task!