Feeling Overwhelmed? Take the Bull by its Horns!

Do you spend your time and energy worrying about everything you have to do instead of actually doing it? Do you spend more time dreading the task than it would take to complete it? Do you feel powerless because of all the tasks you have to do - go to the grocery store, make dinner, clean the house, mop the floor, give the kids a bath, help the kids with their homework, walk the dog, return emails, take care of your parents - oh and also work 8 to 10 hours per day?

Does your "To Do" list keep growing? Do you go to great lengths to complete a task and find that you have to add three more? Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by life?

It may serve you to take a few minutes and to decide what is really important. You may say that all of the items on your ever-growing list are important but look again and determine what has to be done right now. What can be done later? What can be outsourced? What can be eliminated from the list? Sometimes we may have unrealistic expectations of ourselves. If your friend was in your shoes, what would you recommend to her? When we are overwhelmed, a lot of times we just stop and do nothing and then we feel guilty for doing nothing and think about all of the things we need to do. That just creates more stress and more guilt.

Schedule some time to do the one thing you dread the most. For me, it was cleaning out my closet. I knew I would have to try on almost everything that is in there to see what fit now and what would fit when I lose 10 pounds. Everything needed to be removed, tried on, organized and put back in place. The thought of that made my shoulders tense up! However, it didn't take as long as I thought, it looked wonderful, and I could get dressed more quickly each day because everything was in its place. I felt a sense of accomplishment and excitement.

Completing the task you are dreading the most will give you the motivation you need to take on the next project. In addition, it will provide a spring in your step and will create more energy. By doing that one thing you dread the most, you are taking your power back. When you take your power back, amazing things happen. You take charge of your life. You call the shots. The feelings of dread and procrastination subside. You feel confident. You are confident. You are on your way to living your amazing life!