By Nadine Araksi, Toronto-based Story Coach
Feeling behind before the day even begins
Do you ever wake up feeling like there’s not enough time in the day to accomplish everything you need to do? It can be overwhelming to face a long list of to-dos, especially when you’re already feeling behind before the day even begins.
But before you blame time for your problems, it’s worth taking a step back to examine what’s really going on.
Is it “not enough time” or the desire to “Do ALL THE THINGS!”
At times, we can be overly optimistic about how much we can accomplish in a given day or week. This can lead to overcommitment and overwhelm as we try to juggle too many tasks and responsibilities. The desire to “do ALL THE THINGS!” can make it difficult to prioritize effectively and be fully present for the people and tasks that truly matter.
When we give in to the temptation to say yes to everything, we risk missing out on valuable opportunities and eroding our health. It can also lead to disappointment and self-criticism when we inevitably fall short of our own expectations.
The desire to DO ALL THE THINGS can make us overly optimistic about how much time tasks and events will actually take. This can impact our ability to prioritize effectively or to be fully present for truly valuable people and tasks, which generally leads to feeling crappy. Add a side of overwhelm and mind drama as the list grows, and chances are you’re headed to Procrastinationtown, population:1 (Neighbouring towns include Perfectionistaville and People Pleaser Corners.)
All the things add up, and eventually, you’re saying no to the things that will move you closer to what you actually want for yourself. That’s not always terrible, as some things we say yes to are fun, but on repeat, this habit can create other unwanted effects, like missing out on valuable opportunities, eroding your health, letting people down, and becoming an asshole to yourself. The biggest impact is that it takes longer to get to where you ultimately want to go in life to the point that you start to think, “Maybe it’s just never going to happen for me.”
How to avoid overwhelm: Accepting our limitations
To avoid falling into the trap of trying to “Do ALL THE THINGS!” it’s important to accept our limitations and be realistic about what we can accomplish in a given day or week. This means learning to prioritize effectively and saying no to tasks and responsibilities that don’t align with our goals or values.
It’s tempting to think that we can completely transform our lives in a short amount of time, but the truth is that change takes time and effort. By focusing on small, incremental steps and building new habits, we can make progress toward our goals without burning out or becoming overwhelmed.
How to go from “not enough time” to taking control of your time
To take control of our time, we need to get out of auto-pilot and start making intentional decisions about how we spend our time. This may involve taking a few minutes each day to reflect on our priorities and identify the most important tasks for the day ahead.
It may also involve setting boundaries with others and learning to say no to requests that don’t align with our goals or values. By prioritizing our own needs and goals, we can create more space for the things that truly matter.
Alignment Coaching: The fastest way to find more time
At Kickstartology Coaching, we believe in the power of aligning our actions with our values and goals. Our Alignment Coaching program is designed to help clients identify their priorities and build new habits that support their long-term success.
If you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed and stressed out by your to-do list, book an exploration call with Stephanie today to see if our program is right for you. Imagine approaching each day with ease and confidence, knowing that you’re making progress toward your goals and prioritizing the things that truly matter. Start here!
P.S. Find out how to work with me if you're ready to break the patterns keeping you stuck and get out of your own way: Let's talk.
Book a free coaching exploration call and I will tell you everything you need to know and what results you can expect with my group coaching program for women or 1-on-1 coaching.
Free: Get unstuck with our mini starter course:
KICKSTART: THE FIRST STEP
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