Summary: Follow these steps the next you feel like things are getting out of control.
We often get overwhelmed because we feel like we are passengers in all the craziness that’s happening rather than being in control of our time and actions. One of the best things to do when you’re feeling this way is take a quick ten minutes to sit down and assess everything you have going on and separate these things into what you can and can’t control.
Step 1: Simply write down all the things that are contributing to your overwhelming feelings (anything from your work project to the doctor’s appointment you have yet to make to feeling guilty about something).
Step 2: We all have a large amount of influence around the things happening in our lives, but there is also a great deal that we can’t control. Next, assess each of the things contributing to what is overwhelming you and split them into three columns: 1) things you have complete control over (you don’t need anyone’s help); 2) things you have influence over; and 3) things that are completely outside of your influence.
Step 3: The final step is to look at each column and come up with action items for each one. For the things that you have complete control over, take action and get them out of the way! For the things you can influence, write down the steps you will take to move the item towards resolution. Lastly, for the things you have no control over – LET THEM GO! It’s a waste of your energy to worry about things you can’t influence.
Taking a few minutes out of your day to do this exercise can bring you peace of mind, as well as get a lot of things off your plate that you’ve spent too much time and energy ruminating over. You’ll be amazed at the peace and clarity you’ll feel by realizing what you can and can’t control in your life.
