Recently, in the ARTrepreneur forums, a member said she was feeling overstimulated…and boy, have I been there. So, I thought I’d bring this topic to Blacksburg Belle.
If you’re feeling overstimulated, my best advice is to step away from the internet and focus. Set a specific goal, plan out the steps that you need to take to reach that goal, and then start checking them off your list.
What do you do when you’re feeling overstimulated? Leave your response in the comments section below.
This is such a common problem! Obviously it’s easy to get overwhelmed now a days with reading blogs & participating with social media. You hear so many peoples advice & opinions you can’t help but doubt yourself & wonder if you’re doing the right thing.
The thing that helps me the most in dealing with overwhelm for myself is to step back & get away from “work”. I can’t think straight when I’m surrounded by all the things I need to do, should do, have to do, etc. I have to go somewhere that’s freeing & not stimulating. Then I do the mental clarity exercise in my Time Management Series by Marie Forleo. It’s great! It helps me to get all of my thoughts out on paper where I can see them & then deal with each one head on. It’s also great for coming up with goals & figuring out what you need to focus on next.
I loved what you said about setting a deadline & going with it. I’ll analyze something forever & I don’t get anywhere. I just keep wondering if this is right or this is best. Thanks so much!
Thanks for sharing! I also like to get my thoughts down on paper. It feels like it helps to clear out all those mental cobwebs. And, setting deadlines can be key for someone who loves to research and over-analyze.
The trouble is, there are so many interesting people out there, it’s so easy to spend half your day reading blog posts and commenting here there and everywhere.
Then you realize, you haven’t actually done any of your own “To Do List”, and you feel guilty.
I try to do the same as Meagan – step back and get away from the internet, go for a walk
Sometimes, I feel I have so much to do that I don’t do any of it. I feel frustrated and waste my day surfing the web instead.
Thanks for the advice April!
I know Alison! I completely agree. I want to participate in group coaching programs, learn as much as possible, stay up-to-date with my favorite blogs and read any business book I can get my hands on. But…I know that none of that stuff will matter if I don’t also take action consistently. So, I map out time in my day to learn, research, and participate in those programs/communities–and I try to stick with it.
I agree with Alison. There are so many great things out there that I tend to lose track and then feel overwhelmed. My husband is geeky with his organization and his ideas keep me on track with managing my projects and reading.
I also take the kids to the park where I can walk and get away from all of the technology. That always feels good.
Getting away from technology–even if it’s only for a few hours–can make you feel more grounded and clear. I love going for a walk if I need to a quick break.
You are definitely speaking for me including the tearful “melt down” day – although I have had more that one of those. I look at my “how to” e-mails and sometimes I have over 50. I just groan and bury my head in the sand – there is just no way to wade through them all even though the advice is good. I do need to trust my gut more. Your 3 month list may be the answer. I get so overwhelmed that I take the “ostrich” approach and head outdoors with a book and my dog and a ball. The problem with that is that it is hard to come back in and start again. Your advice is greatly appreciated though and believe me I am listening and plan to take some action.
Many thanks.
Oh, I’ve had more than one Sonnee! I just talked about that one on this video 🙂
Instead of heading outdoors with your book and dog, make yourself a deal. Do something productive for your biz and then give yourself a treat by heading outside!
I step away from all electronic devices. I try to take a walk or a bath. Sometimes just reading or writing in my journal helps.
Agreed. Thanks for sharing!
I LOVE research and if I had to choose one thing to take with me on a deserted island, it would be the internet, so this post really resonates with me because I can easily exhaust myself and end up in a teary, I’m rubbish at everything place.
I guess slowly but surely, I am getting better at pulling myself back to things that keep me focused like my Google calendar and meditation practice and reminding myself that I’m not a machine and so can’t work every evening after my day job but that doesn’t mean I’m going to fail.
I think creative people can be really tough on themselves, especially creative women.
Thanks for bringing my focus back this week April.
Oh do I love me some research! One of my favorite things to do is read business books: I’m a nerd–big time! So, I definitely have to set limitations for myself and set deadlines. It really helps.
And, I completely agree that the creative women {and men} can be super hard on themselves.
I am realizing that making that choice of THE one thing to focus on is scary because that seems to mean if I’m doing that one thing I’m shutting other doors and missing other opportunities. What if that one thing becomes so consuming that I no longer have the time to pursue the part of handmade that I love, making my jewelry. It doesn’t really make sense because I’m sure I’d still have time for it. Maybe it’s just a crap excuse!?
I will say that the direction of my plandoes seem like a very consuming venture. I need to be sure that if I commit myself to it I am ready to sacrifice other things and embark on a long steep learning curve.
Hey Kristin,
I don’t think you should ever set aside the part that you love! That’s not a crap excuse. I’m talking about focusing on one thing is you’re feeling overstimulated. Most days, I work on multiple projects, because that’s really what I like to do. I’ll write a blog post, then I’ll send out a newsletter, then I’ll work on a new product, then I’ll sketch for 30 minutes…but when I’m feeling overstimulated, I pick one thing and get focused. When I was first starting this website, I had to do that to make sure I reached my goal without spending too much time researching. And, even when you focus on one goal, you should always have some creative time mapped out!