Feeling Overwhelmed? Try This Effective 9-Step Action Plan

Two heads and four hands can accomplish more than just a single person. Ask for help and see what happens.

You probably can’t find anyone over the age of 10 that hasn’t felt overwhelmed at some point. It takes more to overwhelm some people than others, but the feeling and the impact are the same.

It can be very challenging to focus on solutions and take the necessary steps to resolve the situation. However, focus and action can ultimately solve most negative situations in your life.

Many of us are prone to worrying and then doing silly things to make ourselves feel better. This doesn’t solve the issue. It just avoids it temporarily.

I encourage you to take these 9 steps to create a plan and go from feeling overwhelmed to feeling more at peace again:

1. Identify what is under your control. There’s little point to worrying about those things outside your locus of control. Determine what you can control and place your attention there.

2. Focus on solutions. Now that you know what you can and can’t change, keep your attention on finding a solution. Obsessing over the problem won’t accomplish anything other than driving up your stress levels. Time and attention spent on solutions is the best way out of your mess.

3. Create a strategy. Make a plan for putting your solution into action. Figure out what you need to do and put as much time and effort into your plan as you can. The more you do, the better your odds of overcoming your challenges.

4. Get your rest. Being overwhelmed is stressful. It’s important to get your rest and relax as much as possible. That doesn’t mean lying on the couch all day! Get a good night of rest and accomplish as much as you can during the day.