Feeling Overwhelmed? The Race to the Finish Line.

Are you racing to the finish line? Feeling overwhelmed?

Why is it that the busiest time of the year is also the time of the year that we are most likely to feel overwhelmed?

As I reflect on the year so far, I realise I have, along with my team, embarked on a  great journey, and  like a lot of people, we are looking forward to a well earned break.

But the race to the holiday finish line knowing you’ll be taking time off from work may cause you to experience overwhelm as you feel the pressure to complete a number of tasks before signing off.

No one is immune to feeling overwhelmed, tired and ‘worn out’. We are all faced with deadlines and pressure situations; it’s part of life. But when it becomes all too much, we need to listen to the warning signs and act. As employers, we need to know these signs and lead by example.

When I had drawn on all my resources in an overly committed year, I was fortunate enough to take a week off for a quick escape. It was well overdue, but it gave me clarity of thinking of what the company needed and what I needed to act on, on my return. I am now so conscious of my team and how they react to deadlines and those times we have proposals or projects that put us under the pump. That’s where flexible working arrangements come into play. If someone needs to work from home they do, or if they feel they really need a day for some R & R, it’s usually granted.

Here’s a few tips to get you through so you’ll be able to switch off come December 25. 

Find your ‘meditation’

When you’re feeling stressed about how much work you have to get done, it’s all too easy to get carried away with work and forget to take some time out to reset your thinking.

Running is my meditation.  For you it might be yoga or walking on the beach or simply finding a few minutes each day to close your eyes.

Read, Read, Read

Did you know that immersion reading also improves focus and has a calming effect like meditation?

Reading before bedtime (not socials) can also help you sleep better, especially curling up with a good novel.

Knowledge is power. Just looking through articles ‘book marked’ on my PC the other day, you know the ones ‘you are going to read later’, I found a great Forbes article from 2018 titled ’10 Daily Habits That Can Actually Change Your Life’ by Noma Nazish.

It talks about not letting old habits hold you back. Start building simple yet essential habits for a happier and more productive life such as:

• Create a morning ritual. Could be exercise, a healthy breakfast, writing in a journal. A structured start to your day eliminates stress, mental fatigue and enhances productivity. Even if it means getting up well before the kids!
• Follow the 80 / 20 rule. It’s always worth remembering that 20% of the tasks yield 80% of the results!
• Learn to single- task. Did you know only 2% of people in the world can multi-task successfully?
• Surround yourself with positive people. American Author and entrepreneur Jim Rohn, says, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Choose wisely!
• Master the art of listening. Pay attention to what others have to say. It’ll not only make others feel valued but will also help you understand them better and gain a fresh perspective.
• Go for a social media detox. Switch off your phone and laptop for a few hours every day to improve your mood and reconnect with the world around you.

You can read the full article ’10 Daily Habits That Can Actually Change your Life’ here.

Be kind to yourself

As we wind down to Christmas, be sure to be kind to yourself and take the pressure off.

Prioritise your work – what really needs to be done before the break?

Don’t stress yourself out by trying to get millions of tasks done before you take a break. Guess what?  They’ll probably still be there when you return.