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Decision Making Process - 5 Steps to Conquering Overwhelm

Decision Making Process - 5 Steps to Conquering Overwhelm - Luxafor

The speed at which we live our lives today has increased dramatically due to technological advances and many of us yearn for a simpler life where we can just slow down and breathe. 

If your life seems unraveling, you need to realize that feeling overwhelmed is a part of life and it is possible to overcome it. You can boost your productivity by taking some decisive action to restore your sense of control.

How it feels to be overwhelmed

When you feel as though you are overloaded, swamped, and inundated and that you simply have too much going on and not enough hours in the day, you are feeling overwhelmed. All your energy is focused on trying to cope and you never seem to make any progress. 

Most people experience times in their lives when they feel overwhelmed for one reason or another. You may be feeling overwhelmed because you have recently had a baby, gone through a divorce, or moved house. 

You may be feeling overwhelmed for a reason as having a deadline looming and fearing you are unable to meet it. When you’re working from home, it may feel like everyone expects something from you and you’re torn in so many directions that you can’t accomplish anything. 

1. Regain your perspective

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Source: Unsplash

You lose your sense of perspective when you feel overwhelmed. You overreact and allow small issues to trip you up because you can’t see the big picture anymore and you lose connection with your purpose. 

When you have many tasks competing for your attention, it can be hard to know where to start. It is vital for you to regain your perspective and this means taking an inventory. 

  • Make a list of your responsibilities:
Your first step is to write down everything you need to do that you see as critical to your well-being and that of your family.
  • Make a “to-don’t list:
Now draw a line and then write down a “to-don’t” list. These are the tasks you feel pressured to do but are really not essential. If you’re feeling determined to make a change, put a big cross through what you’ve written under the line, tear your list off and discard it. If you don’t feel quite so brave, cross items off as withdraw from doing them. 
  • Be clear about your priorities:
Now rank what’s left in order of importance so you have a clear idea of your priorities. 

2. Declutter your workspace

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Source: Unsplash

Now that you know what you need to do, it will help to remove every kind of distraction that prevents you from getting things done. Excessive clutter is linked to more stress and anxiety. It distracts you from your work, and when you can’t find what you need, it causes frustration and costs you time. 

  • Start with the necessities:
The first step is to identify items you use routinely. Keep them within easy reach. Everything else needs to go in a drawer or somewhere out of sight. 
  • Get rid of paper and delete emails:
Don’t only get rid of copies of documents piling up on your desk that you no longer need but delete digital files taking up space on your PC or in your email inbox. This means less to sift through and more time to focus on your priorities. 
  • Don’t eat at your desk:
Take a lunch break and go anywhere to eat your lunch other than at your desk. Cups, plates and containers and food do not belong on your desk. 
  • Organize zones:
You often need to shift directions based on different tasks you do during the day, from writing and researching to having meetings or answering emails. It will help if you make sure you have a space or zone for each of these activities.
  • Keep your desk clean:
Clean your keyboard and wipe down your computer monitor with a screen cleaner and cloth. Use disinfectant wipes to remove spills and dust. Empty your waste bin and clean your computer chair. 

When your workspace is clean and organized, your state of mind will be more positive. You will feel more in control, productive, and creative. 

3. Develop your time management skills

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Source: Luxafor

When you’re clear about your priorities, you know which tasks will add the most value. Good time management enables you to work smarter, not harder when doing your tasks. 

Writers that provide assignment help to students at research paper writing services or at paper writing services regularly practice this owing to the nature of their work. Creative people who typically work on time-based tasks, such as authors, programmers, and graphic designers, understand the necessity of time management when working as freelancers and use it to their advantage.

  • Find out what you spend time on throughout the day:
There are many time management apps available to help you do this. With this data, you can identify ways to save time. For example, you may find that you’re involved in too many unproductive meetings that you can try to reduce. 
  • Plan your week:
Plan on a Sunday and break your weekly goals into daily tasks. If you head into the first day of the week, knowing exactly what you need to accomplish, it will take you less time to get into your stride. 
  • Create a daily to-do list:
Use the first half-hour of your day to make a daily to-do list that coordinates with your weekly plan. Schedule creative and complicated tasks for times when you’re normally full of energy and enthusiasm, and lower priority tasks, such as administrative work, for times when you might feel tired, such as after lunch.
  • Don’t multitask or expect perfection:
Researchers have proved that multitasking isn’t effective if you want to maintain quality. Indulging your desire for perfection can also trip you up. Address your most important tasks and do them well but don’t sweat the small stuff. 

Workers at Bestessay.com, which is academic writing and personal statement writing service, know this and keep this factor in mind while tackling crucial assignments from students. They handle a variety of tasks at the same time and their only option to do it perfectly is by taking one assignment at a time while keeping the expectations normalized.

4. Schedule breaks

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Source: Unsplash

If you want to maintain high productivity, experts agree that you need to take breaks throughout the day. Your greatest resource is YOU and pushing on without pausing doesn’t make you more productive. If you don’t get enough relaxation, sleep, and exercise, your productivity decreases. 

People who are highly productive recognize that they need to take breaks from their work to lower their stress levels. When you take small breaks throughout your day, you are able to recharge mentally, physically, and emotionally. 

  • Discipline and intentionality:
A restorative break doesn’t consist of a few minutes of scrolling through Facebook or Instagram. You need to have discipline and be intentional about your breaks. 

It may help you to set the alarm to remind you to take breaks. For the best results, you should include some physical activity, like walking or jogging, and some mental activity, like meditation and deep breathing. 

  • Stretch. Take a break from sitting at your desk to do some stretching. Roll your neck around, and stretch your arms and legs. 
  • Take a walk. Even a 15-minute walk will allow you to breathe in the fresh air and get your blood circulating. 
  • Mindful breathing. Sit somewhere comfortable and try the 4-7-8 mindful breathing technique. Breathe in for four seconds through your nose, hold your breath for seven seconds, and then slowly release it for eight seconds through your mouth. If you’re feeling stressed, doing this a few times can help you to center yourself and feel calmer. 

5. Learn to delegate

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Source: Unsplash

If you’re one of those people who want to do everything yourself because no one else can do it as well as you, you need to reconsider. Think about what others can do for you and allow them to do it. Be firm with yourself and try not to impose your ways of doing it on them. 

  • Start by delegating one task:
If you feel stressed that a task is not being done the way you would do it, step away and take a break. It matters more that a task gets done effectively than the method used to do it. 
  • Continue to delegate:
When you realize you can trust someone to accomplish a task, even if it’s not done your way, you can gradually start giving more tasks to others. 

Conclusions

When you’re overwhelmed, you tend to procrastinate and jump from task to task without finishing anything. If you want to have the time to do the things that matter most to you, you need to take some decisive action. 

If you establish your priorities, declutter your workspace, manage your time, schedule breaks and learn to delegate, you will enhance your productivity. You’ll have more time to spend with your loved ones, accomplish your goals, focus on your health, and have time for some fun too. 

Do you want to build and maintain new habits? Get your free PDF version of the Don't Break The Chain calendar and start today!

download pdf now

Do you want to build and maintain new habits? Get your free PDF version of the Don't Break The Chain calendar and start today!

download pdf now

BIO

Serena Dorf

Serena Dorf works as an essay writer for a London-based academic writing agency, Write my essay. She started her career with a popular dissertation service after completing a doctorate in business management. She is currently pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship and also attending high-level writing courses with an aim to be the best author and writer in the industry. 

Decision Making Process – 5 Steps to Conquering Overwhelm
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