Are you overwhelmed? Or are you stressed?
Did you know there's a difference?
A little stress can be healthy for us. It can be a good motivator. But overwhelm "makes us incapable of taking action", as Brene Brown says. "We're so consumed by the pressures on us that we can't do anything about it. Overwhelm means an extreme level of stress and emotional or cognitive intensity to the point of feeling unable to function."
How have you been feeling lately?
Have you felt energized and productive?
A bit stressed but getting on with it?
Or do you feel like you're almost incapable of working?
Feeling perpetually tired and unmotivated.
Consistently procrastinating beyond normal reason.
One look at your todo list and you find yourself going into Avoidance Mode and just watching the telly.
Can you relate?
If you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed then I wrote today's brand new podcast episode with you in mind. It follows on from last week's episode about 1 simple way to feel less overwhelmed in your business.
In this week's ep, you'll learn...
The difference between overwhelm and stress.
6 ways to turn down your stress or overwhelm.
What The 90 Second Emotion is and how it help set you free from being chained to feelings of stress or overwhelm.
The importance of movement, permission, and seasonal thinking when trying to recover from (or prevent) overwhelm.
Click “play” on the podcast player below to tune in!
Transcript
"When we're stressed we feel a lot of outside, or even internal, pressure. But we can handle it. We know what actions to take to fix it. We can logistically and emotionally take on these actions even if we're concerned about how much time and effort they'll take. Overwhelm on the other hand means we're incapable of taking action. We're so consumed by the pressures on us that we can't do anything about it. Overwhelm means an extreme level of stress and emotional or cognitive intensity to the point of feeling unable to function." - Brene Brown
When I heard that quote, I knew I wanted to bring it to the podcast. Because there's a lot in there that can be helpful to us as business owners.
First, that stress is hard but it's something we can handle.
In fact, stress can sometimes be good for us. I'd go as far as saying it can sometimes act as a motivator for us to get things done. Ever had bills looming over you that kicked your butt into action and pushed you to do the work to find new clients or launch something new? Yet, when no pressure is on, you find it harder to motivate yourself to look for clients or market yourself? Sometimes a little stress can daresay be a good driver for us. And can even show us how capable and resilient we are.
Yet overwhelm, as Brene said, means we're ‘incapable of taking action.’ It's an ‘extreme level of stress. An emotional and cognitive intensity that makes us unable to function.’ And I don't need to explain to you how damaging that can for your income.
So today, I want to give you a few things you can do when you're stressed or overwhelmed, to help you shift into a state where you can work again with more ease and peace of mind.
(Although I’d like to add: if you’re overwhelmed to the point of feeling unable to work, you likely need more help than these tips. I’d recommend working with a therapist if you feel it’s a mental health struggle, or working with a business coach if you feel that’s what you need. If you’d like to work with me, you can sign up to my coaching waitlist here. I’m opening up 1:1 and group coaching very soon!)
How to prevent or lessen your stress/overwhelm
Take a break.
Listen to ep 72 on the importance of taking a break even when you feel like you're too busy to do so.
Over the years I've learned that it's those times when I MUST take the break. Because carrying on leads to poor work and burnout. But a break reenergizes us and gives us new ideas and motivation so that when we get back to the desk, we produce incredible work and do it while feeling good, not feeling crappy There have been times over the 10 years of my business when I've felt so overwhelmed I’ve cried, but then had a break and a walk and literally wrote 10 podcast eps that same afternoon. Overwhelm is a feeling and it can be released. Feelings don't stick around forever. And by taking a break, you're helping the feeling move on faster.
Feel the feeling - don't just push it down. When we do, those feelings come out sideways. Through sickness, or burnout, or just chronically feeling unhappy in our business. The sooner you allow yourself to feel it, the sooner it releases.
How do you feel it?
I like to sit still and just get in touch with the feeling in my body. Where do I feel it's residing in my body? Then name the emotion. I tell myself it's okay to feel this way, it's human.
Psychologist Alyson Stone says “Feelings are like ocean waves,” says , “they rise, crest and recede, all day long.” And brain scientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor says, "emotions last just 90 seconds. After that, we're simply re-stimulating our internal circuitry."
Know what that means? It means that after 90 seconds, if we still feel a feeling... it's partly because we're choosing to. And there's so much power in understanding that. Because that means if we just really let ourselves feel a certain emotion that's coming up, it'll pass so much sooner than if we avoid or ignore it. And that includes feelings of overwhelm and stress.
Move your body. Go for a walk, or dance, do jumping jacks. Movement can shift our mood, which brightens our mindset and allows us to work from a more positive place. Or at least puts us in the place to have the mental capacity to tackle our issue of why we're so stressed and overwhelmed and how we can overcome it.
Break your project down into tiny little pieces. Focus on small piece by piece instead of the big picture. After a while, you’ll notice the pieces add up to something huge.
Give yourself permission to stop doing things or change things to better suit your wellbeing. For example, if you don't have the mental capacity to make reels showing your face then make reels where it's just text overlayed on a video of the ocean or of your morning walk. If you don't have the mental capacity to design full websites right now, create a mini offer where you sell sales pages done in a day. Give yourself permission to stop things or make things easier for yourself. Even if it’s just temporary.
Adjust your business according to the season you're in. Certain seasons of life are more hectic than others, that's how it is for even the calmest of people.
If you've had a baby, that's going to be a crazy season. If you're moving house, or planning a wedding, or you're struggling with a health issue, those are all difficult seasons that take a toll on your time. So in your business, it's okay to shift things around that season to make life easier for yourself.
I've given myself permission in this season to focus on selling coaching more than courses because although it sounds counterintuitive, it's easier to sell because you can sell less of them at a higher price. It means I don't have to create as much content. And it means I get to talk about topics here on the podcast other than just the topics of my courses.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed by your businesses and processes or lack thereof then I invite you to check out my free class, 10 Steps To Go From Overwhelmed To Organized.
Ways I Can Help You
I help freedom seekers make a full-time income online without working full-time hours through coaching. Sign up to hear more about it soon.
I also have two courses designed to help you organize your business + book clients consistently. Learn more.
About Nesha
Hey there! I’m Nesha, 10-year traveling entrepreneur and host of The Simple Business Show. I teach freedom seekers how to make a full-time income online without working full-time hours, so they have the time, location and financial freedom to live the lifestyle they dream of.
Looking for more ways I can help you? Here they are:
Organize & Automate - Join 1200+ students and learn how to organize your entire online service-based business in just two weeks (on the side of your regular routine!) so you can stop stressing and fall back in love with your business.
Simple Sales School - Learn how to get a consistent flow of clients so you can build the income & financial freedom you desire.
Coaching - Sign up to my waitlist to be the first to hear when coaching spots are available.
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*Photo by Tran Mau Tri Tam ✪ on Unsplash
