Ready to banish overwhelm?

As a director,? it’s so easy to feel the pressure of ‘performing’, making decisions, and managing teams. The constant demands of the role, coupled with the fast-paced nature of the business world, can leave even the most seasoned leader feeling stressed and anxious….

I know only too well that feeling from the various crises I’ve been involved in during my career as a midwife, 25 years as a Nursing Officer, navigating office politics and now building a business.?

Never mind leading teams in war zones and even providing health cover to 30 sixth formers in a school trip to the Himalayas where we found ourselves in an avalanche and then a coup!!??

I know from experience how horrid that sense of overwhelm feels.??

Never mind integrating professional and personal life….??

(I never talk about work- life ‘balance’ as that always indicates that we are out of balance!)

I am sure I don’t need to tell you that it’s essential as a leader to find ways to manage these feelings and maintain a sense of calm, both for your own well-being and for the success of your team.

So what is overwhelm?

??Overwhelm is a state of being that occurs when an individual feels unable to cope with the demands placed upon them.?

We feel we need to do everything at once!

It can manifest as a feeling of being buried under a mountain of tasks, responsibilities, and expectations, leading to stress, anxiety, and a sense of helplessness.

Have you ever noticed?……?

That you have a minimum of 10 tabs open on your laptop…..

A never ending to do list, and ……

You find yourself eating at your desk with so much to do??

Oh my I used to be like this……

Until I embraced resilience to combat it!

?What is resilience?

??Resilience is the ability to bounce forward from adversity and maintain a sense of well-being in the face of challenges.?

We are then better equipped to handle stress and uncertainty, and so can inspire our teams to do the same.

Great news! We are more resilient than we think!

So here are my 10 simple tips that you can put in place right now!

1?? Embrace it!?

You? are pushing ourselves out of that…‘Familiar Zone’ through the ‘Fear Zone’ and ‘Learning Zone’ to the magic of the ‘Growth Zone’. I never call it ‘Familiar Zone’? the ‘Comfort Zone' as it’s never comfortable!

2?? Practise SOBER:

??S Stop right there!

??O Observe - what’s going on here!

??B Breathe - focus on breathing out longer than in to reduce the cortisol and calm the ‘Fear, fight and flight’.?

Practice 3-4-5 breathing (in 3 secs, hold 4 secs, out 5 secs)

??E Evaluate - what’s making you feel overwhelmed?

??R Respond - what’s the one thing you need to do next to feel calmer? This could be taking 5 mins out in fresh air, sit quietly and focus on your breathing for another 2 minutes

3?? Prioritise your 1st task:?

Check again what is the one thing you need to do next.?

Identify the most important task and focus on completing that first. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by trying to do everything at once.

Look at the rest on your list:

Do it? Ditch it! or Delegate it!!

Or even better…

Automate it!? ? Delegate: Don't be afraid to delegate tasks to others. This will free up your time and energy to focus on more important tasks.

4?? Set boundaries:?

Set clear boundaries around your time and energy. This may involve saying NO to certain requests or setting aside time for yourself…

Learn to say no: Don't be afraid to say no to requests that are not aligned with your priorities or values

After all, if you say YES to this, what are you saying NO to that is more important?!?

5?? Take breaks:

YES make sure you do this - just a few minutes makes a difference and you will be far more productive afterwards……?

Trust me I know from experience what a difference it makes…

You are not an AI robot!!

Make sure to take regular breaks throughout the day to recharge and refocus. This will help you avoid burnout and stay productive.

6?? Practice creating calmness:?

Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, can help you stay focused and calm in the face of stress.

Even if a few minutes by watching the clock or notice something on your mug or wall that you haven't noticed before

7?? Get organised:?

Use tools like calendars, to-do lists, and project management software to stay organised and keep track of your tasks.

8?? Communicate effectively:?

Make sure to communicate clearly and effectively with your team. This will help you avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.

9?? Seek support:?

Don't be afraid to ask for help when needed. This may involve seeking support from a coach, mentor, or therapist.

?? Focus on what you can control:?

Focus on what you can control and let go of what you cannot. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed by things that are outside of your control.

By implementing these tips, you can overcome overwhelm and become a more effective leader. Remember to prioritise self-care and seek support when needed.By implementing these strategies, you can move from overwhelm to calm and become more effective in your role….

And….

Have a much better time doing so!

What’s your strategy to banish overwhelm?

Love to hear!

Want to know more??

Join me for my weekly Leaders Unleashed session.?

A different subject each week related to resilient, confident leadership with a great discussion and guess what? It’s my favourite number of FREE!!!

Now:?

? Every Wednesday 1230-1315 UK time

TOMORROW:? “How to to banish overwhelm and self criticism’’

Click here to register for the Zoom link directly into your inbox:?

Have a great Tuesday!

Lizzy x

#resilience #confidence #leadership #calm??