A fellow SF veteran confessed: “I’ve got too much going on, I’m overwhelmed.” I surprised him with this solution:
Looked at what he had going on. It was a lot:
– His own health issues
– His family (4 kids, youngest 4 months(!))
– Moving house
– Work in startup phase with stakeholders
– Food forest planting season
– Involvement in several good causes
So I asked him: “What 3 things are most important right now?”
That was easy:
1. His own health (You can’t pour from an empty cup)
2. Family
3. Moving (once finished, both 1 and 2 would improve)
“When is the moving done?”
“3 weeks.”
Me: “Great, so for the next 3 weeks, ALL you can do is concentrate on your 3 priorities.
Everything else goes on your NOT-to-do list.
It’s actually forbidden. No-go zone. Objections?”
Him: “Well, people depend on me for projects. They’ll be annoyed.”
“Is this a fact?
How about you inform them of your situation?
Do you think anyone will hold it against you if you concentrate on these 3 priorities for the next 3 weeks?”
“Eh, no, they’ll understand.”
We discussed some details and wrapped up the call.
I stood up. Thought: “Wait….I´m a bit overwhelmed myself, running 3 businesses…. let’s take my own medicine.” 💊
I closed the computer and went outside for a sunny hike in the mountains.
If a friend you love were in your situation, what advice would you give them?
Take it.
–
What do you do to avoid overwhelm?
—-
TLDR:
Save or share this simple format to avoid ´overwhelm´:
1. Make a list of things you need to do
2. Select the 3 most important ones,
Only work on these.
3. The other actions are off limits till your priorities are done.
Avoid like the plague.
4. Inform stakeholders of your decision if needed
5. Rinse and repeat
—–
PS: My friend messaged me yesterday. Even though it is challenging at times, he´s so much more at peace. Great. 👌
PS: Enjoy this?
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