Solutions“I have no idea where to begin” the client blurted.  “Should I write my blog entry, finish the proposal for a new contract, post a little in Facebook, return emails, make follow up calls or start writing for my next sales campaign? Help, Jane!”  I could hear the panic in her voice.

What made this call really interesting is that not only did it come on the heels of a similar coaching email with another client – it had not been more than 4 hours since I too was feeling the same sense of overwhelm with all I have on my plate.  Wow. Don’t you love it when your LIFE shows up in your WORK?

Truth #1: Nobody is immune to the Entrepreneurial Overwhelm – not even the “coach.” So remember, you are not alone or losing your mind.

Truth #2: Like me, you simply need a strategy – a way to move out of overwhelm by making some decisions about where to invest your time for the greatest return.

So what’s an entrepreneur to do? Try my personal strategy and see how it works for you.

Step 1: Breathe!  While you do that, be kind to yourself.  You may need to shift the inner dialogue to something affirming and soothing. Here’s what I said to myself.  “It’s OK Jane, you are feeling this way because you are up to big, exciting things and you’ve got some really important goals you are going for. Feel proud of the fact that you are up to big, beautiful things.”

Step 2: Take stock of what’s really on your plate by referring to your list of things to do. Get it out of your head and onto paper so it becomes specific and tangible. I use Microsoft Word so I can move things around, color code, and use the “strike-through” feature after I’ve done it.

Step 3: Assess what’s on your plate.

First, which items if any are non-negotiable and must get done today? Do you need to fulfill a commitment you’ve made, honor a deadline or keep your word? If yes, this goes at the top of the list.

Second, what can you get done in 10 minutes or less. For me, the momentum created by getting something simple off my list gets the juices flowing and fuels me to take on the next. (Make it fun and use this online stopwatch http://www.online-stopwatch.com, or pull out an old fashioned egg timer)

Third, prioritize by asking, “What two tasks could have the greatest immediate payback and what two tasks could have the greatest long term payback?” Put a “$” next to these four tasks.

Step 4: Focus on the tasks at hand. Don’t look right or left. Don’t answer emails. Don’t take any calls. Give yourself a specific amount of time that you will dig in and get it done.

There you have it. My personal strategy for taming that sense of Entrepreneurial Overwhelm that gets the best of all of us at one point or another when we are up to big things.

Are you up for giving this a shot? Would you like one more tip that can make or break this strategy?

Get the support of a coach! This is the secret ingredient of any successful individual because the truth is – we can’t do it alone!  It would be my honor and privilege to be there for you… to offer encouragement, feedback, insights and guidance so that you too can keep entrepreneurial overwhelm at bay as you happily and profitably make your way toward your dreams.