Overwhelmed? Try these.

If you’re feeling like there’s too much on your plate, not enough time to do it, and not enough downtime to make up for all the effort required, you are not alone.

Two A student clients, who always have their coaching homework ready on time and come to every session prepared and excited, both canceled on me today.

Both apologized profusely in their emails saying they needed to get ahead of more of their commitments and didn’t have enough headspace to concentrate on our work together—the important steps to creating more meaningful, expansive lives for themselves.

“It’s not like me to do this,” they each admitted.

If you’re not feeling like yourself either, these will help:

1. Overhaul your to-do list. This oldie but goodie post is worth a re-read if you’re buried by a mile long list without making much headway. It’s also worthwhile if you like to hack your processes once in a while.

2. Revel in what’s working. Another oldie but goodie for you. If you don’t have a Smile File or haven’t contributed to it lately, this is the perfect time to get acquainted. A pick-me-up that’s better than caffeine and the buzz lasts longer.

3. Schedule a date with yourself in two weeks. Hopefully the first two tips will clarify what you really have to accomplish right now and what to-do’s / worries / decisions can be put off. For those, choose a time at least two weeks away where you agree to come back to these if you need to and in the meantime take them out of your mind and off your plate. Which leads me to…

4. Cancel. For my dearest clients, that can even mean postponing your next coaching session. You are the one to give yourself permission to take time, so do it. Reschedule or cancel engagements and block your time for napping, reading or staring out the window. Your to-dos and your mental health will both be better for it, and those of us canceled on will still love you. Promise.

If you start to feel guilty, consider instead that you’re trying something new. Experimenting. Seeing how different schedules, changing commitments, affect your output and energy levels.

In other words, change is useful and that’s all you’re doing. Changing things up.

Pay attention to how you feel as you do these and adjust accordingly, and no matter what Give Yourself Credit for doing your best. You are.

What is helping you reduce overwhelm? Share your thoughts here or email me.

image by Kristin Reimer/Photomuse

Are you ready for the fall?

Back to school photos rolling in while some are still on vacation? It can only mean one thing:

Pressure.

I mean fall, but really it’s the same.

My September calendar is filling fast, and the attempt at “normal” over-scheduling with a side of mask mandates is not good for my anxiety.

How are you holding up?

Specifically, what routines and activities are most serving you right now? In times of transition, doubling down on those usually is the best way to maintain grounded.

If it’s your weekday hot chocolate at 11am like it is for me, then cheers to both of us. For my fellow A students, you know I’m also walking or working out first thing and sitting up straight in my chair while typing. When all seems more complicated and overwhelming than I can handle, posture feels like just the kind of control I need. And making my bed, which I’m mostly doing as well.

Okay so this is a check-in to see how you are, so please please tell me. Comment here, hit reply to the newsletter hitting your inboxes shortly, DM me on social media. Supporting each other through change always helps and I’m doubling down on that too.

In fact, I have a special offer for mailing list subscribers to get us all through the fall more confidently — and while being kinder to ourselves — so make sure you sign up now to receive it too.

Now, how are you really, really?