10 Tips for Reducing Overwhelm for Women Solopreneurs

We live in a time of an unbelievable and increasing amount of information, options, stimuli, and demands on our time.  This influx comes from email, commercials in at least 4 or 5 types of media, from our families, businesses, and communities. Who wouldn't like an extra 8 hours added to their day? Sign me up, too.

Until we figure out how to add time to the clock, here are 10 tips for reducing the feeling of overwhelm so you can enjoy your life more, reduce stress, and actually make space for your desires to come to you.  If your life is packed to overflowing, there isn't room for spontaneity and surprises. 

As women, I believe we are taught and socialized to nurture others.  We tend to be the leaders in our families, change agents in our communities, and volunteer everywhere.  This is about making choices that also serve YOU!

1. You will never get it all done.  Start by realizing and accepting this fact.  I'll repeat this because it is fundamental.  You will never get it all done!  That may make you angry and it may seem unfair.  It is important to accept that life is less about the doing and more about the human BEING.  What will you do with the limited time you have in this body, this life?  Twenty years from now, what will you remember most from this time in your life?  Hint: it's probably not the small things you are stressing over right now.  Let them go.
2. Not all ideas must be acted on.  As an entrepreneur, you are probably like me, a creative thinker who generates and idea a minute.  This gift needs to be reigned in at times. When you read an article or hear a TV interview that suggests a fantastic idea, give yourself permission to see if time, resources and money allow you to do it now.  If not, consider collecting ideas that are not practical or possible to do now on pieces of paper in an attractive Idea Box or Bowl.  This will allow your mind to let go, knowing the idea is captured and one day, when you need a good idea or have time, you can mine your idea container
3. Make choices.  The feeling we get of having no control and overwhelm can lead to feeling powerless and victimized.  The moment you realize you have choice, even in situations outside your control, you regain your power. Take responsibility for your life, your actions and your thoughts. 
4. Use filters to make decisions.  You already do this.  Think of the questions you ask yourself or the criteria you use when you order off a restaurant menu; price, calories, fat content, spice level, quantity.  My favorite is the way we make choices the day before a vacation.  If you are like me, you build a list a mile long the week before, but in the final hours you are quick to filter down the essentials and to delegate, eliminate or postpone the other tasks.  Weight the consequences of your options.  If you say "yes" to one thing, what are you saying "no" to?  What would happen if I you said no or not now?
5. Know what is most important in your life.  Create a list of the top 5 things you value most like family, fun, ease, being active, living a long life, being of service, making a difference in your community.  Then use these as a guideline, much like the filters in Tip 4.  Ask yourself, does this activity I'm considering honor and support my values?
6. Have a bigger vision.  Create a life purpose statement that includes who you are as a person, what you are here to do in the world, and the impact your being that will have.  This comes from your instincts and your heart.  There is no right answer.  Choose something! As an example, here is my life purpose statement.  I state it every morning as I put on a special ring I bought as a reminder.  "I am the rare precious radiant jewel who inspires myself and others to live the greatness in their souls until the whole world sparkles with love.
7. Strive to live from choice instead of obligation.  Be really truthful about things on your to-do list.  Are they your real desires or someone else's?  Is this something you feel you should do or feel joyful doing?  Pay attention over the next week and notice the things you tackle, especially the scary things.  Notice the ones you make sure you get done, do easily and feel good about.  Then notice the ones you procrastinate and if you are really bought into do it.  Make a connection between things you want to do and a real priority YOU choose in your life and they'll be easier to do.
8. Live in the moment.  Realize the power of now.  Be awake and conscious as often as you can.  If you catch yourself living on autopilot and realize time is flying by, bring yourself into the moment with these simple steps.  This may seem counterintuitive, but when you are in a frenzy of doing, which can be addictive and needs "intervention," go in the opposite direction by stopping, for even 3-5 minutes! First, close your eyes or at least look away from distractions at your desk.  Then count how many seconds it takes you to inhale and exhale.  Slow your breath to around 10 seconds per inhale/exhale.  This will help you get quiet.  Do this for at least 10 repetitions.  Ask yourself while slowing down, "what do I need most in this moment?" Listen to your intuition, which may be speak to you with inspired choices and promptings that are best for you.  One more bonus of living in the moment is that often fear, shame and anger are trapped in the past or your projection of the future.  Seek joy in the now.
9. Say "no" more often.  Notice how often you feel obligated (there's that word again) to say yes without thinking.  Since that may not be a word you can get to pass through your lips, try this.  Here are examples.  "Yes, I will can that and it will need to be next week."  "Yes, I can do 3 out of the 5 things you asked."  "Yes and I want to bring in some help on this project."   Be selective about where you place your limited resources of time, energy, money and attention.  People or situations that waste your time, prospects or clients who take advantage of you, or those who mistreat you or you don't enjoy, can be politely eliminated over time. 
10. Renegotiate.  Perhaps you like to have your word be your bond and take commitments seriously.  That's honorable, as long as it honors you.  When circumstances come up that you could not predict or forgot about or you find for any reason you cannot keep your commitment, you have a right to change your mind!  Yes, you do.  Rather than stay up till 2:00 a.m. or give up on a priority that honors your priorities in life, redesign your agreement.  To stay in integrity, contact the person with whom you made the commitment and renegotiate.  Tell them what you can do and discus options for the remainder. 

Choose one of these tips and see how you can put it to use in this moment, as you read the last word.  Create a visual reminder or a ritual of your own to help, like a photo of your family, a special stone, or an inspiring quote, or set alarms in your PDA for breathing breaks!  Experiment with these tips to make small changes to reduce your overwhelm today.

Gail Sussman Miller, of Inspired Choice, teaches women solopreneurs and company teams how to reduce overwhelm and overcome marketing obstacles so they can promote their businesses as a natural extension of who they are and what they love to do.  After overcoming her own fear of speaking, Gail has learned ways to help you get over your procrastination and perfectionism to take action!  Women solopreneurs... shorten your learning curve and get in front of your audience so they can find you, hear you and hire you within 3-6 months with the next www.HowtoLoveSpeaking.com!