If You’re Constantly Feeling Overwhelmed, Try This

Between work, family, and our personal lives, it’s no surprise that many of us feel overwhelmed a lot of the time. If your to-do list never seems to get shorter, step back and try a new approach. For example, consider whether certain tasks are stressing you out more than others. 

If so, focus on those first: Finish a big project as soon as possible, or break down a complicated goal into more manageable steps. You should also consider whether perfectionist tendencies are getting in your way. For each task, think about what “good enough” looks like, and be honest about whether spending more time on something will meaningfully improve it. (If not, take a breath and move on.) 

Finally, ask yourself which to-dos are truly a good use of your time — and then delegate those that aren’t. Could you send an employee to a meeting you don’t need to be at, or outsource meal preparation at home if you don’t like cooking? Thinking about how you’re using your time can help you use it more wisely.