Overwhelmed and Not Productive? Use the Small Approach.

This week I’m surrounded by overwhelmingness. I have multiple large work projects that I need to move forward and would like it to go faster.  The more I push this, the less productive I feel.  

I’m seeing this with clients, too. And when things start to feel overwhelming, we can get in our head, overthink things, and get in our own way.  When I feel this happening, I like to think small and remind myself that 

Each small action leads to something BIG.

I recommend many of my clients keep an Insight and Celebration Calendar. The idea is that each day you write one insight you’ve had about yourself or one thing you are proud of from that day. The reason for this is because most people don’t realize the impact the small steps they take can have. In taking a moment to note it each day, when they look back, they realize all the small steps are preparing them for and leading to something big.

Recognizing the small steps are just as impactful as big steps because they, too, are movement.  And thinking about the small steps can be less overwhelming and can open up the flow of the work to be done.  

Here are some things I use to remind me to think small:

Start with my breath. I stop and concentrate on my breathing.  I recently read a book in which the author recommended smiling as you breathe in and out.  It is a deceptively simple concept and now I rather enjoy sitting there smiling as I breathe. It is a reminder to me that this small action affects more than just my face.

Revisit my purpose. Here is where I refocus on not only the purpose of my to-do list for that day, but my overall life purpose as I understand it to be right now.  For me, my goal is to live in the present moment, enjoy and recognize the gifts I have, and help others do the same.

What is my best next step? Asking this question from a calm place helps to provide clarity regarding moving forward in that moment. Many times, my best next step is something small to get me going.

Remind myself to trust.   I decide to trust that each thing I do will be on the path needed at that time. This helps me to focus on what I am doing now instead of thinking about what I am not doing. I trust that the rest will come in time. 

Thinking big has its benefits. It’s where we can plan for further down the road regarding what we want to accomplish.  Thinking small has its benefits, too.  This is where we can focus on the moment we are in and create the action to move us toward larger goals.  

In what ways can thinking small help you today?