As a online home business owner, we are constantly bombarded with new ideas and projects, software, apps, programs, courses and other bright and shiny objects. Like most online home business owners, we are very creative so getting easily distracted comes with the territory.
This leads to overwhelm and decreased productivity. How would you like to learn a few quick tips to dig yourself out of the pit of overwhelm once and for all?
Well, that is exactly what you are going to learn today so grab these mindset shifts and practical strategies to defeat overwhelm, get productive and start smiling once again.
Realize that All Online Home Business Owners Experience Overwhelm
The first tip is to realize that you are not alone. All online home business owners experience overwhelm from time to time. If you are new, you might experience it a bit more because there is so much to do and learn. Perhaps you haven’t found your rhythm yet. Just know that as time goes on, you will get better and it will get easier. The most important thing to remember here is to not let the feeling of overwhelm control you. Adopt the mindset of knowing that “this too shall pass” and keep plugging away.
Learn Early on to Control your Language
So many online home business owners miss this and quit before they even get started. Watch your mouth!! Your words have creative power!! That’s right, I said it. You will have what you say. No matter how “overwhelmed” you are, don’t give into the temptation to constantly confess and complain about it.
Instead find some better words to describe your situation. For example, “I am so excited that I get an opportunity to learn so many new concepts.” “As an online home business owner, I have am blessed to be developing so many new skill sets.” “I am so happy that I decided to become an online home business owner, I am going to change so many lives.”
You get the idea here?
Don’t you feel better already? Of course you do. You have traded in feelings of negativity for a positive outlook and now you a ready to get to work!!
Now that you’ve shifted your mindset, let’s tackle some practical strategies to will help you defeat overwhelm.
Create A Mental White Space
I actually learned this concept from Marie Forleo, a genius online marketer. You may of heard this exercise referred to as a brain dump. Here is how it works. Grab a pen and a piece of paper and just start writing down every task, project, errand and anything else you can think of that’s clouding your mind. Don’t worry about being organized, just spit it out and write it down. Once you get it all on paper you will see it might be a lot but it’s not as much as you thought. You will actually find yourself breathing easier. Your mind is no longer burdened down, you’ll be free to think creatively again and come up with a game plan.
As a online home business owner with a growing family, I wear many hats. So, I divide my list into 2 lists, one personal and one for business. It’s just easier for me to separate “make dental appointments and purchase lacrosse cleats” from updating “website and update Facebook pixels”. This way, I feel more in control of my online home business and my life.
Limit Your Daily To Do List to 3 Important Tasks
Hey, if it’s good enough for Warren Buffet, it’s good enough for my online home business. That’s right one of the wealthiest, most influential men in the world has a daily to do list of 3 tasks. One of the leading causes of overwhelm is a to do list that reads like a laundry list. A long list is sabotaging because it’s usually unrealistic. Instead of feeling the joy of accomplishment at the end of the day, we feel the discouragement of defeat. The 3 really cool tasks you did to move your business forward got clouded by all the tasks that you couldn’t possibly get to. Try starting with a short list of 3 tasks. If you finished with time left over, tackle something on your mental white list.
Stop Procrastinating on Everything and Finish Something
As an online home business owner procrastination can be your biggest enemy. It just seems a lot easier and justifiable when you have an online home business to procrastinate. I believe that procrastination may be the number one cause of overwhelm. You might find yourself constantly putting off projects because the plants need watering, or because you can’t find an answer to your question. I have found myself in these scenarios more times than I would like to admit. The truth is, as an online home business owner, you’ve got to find the inner strength to give yourself that swift kick that you need to get back in action.
Finding a fellow online home business owner or an accountability group can help with this. Finishing a project boosts self esteem, release dopamine and gives you the energy to move forward. A load of unfinished projects just drains your energy and leaves you feeling defeated.
Celebrate Your Victories, Even the Small Ones
I keep coming back to this one. This tip is probably my favorite because it is commonly overlooked and yet it is so powerful As online home business owners, we don’t get the pat on the back that typically comes from a boss or coworker. So pat yourself on the back and celebrate your own victory of completing a project.
Instead of mindlessly going from project to project, learn to pause and celebrate. This is a strategy that could be a game changer for you. Human psychology tells us that we all have a need for recognition and appreciation. Many times, especially in the beginning stages of your online home business, this positive reinforcement is non existent.
If anything you may be constantly battling negativity and voices telling you what you cannot do. This negative self talk can lead to feelings of overwhelm and defeat. So pause, take a break, pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Try treating yourself to pedicure or latte or some other small pleasure. Then get back in the saddle and enjoy your journey to freedom!!
X O
Elaine