We all have different hats, so many tasks and responsibilities. Sometimes it gets like a rollercoaster in our head, and we feel, we just want to give up and don’t do anything anymore. We can’t think, we can’t focus and we lose motivation and our stress level, anxiety and fear increases immediately. In such moments, we all need some proven ways to manage overwhelm.
Whenever you have that feeling, whenever you feel that it is too much to address and you have huge baggage on your shoulders, try these few things to get back on track as it is only a matter of redirecting your energy on what you can do that time and circumstance.
6 Tips to Manage Overwhelm at Workplace
- Pause, breathe, reset: Take a moment. Step away. Go for a short walk or get a cup of coffee to reset your energy and calm your mind.
- Identify the real cause: What’s actually overwhelming you — too many tasks, unrealistic expectations, anxieties about what might happen, or other people’s demands?
- Brain dump & prioritize: Write down everything on your mind. Then decide what truly matters in this moment. Ask: What must be done now? What can wait? What is urgent vs. important?
- Reach out for support: Don’t try to handle it alone. Talk to a colleague, delegate tasks, or be transparent with your manager about capacity or deadline concerns.
- Break tasks into small steps: Big tasks can feel overwhelming. Split them into smaller, doable actions that you can complete little by little — progress still counts.
- Accept imperfect progress: Not everything needs to be perfect or completed today. Allow room for “unfinished” with the promise of doing more tomorrow.
Managing Overwhelm at Workplace…
Feeling overwhelmed? Happens to us all. Pause, take a breath. What’s causing it? Prioritize tasks for you. Ask for help if needed. Remember, progress takes time. Unfinished today, okay for tomorrow. Don’t let overwhelm win.
Do you need help with dealing with feeling overwhelmed at work?
I love to work with professionals and leaders to assist them in their career journey, equipping them with the tools and techniques they need to perform at their best.