6 Steps To Being Less Overwhelmed In 2009

It was a sleepless night. The clock read 5:40 am by the time I finally dozed off. I woke up a few hours later and took a long look in the mirror. I looked haggard to say the least. As I looked at myself, the message I got back was, "It's 2009." Silence.... Again, "It's 2009 and you have soooooooo much to do!!" I continued to look in the mirror and my glance was met with a blank stare. I began to feel the onslaught of paralysis caused by this overwhelming statement. You know, the kind of engulfing experience where you put your hands over your ears and say things like, "It's too much! It's too much! It's too much! How can I handle all of this!? How am I going to succeed?" AND, "Can I really use this as fodder for my next coaching blog, what if they think I'm a mess? I'm a Life Coach, I can't let people know I'm not perfect!"

Well, now you know I'm not perfect. I am a divine being in human form doing Life Coaching and I still get plagued by fear and challenges. My training has helped deepen self awareness and connection with spirit. This supports me in managing my stuff as it comes up and helping others. So, what was my response to all of this? "Oh no you don't! You will not have control here!" I stopped. I broke it down. I identified the source, I let go of self-judgment, and I now understand this experience more deeply. I am going to share my insight.

Being on the precipice of a new year and new resolutions can produce anxiety for some people. I have discovered in myself and my work with others that this is rooted in impatience that comes from the dire urge for a new idea to immediately become reality. However, between the seeding of a new vision, and it being born into the world, there is a gestation period. Gestation includes mapping visions and dreams into executable action plans. The action plan consists of your larger vision broken into smaller, more achievable, actually less overwhelming chunks. For instance, in a new workout routine you don't start bench pressing 300 pounds. Rather, perhaps you create a workout plan where you start with an achievable weight of 90 pounds and slowly push yourself beyond your previous limit until you have reached your goal. The issue for some is that this does not happen overnight.

Here are some specific steps I have outlined in the process of kicking overwhelm out of my life in 2009.

1. Stop!
Often times we become impatient. We want to go from planting the seed of a new dream to having the dream a reality. As a result, I know, personally, if I am not careful I will rush into action without taking the time to engage the steps outlined below. If this is true for you too, stop!

2. Breathe
As I continued looking in the mirror I began intentionally focusing on my breath, which allowed me to start to relax and focus on the present moment. Focused breathing reminded me that I am in partnership with a Grand Organizing Designer (GOD) that has never let me down before. I was feeling inspired. The root of the word inspiration is inspire. Inspire also means to take air into the lungs. Therefore, consider that when you are breathing you are inspiring yourself, which will support you in any new endeavor. Also, when your attention is on the present moment you can't be overwhelmed. Parts of the definition of overwhelm states, "to overcome in mind." The reason you can be "overcome in mind," is because you allow yourself to get entrenched in thoughts about everything other than the
present moment.

3. Self-Trust
I experience impatience with gestation as a lack of trust. I have found in my personal work and work with others that this is an extension of a lack of self-trust. Many of the endeavors I am currently engaged in for the New Year are things that I have never done before. With this in mind I am gentle with myself in the knowledge that there is a normal fear of the unknown present. However, I also engage in self-support by releasing self-judgment. For instance, I have had a judgment present about whether or not I am capable of success, particularly with something I have never done before. I release the judgment and know that I have achieved at least a modicum of success in everything I have set out to do. As a result, I am able to make the choice to trust myself and keep moving forward.

4. State your intention and clarify your goal.
After relaxing a bit I took a mental inventory of my intentions and goals. Before starting any project it is best to state your intention and clarify your goal. Every action taken after stating the intention and clarifying your goal is taken with a vision of your overall purpose. I reminded myself that past, clearly stated intentions have helped bring success with more velocity.

5. Map it
After stating your intention and clarifying your goal, map all of your milestones and actions. Include your resources and team in your map. Mapping will also bring velocity and vision to every action you take. You will experience much more ease in your work with a project map. In my case my maps have been created. Sometimes you have to remember to include in your calendar a weekly review of all of your plans and track to your goals. This was the lesson for me. My attention has been pulled by the holidays and so had not made time recently to review my maps.

6. Visualize
When you have stated your intention, clarified your goal, and mapped it, spend a few minutes visualizing. Visualizing your goals as if you have already reached them helps move you into co-creation. Co-creation is the symbiotic relationship that results when you move into partnership with spirit. It will also raise your vibration to the level needed to attract your success.

The experience of being overwhelmed mostly comes from a fear of the unknown, lack of self-trust, and not being fully present. Today I reminded myself of what Mark Twain eloquently said. He said that courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the willingness to experience fear, resist it, and keep moving forward. When you clarify goals and map your project you can move forward with a vision of where you are headed. I feel strongly that deliberate action also helps to cure fear. My wish for you is that you gently engage these steps to manage any overwhelm that comes your way, choose courage, and take action to turn your dreams into reality in 2009.

***

To attend Jason's weekly "Power Circle 2009" e-mail [e-mail]. Learn more about Jason at www.jmannino.com.

Comments

[JjasonLee]

Okay. I kind of wanted to just brush off the article as too much sentiment. But I can't help but feel a little relief and inspiration at your sharing. I'll be tuning in next article. thanks

[foxmoxrox]

Jason,
Thanks so much for this article...It's brilliant. And I will definitely want to talk to you soon!

Thanks again...

Shannon W.

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for your encouragement!! I'll look forward to talking to you.

Have a great new year!

Jason

[burnsrunner]

Have you tried checking out Dr. Sha's Soul Power Series books? Personally I have lessened my stress this last holiday and actually enjoyed myself with my relatives. Try checking out his new book this month, "The Power of Soul." Every page offers soul wisdom and practices applicable everyday, in the simplest and most joyful manner, to help resolve a host of complex life issues.

www.drsha.com

[docgee]

Jason, terrific and concise coaching tips. May I add two notes of clarification?:

1) Why mapping: Because mapping reinforces the natural networking of the brain's effort to process information: Non-linear, non-hierarchical, multi-vectored webs of neural signals.

And Maps speak to the gestalt perception offered by visual images: My students and clients love mapping, especially multi-media approaches to marking clusters and territories of ideas, intuitions, feelings, values, actions, challenges and achievements.

2) Embed the 6 great tips (especially the breathing tip) with some kind of somatic or physical awareness of feeling into your moving body as you breath. Tapping into somatic or proprioceptive awareness signals and "lubricates" central nervous system intelligence networks for memory and reinforcing our executive functions to make decisions and complete tasks (Cf the body/mind/brain connection).

P.S. Re: Your "Grand Organizing Designer" reference to breathing. Funny how throughout the globe, ancient cultural practices of breathing recognize breathing as the "cloak of the soul."

Synaptically yours,

Dr. G. a.k.a. A coaching colleague sending gratitude for your clear-sighted effort to address the public good.

M. A. Greenstein, Ph.D., R.Y.T.
The George Greenstein Institute, creating a sustainable future by coaching bodies, brains and minds, www.bodiesinspace.com

[tgig]

Thank so much for your encouragement and in depth feedback. I am very intrigued by what I saw at your website. YOu are up to some amazing things. AND TED '09, congratulations, that's wonderfu!

Jason

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Jason what I have learned after years of teaching and being with others is that it's ok to be myself and not to make a big deal at of things. If I don't get it right pick myself up and keep going.

You tips are spot on.

Bog Love,

Ed

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for your feedback and encouragement!!

Have a blessed New Year!

Jason

[michaeljsonntag]

If you're having trouble getting started on your goals for the New Year, you're not alone. It's something that most of us struggle with - especially moving out of the "down time" most of us take for the holidays. Here is a great article about how to move through this difficulty - mapping it out is always the part that I tend to get lazy about - it's the thing that I allow myself to push off all of the time. Good to remember how necessary that is to do.

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for your feedback. Trust, me you are not the only one who dives right into action without fully mapping/planning in service to a greater vision for oneself, others, the creation, etc.

Have an awesome '09

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Jason,

Beautiful post - thank you! I love being reminded to return to my breath - actually the only thing I have to do. In the past, I have found that actions taken mindfully as a co-creator have produced the best and sometimes very remarkable results.

What a blessing that we even have goals to overwhelm us.

New Year blessings to you!
Anne

[tgig]

Breath: it's so simple and so profound!!

Happy New Year!

Jason

[Primadonna]

Thank you Jason for blogging here at Huffpo ... Courage ... it is such a profound word and so rare to describe many by ... many may rise to the call of courage ... with fearlessness now that 2009 is here and our new president will take office upon the 20th. It is time. I am a fellow graduate of USM and I'm pleased to see your work here.

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you!! Yes, my prayer is that we move collectively beyond all this fear that we have seen in the past few months and become courageous. I sincerely believe that for that very reason it is action that can help cure fear. Even going inward to bring forth inner peace is a profound action.

Thanks for your support and have a blessed '09

[Alexio62]

A very insightful and relevant article for today's current events.
It outlines a significant beginning to organize one's direction, goals and aspirations.
To create an ongoing support that forwards one's intentions needs a aligned group, either in the form of an individual coach or a supportive group.
Aligned groups are what give society synergistic impetus that support the group and individual, and make a difference in society.
Also,the goal is to be attained, but not to the exclusion of the trip. Being where you are when you're there is a spiritual experience, and a kick in the ass.

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

I appreciate you bringing forward two very important points

1) the necessity for ongoing support in the form of someone in addition to yourself i.e. A Life Coach or group support.
2) To reemphasize that although the goal is to be attained but that being fully present along the way is just as critical to learning and growth. I attempted to bring that forward in identifying the "lack" of patience and attention to breath. The breath is extremely supportive in staying present.

Have a happy New Year!

Jason

[johnnyburke4u]

Jason, I really enjoyed the directness of your writing. You nailed it right on the head when you discussed intention and clarifying the goal. For me, I often think the goal is the end all. Without heartfelt intentions and clear visualization, the end product simply is that--an end product--- not something magnificent that truly represents my heart and soul.
Thanks for the beauitful reminder.

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for bringing forth a very important distinction, which is the distinction that if we try to bypass the process we could very well bypass having our heart's fully present. As I write this I consider that this could be part of why people end up having to have "bypass surgery"

[Bearangaria]

I like these. Perhaps I will have them tattooed on me.

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Ha! that's amusing. Thanks and Happy New Year

Jason

[ManSoRare]

My mother once said, "$hit or get off the pot!"

[muscleboundH]

Another nice article. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[swiss-ski]

Yes Jason we all need to take a deep breath and calm down. It would also help if the name calling, profanity and general stupidity would go away, far away.

[soultravelers3]

Thank you! Great timing and a very helpful guide as I think many people are a bit in overwhelm concerning 2009. I appreciate your honesty. My guess is that many of us will be into change and doing new things this year.

I recently twittered a Darwin quote “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the ones most responsive to change.” Your post made me think about that again and the big changes that are happening to the planet now which affects each of us.

Thanks for sharing some of the tools that can help us!

[Jason Mannino - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes!The real definition of responsibility is literally "the ability to respond" to any given situation, circumstance, and in this case change. Great awareness! I love the quote you shared. I will remember that!

Happy New Year!

Jason

[ManSoRare]

That is NOT even close to the definition of responsibility!