Life gets busy. Super busy. And this time of the year is a prime example: kids are going back to school, perhaps you are taking some classes yourself, work may be gearing up for the fourth quarter of the year, and yes, the holidays are coming with their wide opportunities of get-togethers and celebrations.
When life is so busy, it can be easy to feel a bit overwhelmed. I know I do at times. Especially in times of transition, I’ve recognized the difficulty of maintaining certain routines and getting everything done. Then, if you’re anything like me, the stress factor elevates as I start seeing the limits we have on my time in the day to get everything done that I feel I want to, or need to.
That sense of overwhelm can be terrible. I was experiencing it over the past week and decided to get to the bottom of my own. I thought I would share this with you as I believe it will be helpful to you if you are in that place to any degree right now.
My now standard procedure for when I am feeling overwhelmed about anything, or within life in general, is to get a pen and paper and write it all out. I took my three biggest projects I am working on in my life right now and wrote out processes that span anywhere from this weekend to 8 months from now.
For example, one of my projects is completing the decorating within my new studio apartment in town. I have uninsured projects in my mind as well as what the finished product should look like, but I did not have a process by which to tackle the completion of the vision. I felt overwhelmed. So, I took out my journal and wrote down all the smaller projects that need to be done in order for me to see the finished product of my new place. Then, I numbered them in order of importance (clothing storage outranks the cutesy headboard I wanted to make). After prioritizing, I dug into each task and created action steps for each item. Then, I had a process to follow, and a deadline to get it done by: Labor Day weekend.
Overwhelm was gone. Clarity came. All I had to do next was take the actions I had listed out. Done.
We can do this same process in every area of priority in our lives: health, fitness, wellness, family, relationships, finances, career, social life ..
I’ve been reading through a fantastically practical little book by the creator ofZenHabits.net called The Power of Less (Leo Babauta). In the beginning of the book, he goes through 6 “Power of Less Principles”:
- Set limitations (“By setting limitations, we must choose the essential. So in everything you do, learn to set limitations.”)
- Choose the essential (“A series of questions: 1. What are your values? 2. What are your goals? 3. What do you love? 4. What is important to you? 5. What has the greatest impact? 6. What has the most long-term impact? 7. What do ou actually need, and what do you simply want? 8. Eliminate the nonessential 9. Embrace this as a continual editing process.”)
- Simplify
- Focus
- Create habits
- Start small
I highly recommend the book and his website for tips and info.
In the meantime, I am gearing up to bring in 4 new clients to work with personally with the curriculum I have developed to create true lifestyle change and health and wellness. In order to find the right clients to work with, I am offering a Free Transformation Session to those who apply that are absolutely ready to make some amazing lasting changes in their lives. Go here to apply, and I will be in touch. I’ll have questions for you. This is your time to really become the you that you know inside you are capable of being – that potential within you – strong, healthy, motivated, fit, confident, happy .. It is yours for the taking! All you have to do is trust a little to believe it and we will accomplish it.
I look forward to talking!
Happy Labor Day!
Best always,
Aubrey
Aubrey Eicher
owner/personal trainer, Richmond Wellness
richmond-wellness.com | 804-367-3589 phone
PS: If this resonates with you, I want to invite you to apply for that free transformation session – it’s a one-hour session with me, in person. We will talk about everything from your medical health history to your posture and body mechanics, any pain you’re experiencing, and your goals – where you want to go. I am offering these for the month of September – with a new curriculum class (of four specifically chosen individuals) starting October 1 – a new program I have launched and pilot tested with excellent results and case studies I can share with you. Perhaps we will work together, perhaps we will not. Either way, it’s a free hour session with me to discuss where you are and where you want to go.
Here’s the link to apply: http://svy.mk/1VoaLsV
My goal is to help you along your journey! That is what I am here for.