How to handle task paralysis
There are days when there is so much to do. It is overwhelming and feels like you are drowning in work. The worst of the feeling is the inability to decide which one to work on first. Prioritization is not always possible, especially if you are feeling like this. It becomes hard to think rationally. All of us have been in this place at some point or the other. In fact, I felt like it just today morning. Here is what I do when I feel like this.
My “framework” for times like this is:
Breathe. Drink water.
Take a post-it, a note book or a piece of paper and pen or pencil.
Write down all the things that need to be done today. Everything. Include bath, walk the dog, feed the fish etc.. Everything that is on your mind. De-clutter and put it on paper.
Assign time next to each of the items - The time at which you can pick it up today. Just write times when you think you can pick it up. Do not prioritize intentionally, but while you are writing the time down if you feel like something needs to be done first, adjust accordingly.
If you couldn’t get through the whole list, it is OK!
I had this feeling today and here is what I did.
Took a post-it and pen.
Made a list.
LinkedIn learning course
Lenny’s podcast on pricing
Write a post today
Workout
Record a video for the previous post.
It is 10am. So I put times across each of the items. Roughly 1 hour for each item.
LinkedIn learning course - 11a
Lenny’s podcast on pricing - 12p
Write a post today - 10a
Workout - 5p
Record a video for the previous post. 2p
Why I picked some of those times, because my brain (yours will too!) knows that 1p is my lunch time, 3p is daughter pickup time, 5p is daughter tv time which means I can workout without disturbance.
It is important to not worry about tomorrow.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Bible
What do you do when you get this feeling? Please share your tips in the comments section 👇🏼