You’re treading water. You’re in the deep. You’re swimming, but just barely. Then you see it. You see a massive wave rolling your way. You know you’re about to be overwhelmed.
The wave is a massive project, an unanticipated problem, a huge to do list. And it’s coming your way. You can do one of two things. You can dread the wave and prepare to be overwhelmed and drowned in the payload of water and work.
Or you can grab a surf board, position yourself, and ride the wave. Yes, your hands, feet, and every other body part will be holding on for dear life. But at least you’ll be riding the wave instead of tumbling beneath it.
There are just those times in our lives when circumstances get overwhelming. I’m in one of those moments now. As I blog this, I have two hours left in my work day and I’ve only accomplished 5% of my to do list. There are problems cropping up left and right. And it’s not going to get better in the next month. It’s going to get worse. My wave is Echo Conference 2013. And the crest is July 24th.
So I can either stare at my looming to do list as it sweeps over me. Or I can make a conscious decision that I’ll ride this wave. I choose the latter.
I give up a little bit of control and just move. I react. I balance. I let the water splash and spray me but I keep going. I’m going to ride this wave until completion. It won’t consume me or overwhelm me.
Yes, I’ll be worn out when the wave is finally done. But I won’t be coughing up water. I’ll be basking in the rush I just experienced.
You don’t have to be overwhelmed.
Great thoughts Jonathan. Love the metaphor. I am in a similar situation right now. Can you expound more specifically on how and what you are doing to not be overwhelmed? It’s one thing for me to make that decision. It’s another to know exactly how to go about doing it. That’s where I could use some guidance.
Specifically. I create lists. I create daily lists or even hourly lists. I write down everything I need to do…get it out of my head…then I only focus on exactly what’s in front of me. I don’t worry about what I’ve already done or what I have to do in the future. I focus on now and just work.
I believe so much of our time is spent dreading what’s coming or trying to remember everything we need to do. Instead…just do it. Don’t even think about it.
Thanks man. I’m a list maker too but I think you are dead on with making the list more specific, that is breaking it down into even more manageable and attainable tasks and putting a time limit on it. Thanks for letting me know I’m on the right track. I really appreciate your blog in general. It’s a great source of encouragement to me. Blessings.
Thanks for the encouragement! 🙂
Great thoughts Jonathan. Love the metaphor. I am in a similar situation right now. Can you expound more specifically on how and what you are doing to not be overwhelmed? It’s one thing for me to make that decision. It’s another to know exactly how to go about doing it. That’s where I could use some guidance.
Specifically. I create lists. I create daily lists or even hourly lists. I write down everything I need to do…get it out of my head…then I only focus on exactly what’s in front of me. I don’t worry about what I’ve already done or what I have to do in the future. I focus on now and just work.
I believe so much of our time is spent dreading what’s coming or trying to remember everything we need to do. Instead…just do it. Don’t even think about it.
Thanks man. I’m a list maker too but I think you are dead on with making the list more specific, that is breaking it down into even more manageable and attainable tasks and putting a time limit on it. Thanks for letting me know I’m on the right track. I really appreciate your blog in general. It’s a great source of encouragement to me. Blessings.
Thanks for the encouragement! 🙂