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Let’s face it, juggling a job, a business, and life can feel overwhelming sometimes. That can look like:
- You could feel stressed out.
- You could be procrastinating on a task for whatever reason.
- You feel stuck and unsure of what your next steps should be.
- You’re just tired.
- You're ready to crawl under the covers and hide from the world for a day or three.
Not to mention the dozens of emotional support Internet tabs you have open (31 for me!) and the neverending to-do list.
Sound familiar?
But here’s the good news: we can gain control of the chaos in just 30 minutes. Yes, you read that right, 30 minutes!
So, grab a coffee (or your beverage of choice, because #adulting) and let's break down this overwhelm.
Part 1: Identify What’s Causing Your Overwhelm (10 Minutes)
Overwhelm doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes, it sneaks in, and you just feel some kind of way – stuck, stressed, or simply exhausted.
But once you know you feel that way, we want to get clear on what’s causing it. Here’s how:
- Brain Dump Time! Grab a pen and paper (or your phone, whatever is easiest for you). Set a timer for 5 minutes and write down EVERYTHING swirling in your mind. Don’t think; just write – tasks, worries, fears, ideas. The point is to get it all out of your head so we can start making sense of it.
- Review: After 5 minutes, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and review your list. Are there any recurring themes? Do specific tasks make you take a deep breath? Or make you wonder how in the world you can get them done? Those could be the ones triggering your overwhelm.
Real Talk: It's okay if your list looks like a jumbled mess. The point is to get it all out of your head and onto paper (or screen) so we can start making sense of it.
Part 2: Prioritize your To-Do List (15 Minutes)
Now we know what we are working with.
- Prioritize: Grab your brain dump list and a fresh sheet of paper. Set a timer for 5 minutes. Scan your list and identify 2 to 3 urgent tasks for your side hustle this week. These are your “Top Priority Tasks.” Think of them as the VIPs of your to-do list.
- Now, let’s baby-step this business: Let’s make those top priorities feel less…big. For each task, ask yourself: “What’s the smallest, most actionable step I can take right now to move this forward?” This step should take 15 minutes or less to complete. Write down this first baby step next to its corresponding task. Repeat this for each of your VIPs.
💡Feeling overwhelmed by even the baby step? Break it down even more! Can you identify a 5-minute action item within that first step? Remember, progress is the goal here. Not perfection.
Part 3: Celebrate (5 Minutes)
Once you’ve identified a baby step for each of your top 3 tasks, give yourself a high-five and spread some virtual confetti. 🎉
You’ve identified what’s causing you to be overwhelmed, prioritized your side hustle tasks, and created a to-do list with actionable, bite-sized steps. And all in 30 minutes.
Know what that is? A HUGE accomplishment! 🏆
Bonus Tip: Take a moment to schedule these baby steps into your calendar. Block out three 15-minute sessions to make progress on those VIP tasks over the next week. Let me know how it goes.
Focus on those small, achievable steps. Consistent action, no matter how small, will move you closer to your side hustle goals. Remember, it's about progress and building momentum. Keep swimming.
Share your biggest side hustle overwhelm trigger in the comments below! Let's manage this together, one baby step (and cup of coffee) at a time. We’ve got this!