You’re trying to juggle multiple tasks at once and it feels like everything is taking precedence. Your mind races, jumping from one uncompleted task to another. This is the consequence of multitasking, leading you to a state of overwhelming stress. Remember that it’s not your shortcoming; it’s the human mind trying to handle more than it’s designed to.

You may feel buried under the weight of your tasks right now, but remember that it’s okay to slow down. Take a mindful pause and remind yourself that you are in control. You can and will conquer this feeling of overwhelm. Strive for progress, not perfection.

Affirmations

• I am capable of prioritizing and completing my tasks one at a time.
• Every task achieved eases my burden and brings me calm.
• I have the strength to navigate through this overwhelm.
• By focusing on one task at a time, I make meaningful progress.

Follow up

Multitasking might seem like a productive manoeuvre, but in reality, it can drain your mental resources, leading to errors, diminished productivity and heightened stress. Remember, your worth isn’t defined by the length of your to-do list.

The prompts in this guide are designed to help you bring order to the chaos. By identifying and prioritising your tasks, you regain control. It’s then easier to commit your focus to one task at a time, leading to a more effective use of energy and attention, with the added benefit of reducing anxiety.

Delegating or postponing tasks is not a sign of failure or inadequacy, but of sound judgement and effective management. Learning to discern what tasks require your immediate attention, what can be pushed back, and what can be handed over to others, can alleviate the pressures of multitasking.

Writing these things down can have a surprisingly calming effect. Transferring your thoughts and tasks from your mind onto paper can make them seem more manageable. They’re no longer a swirling storm in your mind but rather a list that can be methodically worked through.

From this point onwards, focus on achieving ‘bite-sized’ progress. Divide larger tasks into smaller, manageable parts and tackle them one at a time. Savour the satisfaction that accompanies each small victory.

Remember, it’s perfectly okay to ask for help when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Support from friends, family, or colleagues can be a vital lifeline when struggling under heavy loads.

Take a deep breath. You’ve got this.