Do you ever find yourself challenged by the day-day lists of life projects, tasks, priorities and to-do's? To-Do's, finances, getting things done and feeling overwhelmed have become a common theme.

Overwhelm will leave you feeling drained and feeling like you'll never catch up. My own feeling of overwhelm shows up as tension in my shoulders, like I'm carrying a heavy knapsack of boulders on my back. And when it gets really bad I find I'm barely breathing and feel a little frantic. Now, as a normal, busy, responsible person, you may have to accept that overwhelm is just a part of hectic life, but I'm here to sing you a new tune and offer a few tips to get you out of the doldrums and back into a bit more calm. Read on if you're in need of some new options to dealing with your overwhelm.

Tip #1: Step Back. Re-Group

Re-grouping is something I've been doing off and on for the past year. It's a weekly 30-minute practice during which you connect to your intentions, remind yourself of your goals, and get crystal clear on your priorities. Take a few moments, and look at the week ahead. List your top 3 priorities (not your 20 to-do's), get clear on appointments and schedule your activities into your day timer or scheduler - put in time for workouts, writing time, rest time. This one tip alone will help you get back on track. Why? Because it weeds out the unimportant stuff and keeps a bit of momentum going. It also gives you clarity and doesn't leave room to overlap, overbook and to take more on. Even if you stray from task, this better than having no plan and feeling overwhelmed!

Tip#2: Breakdown projects into tasks

As an inspired entrepreneur, I have been guilty of taking on more than I can chew and have often set unrealistic deadlines for myself. This usually has left me feeling deflated and yet again - overwhelmed. The solution: get clear on your tasks vs. your projects. A task is a to-do. A project is a Mammoth task that can easily make you want to run and hide. Break your projects into tasks during your re-grouping session and set realistic deadlines. Prioritize them. This will be sure to reduce your overwhelm by at least 75%!

Tip#3: Indulge in the euphoria of completion

I've been known to make my client's set their weekly goals so small that they laugh and think I'm letting them off the hook. Or, I'll ask if they think they're goals are unrealistic and need to be reviewed. The reason for this is that when you maintain a sense of completion, it keeps you motivated and inspired to continue on. When you keep glancing at the list of 80 To-Do's in one week, it's sure to make you feel overwhelmed and burnt out. This solution will give you permission to acknowledge your completion so that you can revel in your productivity! It's like a boost of anti-oxidants to your immune system!

Tip#4: Use a timer (I've come to love mine!)

I'm sure you're thinking "right, like I need this." Just give it a try and you'll be amazed at how fast time flies! It's become my own boss! It forces me to act with speed, get over my gremlins of having something completed perfectly and it allows me to get more accomplished. It's a simple structure that has given me added benefits. When the clock is running you'll be less tempted to answer the phone, return emails or run down and change the laundry over.

Tip#5: Set realistic expectations

More than not I find many of my client's setting enormous expectations for themselves. And in most cases these are unrealistic. It's great to be inspired and moved to take action on your endeavors. But before you get going to the races, define a realistic date and marker for yourself based on your own circumstances. Stop comparing yourself to others. Take a look at your entire life and determine your path based on your own situation.

YOU'RE ASSIGNMENT:

Play with these new habits. Tweak them so they work for YOU! Don't expect that you'll be perfect at digging yourself out the doldrums. But expect to see results the more you practice these skills.

About the Author: Whether focused on career success, career transition, stress and anxiety management, physical health or balanced well-being, Jackie coaches you to arrive at a new level of mastery, success, joy and balance. Jackie's signature style combines a mix of stimulating and thought provoking questions, mind/body release techniques, assessment tools, accountability and support, with her own personal and business expertise to give her clients satisfying results in the time that works for them.