Where to Start When You Don't Even Know Where to Start

Is it just me or do you ever have those moments when you are SO overwhelmed that you honestly don't even know where to begin? You have so much that needs to get done that even just thinking about all you have to do stresses you out?

I've felt like this a few times over these past few days, and it is not a very fun feeling. So where should you start when you don't even know where to start? Here are a few of my tips to (hopefully) help you feel less overwhelmed, and more motivated to get. stuff. done.

1. Breathe. Yes, this needs to be included as a tip. Not only is breathing vital for living, it also helps you calm down a bit. Everything will get done. It will all be ok in the end. Just take a deep breath.

2. Make a list. We all know how I feel about this one--I am all about lists. But seriously, taking some time to physically write down everything that you need helps in a number of ways. Making a list allows you to actually see what needs to get done so that you can begin formulating a plan of attack. Making a list also allows you to get all of your stressed out, jumbled up thoughts out of your brain and onto a piece of paper. 

3. Go someplace where you know that you can get work done. I've written about this before. Find somewhere that you are the least distracted and the most productive--be it your desk, the library, Starbucks, etc--and go there. This will help you minimize distractions and focus on the tasks before you a whole lot easier.

4. Pick one thing to work on first, and work on it until it is finished. So many times, we see this big list ahead of us and feel like our time would be better spent trying to accomplish as many things as we can at the same time. Stop doing that. Choose one task from your list, and put all of the other undone tasks out of your mind until you finish that first one. What do you do when you are done with that first task? Pick a second...and then a third...

5. Realize that it's ok if you don't finish everything right now. Sometimes, I stress myself out even more by thinking that I have to do every single thing on my to-do list in one sitting. Break down your tasks into the most urgent, most difficult, and so on. Get done whatever you can get done in the moment, and then realize that tomorrow is another day. 

Do you have any tips on where to start when you don't even know where to start? I'd love to hear them!

The Best Way Out is Always Through

Is it just me or do you ever have things in your life you wish you could get out of or skip over? Looming events or deadlines that you are just absolutely not looking forward to?

Well, you are not alone. There are times in my life, past and present, when I just want things to be over with. I dread their arrival, worry slowly eating me away day by day. 

But it is not until you actually get through things that you realize your worry was all for naught. It is not until you are on the other side that you see that you got through it, and it actually wasn't all that bad.

Sometimes, instead of trying to avoid things, you need to just tough it out and muddle through. I promise that there will be an end eventually, and with each thing you get through, you will grow stronger. Because you made it through, you will be able to look back on the things you dreaded with a sense of pride and accomplishment.

Not only does going through things make you stronger, it also allows you to help encourage others when they are going through a tough time. Sometimes all a person needs is to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and that things will get better. Each time you get through something, you can add it to your list of accomplishments so that, not only will you be better able to conquer the same or similar thing in the future, but you will also be better equipped to shower others with words of encouragement and hope.

So the next time you want to avoid something, realize that the best way out is through. You will get through it, and you will be better, stronger than you were before. 

How to Get Through the "Tough-to-Get-Through" Days

Is it just me or are some days really hard to get through? You wake up knowing that you have a long day ahead of you, and you wonder how you are going to get through?

For me, those tough-to-get-through days are Wednesdays. I go non-stop on Wednesdays from morning until night, and I usually dread them. But this week, I tried something a little different. When yesterday morning came around, I thought to myself, "You know, today doesn't have to be a bad day. I'm going to try and make it a good one." 

And so I did.

I went into the day with a happy mentality, and instead of trying to take on the whole day at once, I focused on getting through one task at a time. This is something that I highly recommend--get through those tough days one task at a time, no matter how small the task. 

If you have to, mentally walk yourself through your day, step by step (ex: I'm going to get ready for work now. OK, now I am going to drive to work. Alright, let's get through my first class! Now the second...etc.). Doing this helps me break down my day into something more manageable, and I feel accomplished every time I complete one little "task." Doing this also helps me feel a lot less overwhelmed. 

Have those tough-to-get-through days? Try taking things one step at a time. I promise you that you'll make it through! 

Do you have any other tips for getting through the rough days? Let me know down in the comments!