How Do I Stay Focused and Combat Overwhelm?

This is a question I am asked often and more so now. As we are dealing with the complexities of life and work and with COVID added to the mix, it is hard to focus. I get you. Each of us are dealing with the realities of our own world, business is impacted and the show has to go on.

I remember speaking to Dr. Kristen Neff, the leading researcher on Self-Compassion during the Leadership Summit last year on the difficulty I was having on staying focused and the challenges in getting my work out. She patiently listened and gently reminded me to be compassionate with myself.

Wow – that was hard but made it easy for me to stay in the game.

Today, I want to pass on this message to you. If you are feeling overwhelmed, distracted then the most important thing to do is to be kind to yourself.  Practice Self-compassion. It is normal if you’re anxious or upset or stressed or overwhelmed with the multitude of things going on.

It’s you being human.

“With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we’d give to a good friend” – Kristen Neff

We all are experiencing challenging times. The reality of our lives is different today than ever before. The constraints are different, may be even more complex. Though we may want to do it all, we cannot. Being mindful that we cannot do it all and playing from that space gives us the opportunity to focus on things that are of highest leverage towards what matters most. In that space we find possibilities.

Give yourself the space to figure what is the best you can do and only you can do considering the current constraints of your reality?

One of the most effective techniques is daily mindfulness practices. Focusing on the breath allows us to come back to the present moment and discern what is most important right now.

The answer is often not outside but within. Just needs uncovering..