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Getting Overwhelmed
In this video, we cover a very common problem with motivation, or being able to “do stuff.” We sometimes get overwhelmed by the importance of a task. When something becomes very important (“I NEED to do this” ) - something paradoxical happens, instead of the urgency increasing our motivation, it actually paralyzes us. In this video, we’ll dig into why this happens, and a few tips at how to overcome it.
Neuroscience of Overwhelm
The frontal lobes play a crucial role in planning and executing tasks. As tasks pile up and deadlines approach, motivation naturally increases. However, if the task becomes too large, it can lead to feeling overwhelmed. The frontal lobes govern the ability to plan and execute tasks, and their development varies between individuals (e.g., a 10-year-old vs. a 4-year-old). As the burden on the frontal lobes increases, it can result in a sense of being overwhelmed.
“So essentially what happens is the mess piles up is the burden of our frontal lobes increases more and more and more. And this is where operationalizing comes in.”
- How can I break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps to avoid overwhelming my frontal lobes?
- What strategies can I use to develop my frontal lobe capacity for planning and executing tasks more effectively?
Chunking tasks, Operationalization, Frontal lobe development
Psychological Principle of Overwhelm
People tend to feel more overwhelmed the more they care about something. This is counterintuitive to the belief that caring more about a task should lead to increased motivation. Perfectionism and the desire for things to be done properly can contribute to feelings of paralysis and difficulty getting started. The more one cares about a task, the harder it is to compromise, leading to a higher likelihood of wanting it to be perfect.
“The more we care about something, the more properly it needs to be done, the more properly it needs to be done. The less likely we are to actually compromise and the more likely we want it to be perfect. And if we’re not able to compromise on it, we can’t really get started, right?”
- How can I find a balance between caring about a task and avoiding perfectionism that leads to paralysis?
- What strategies can I employ to overcome the fear of compromising when starting a task that I deeply care about?
Perfectionism, Fear of compromise, Importance-paralysis paradox
Overcoming Overwhelm
To overcome feelings of overwhelm, it’s essential to acknowledge the importance of the task while finding ways to get started. One approach is to appease the perfectionistic part of the mind by finding a middle ground, such as drafting an email without sending it or writing a letter to express feelings without the commitment to deliver it. This allows for getting started without the pressure of completing the task perfectly.
“So that kind of middle ground is sort of interesting because it sort of forces you into a compromise or it allows you a compromise without sort of signing you up for completing the task.”
- How can I create a safe space for myself to start a task without the pressure of perfection?
- What other strategies can I use to appease my perfectionistic tendencies while still making progress on important tasks?
Drafting without commitment, Detachment techniques, Vairagya, Meditation for overwhelm
Getting Started is Key
When feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed by a task, the most crucial step is getting started. Making the task easier and developing some degree of detachment can help overcome the motivational block. Chunking the task into smaller, manageable steps and using techniques like operationalization can make it less daunting for the frontal lobes to plan and execute. Finding a middle ground that allows for getting started without committing to a perfect outcome can be an effective way to overcome paralysis.
“And the cool thing about that is that most people actually say that the hardest part of a task is getting started. And when we feel overwhelmed and we feel that task paralysis, we don’t know where to start. So the key thing is not going the whole distance, but actually getting started.”
- What small, manageable step can I take right now to get started on a task that feels overwhelming?
- How can I reframe my mindset to focus on the importance of getting started rather than achieving perfection?
Chunking tasks, Operationalization, Detachment techniques, Progress over perfection
List All the Things that Are Overwhelming You and why You can’t Let Them Go. Then Rank the Items according to how Important They Are to You.
| Overwhelming Item | What Makes This Overwhelming | Ranking |
|---|---|---|