When you’re buried in responsibilities, even the smallest task can feel monumental. One of my clients described this feeling perfectly (and I’m paraphrasing here): “It’s like I’m adding more to my list just to manage the list!” Sound familiar?
Overwhelm often stems from a lack of structure, but here’s the catch — traditional methods of creating structure can feel like more work. We often feel compelled to “do more,” yet the tools meant to help us often pile onto the overwhelm.
It’s a paradox many of us face at the start of a new year. January rolls in with all its promises of a fresh start, and suddenly we feel the weight of everything we’re supposed to change.
But what if instead of heeding the call to “do more” we… did less? (Or at least a whole lot less at the outset of the year.)
In my last post, I encouraged readers to focus on clarity by identifying what to stop, start, and keep doing. But here’s the key: you don’t have to figure it all out at once. Real clarity comes in increments, one small habit at a time.
For one of my clients, we found that clarity in an underutilized part of his day: his drive home. I suggested a simple adjustment — before starting the car, pause for five minutes. Use that time to reflect on what didn’t get done today and identify the priority for tomorrow.
This habit was simple, doable, and most importantly, consistent. It didn’t require a new app, calendar, or workflow — just five quiet minutes. Within weeks, not only did my client feel less stressed, but his colleagues noticed, too. That small pause gave him the mental reset he needed to focus, prioritize, and approach his day with intention.
This practice echoes a theme I wrote a few weeks ago, just ahead of the holidays: finding clarity in the chaos. The holiday season is a swirl of activity, but when we pause — whether it’s to take in the glow of twinkling lights, to reflect on the year behind us, or to ponder the year ahead — we create space for what truly matters. That same principle applies here.
Overwhelm doesn’t demand a grand solution. It demands a pause, a breath, a moment of reflection. Whether it’s stopping to assess your priorities, starting a new habit, or keeping what already works, the magic lies in the small, intentional shifts.
And this isn’t just about work. This method can reshape your personal life, your relationships, and even how you approach your own goals. As we move through 2025, consider how you might build your own moments of pause. What small, manageable habit could you introduce to bring clarity to your day?
Trust me: The secret to overcoming overwhelm isn’t a massive overhaul; it’s finding manageable moments within your day to create clarity. Start small. Trust the process. And remember, sometimes the most profound change begins with the simplest of steps.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
