My work often deals with proactive, preventive means to Overcome Overwhelm & Achieve Your Desired Results. During our transitions, overwhelm can still come up from time to time, so we need to have the tools to stop stress and overwhelm quickly when it does arise.

The key to halting stress and overwhelm in its tracks is to initiate a positive action as soon as possible. Often if we focus only on what's going on in our heads without acting, we can end up encouraging overwhelm to grow. Here are some ways I have found successful - sometimes on their own, and sometimes all five stacked together.

Five Steps to Stopping Stress and Overwhelm Quickly!

1. Watch the self-talk.

Sometimes you may need to say to yourself, "this is only temporary" and focus on the task at hand.

2. Write down what is overwhelming you in a short succinct statement(s).

Do this quickly - don't spend a lot of time on it. This step is designed to clear your mind of the overwhelm topic because the situation is now written down and you can review it later.

3. Do something physical that is positive for you.

For instance, go for a power walk or take a refreshing shower. If you are hungry, eat some small, healthy choice, such as a piece of fruit or cheese. This step may help you distance yourself from the emotional charge of the overwhelm situation.

4. Have a drink of clear water.

Make sure you're hydrated.

5. Decide how to deal with the topic that overwhelmed you.

Do this by writing in a journal or talking it out with a trusted friend or coach. Often the overwhelm situation has to do with what you are going to do next - so write down all your main options. This will take everything from your head and put it into a logical, visual, objective list. To decide which item to address first, perhaps the following will help:

?If you are tired, pick one that doesn't require a lot of brain power, or have a short nap to refresh yourself.

?Pick one that will provide quick results and raise your self-confidence.

?Decide what would benefit you the most and make this item a priority. Which item will best help you to move towards your goals?

?Determine which items on the list can be left or delayed.

Spend a very short period of time on this (less than 15 minutes) to avoid belaboring the topic so much that you end up back in overwhelm. If it's difficult to make a choice, the following works well with me, "Pick one, ANY one, Get it done" and then move on to the next. Often all of the options need to get done in a short period of time and results for ANY of them are highly desirable.

Copyright 2004 Donna P. Lendzyk

Donna P. Lendzyk is a professional coach and creator of the Overcome Overwhelm System. She coaches businesswomen to "Overcome Overwhelm and Achieve Their Desired Results." She is the author of the multi-media "Overcome Overwhelm eProgram." To learn more about her eProgram and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her website at http://www.overcomeoverwhelm.com