Letting Go Amidst Chaos
I am addicted to lists. I’ve sung its praises incessantly on my blog here. Lists, as you know, help to…
- Stay focused on the task
- Remember what you need to do and when
- Be more productive
- Stay motivated
- Reduce your stress levels
As usual, my To-Do list for today is as long as my arm. I am panicking and stressed out as I look at it from time to time. Ideally, it should calm me and give me a feeling that I am in control. But that’s not happening.
Actually, I have an important assignment with a short deadline to chase and I am just not able to start my work on it. The more I am thinking about it, the more hassled is my state of mind.
I pondered a bit on my chaotic situation and realized that it is not the work that is causing me stress. Though the task at hand is challenging but I know I can do it. It’s not the deadline that is giving me panic attacks, because that’s just a time constraint and I was aware of it when I took up the assignment. So, what’s actually stressing me?
Well, it’s the fear in my head. Fear that I’d mess it up or that it might not get approved or that I’d look inefficient or incompetent! And all this is because I want the assignment to be perfect in every way.
What if I just focus on my work and let go of these fears. While the work I do is totally in my control, I don’t have any control on the outcomes. So, letting go of the fears that stop me working on the task is the key. Easier said than done, I know. But realizing it and working on it should bring in the peace in this chaotic state of mind.
As I allay the fears in my head and work on my assignment, you have a great week ahead!
What is your recipe for getting the work done without fears messing up your head?
November 24, 2015 10:13 pm|
I tend to get overwhelmed rather easily. Like this NaNo thing. So I break jobs down into smaller components. Instead of worrying that I need to write 1700 words a day, when I sit at the computer, I tell myself I will write 500 or 200. That gets me going and most of the time I go on for far more than that smaller goal.
Great post, Shilpa. I enjoyed reading it and felt encouraged!
November 25, 2015 1:18 am|
Oh, that’s a great startegy you are following for NaNo. Breaking your words goal a day into simpler easier to achieve goals spread over the day will help you to achieve it faster! Was not aware that you are participating in NaNo. Good luck for it, LuAnn, though it’s coming to an end now. Thanks a lot, dear friend. Glad it inspired you ♥
November 24, 2015 10:16 pm|
Good advice there, Shilpa. 🙂 I’m always striving for perfection as well and it does slow me down, more often than not. The ideal motto would be “Just Do It”. Good luck with your project!
November 25, 2015 1:23 am|
Oh yes, perfection is the mantra for most of us but it attained by slow degrees; it requires the hand of time! Agree, in certain situations, we should let go of it and just get the work done!Thanks a lot, Debbie.♥
November 24, 2015 10:48 pm|
I know the feeling Shilpa, so don’t think you are alone in this! Having said that, of late, I have been trying to combine a few easy ones with those one or two crucial/dreaded (read difficult) tasks that need to be done. Fortunately, this method is working and I’m glad to tick them off from the list on most days. You’re bang on about getting the focus right – the fear usually plays out before one has started on them. Inspiring read by the way!
November 25, 2015 1:24 am|
Aha! That’s a cool strategy! The joy of seeing the ticks against the tasks (easy) done gives the push to complete the difficult tasks too. Thanks a lot, Esha, glad you liked this post 🙂
November 24, 2015 10:57 pm|
I have been in your shoes hardly a couple of hours back so I know exactly what’s going on in your mind.
In my case, the minute I start the assigned work, my fears are at rest. So it is just a matter of getting started.
All the best for your assignment & hope you have a great time ahead 🙂
November 25, 2015 1:26 am|
Aha! You shared a perfect example of mind over matter! Thanks a lot, ME and good to see you here! How have you been doing? Long time! 🙂
November 25, 2015 7:54 pm|
True, this year I have blogged the least of all the years that I have been blogging and missed out on reading the blogs I have always enjoyed reading.
Not any longer.Now you’ll see me around often 😀
We’re doing well Shilpa, hope all going great at your end too 🙂
November 25, 2015 10:19 am|
Shipa, your strategies are very logical.Personally I have iearnt a lot from you.
November 25, 2015 12:00 pm|
I am not aware of such fears. If I write a book, for example, the reader is the one who should fear, not the author 😛
Destination Infinity
November 25, 2015 1:53 pm|
I enjoyed this post thanks Shilpa and the comments! I’m glad I’m not alone in sometimes feeling overwhelmed 🙂 That to do list is essential, and what a pleasure to tick off. One thing that does get me going is to tidy my desk. You cannot believe how disorganised it gets, looking as if a bomb has hit it.
November 25, 2015 2:26 pm|
Have been through such situations Shilpa. When a mammoth task is in front me, I just pray to god to help me finish/sail through the project and before I start my work, i compartmentalise my task . I compliment myself after i finish a section of the work and it is not long before i finish the work to my satisfaction. Ofcourse, i put in my best and leave the rest to God. Recently, i completed a very tough one.
Loved your strategy also, trust me you will do well and come out a winner in this project. Just trust yourself and fall headlong…. Good luck
November 25, 2015 4:41 pm|
Nice one! A short to-do list helps:)
November 25, 2015 8:13 pm|
Ah! The fears! I too have a long list of to-dos and much of it remains undone because I overthink and worry myself without reason. At times, disengaging myself, doing routine household work helps…
November 25, 2015 8:41 pm|
I do have the fear and get hyper, at times, when it comes to deadlines. Sometimes, stress pushes me further but then, not every time it works out the way it should. But, I can write well when I am composed.
November 25, 2015 8:48 pm|
Nice to come back here again shilpa, and yes I go with the “to do list” and I keep ticking away encouraging myself to see how far I have come feeling grateful, that makes me relax; and yes sometimes the list looks long; and gives a fear that I have not done much, meeting dead lines can cause a lot of stress, I just do whatever is in my control and leave the rest… taking a deep breath and affirming myself that all will be well and fine. Thanks for sharing !
November 26, 2015 12:06 am|
You know I am very infamous for my long to-do lists, but these days I have altered that a little. I have an exhaustive to-do list, but only pick 1-2 tasks to focus on (based on priority) on any given day. That has made my life much easier.
Good luck with your assignment. 🙂
November 26, 2015 12:34 pm|
You have the answers with you. It’s the work that matters to begin with and unless we start we don’t know how awesome it will turn out to be. So, relax and just get going 🙂 Good luck!
November 26, 2015 4:11 pm|
‘Fear’, so apt! It’s one thing which attacks minds and hearts of so many people and stop them from achieving their dreams or even from thinking big. As you stated, it’s important to focus more on efforts rather than on outcome. 😛
November 26, 2015 9:31 pm|
I am a list-list person too it makes things easy and interesting for me 😛 And yes realising what is wrong in your case fear does make it easy to understand further..
November 27, 2015 11:20 am|
I love making lists too! And usually I start with the easiest tasks so that I can get some confidence.
Btw I changed my blog url. The new url is linked to this comment.
November 28, 2015 3:03 am|
Good strategies, dear Shilpa:-) I know the fear in my head too – and am a sucker for LISTS – in all forms and sizes…. but sometimes the best is just – to let go, to do what you feel like doing …. One life:-) Great post sweetie
March 20, 2017 12:28 pm|
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January 2, 2019 5:59 pm|
nice information..Thank you
January 4, 2019 6:13 pm|
Hii, your strategies are very logical. This is very useful information for me.
February 28, 2020 9:58 am|
Oh Shilpa we are so much alike! We both love love love lists and both have that anxiety that comes along with that fear! I have learned over the years to try and keep my lists to a minimum because if I have 10 things to do all in one day I feel defeated if I don’t accomplish all 10. So, buy just listing down 3-5 things it’s not as daunting.
February 28, 2020 11:00 am|
I can understand this feeling. The fear of not doing the assignment properly actually delays me further. I too am a big listomaniac. Got lists after lists based on subject and priority. And I love ticking them off.
February 28, 2020 12:05 pm|
My method is…. you guessed it….make a list. I have an ongoing master list and I pick just three priorities at the beginning of the day. I find that focusing on them and accomplishing them makes it easier to move on to the other things. And in the process, some things even drop off the list as they become irrelevant after a time.
March 1, 2020 1:23 pm|
Some great advice, I love lists and each morning I will write a to do list, but you can guarantee some thing will be missed off and for some reason that is the thing I will focus on, not the fact that I have ticked off so many. Sometimes we are too hard on our selves. At this point I tend to sit on the terrace and take a break, nature is great