What’s your breaking point?

This afternoon I received the kind of email that makes you want to scream. It was in response to an important application. They informed me that my application will need to be resubmitted.

Recently, I had to resubmit a planning application for un urgent home upgrade multiple times. This back and forth delayed the project by months. It also consumed many hours of my precious time and energy.

My girlfriend and I are currently in the process of moving home. That comes with a never-ending list of projects, things to do, people to negotiate with, and invoices to pay.

Last week I experienced horrific tooth pain. A visit to the dentist told me I needed a crown. I’ll soon be pain free (hopefully), although £1k poorer.

My business demands that I create exciting new programs. Each new idea requires website copy to be written, material to be created, and proposals to be made.

I work with amazing clients who require my support. They each have their own complex web of challenges to work through on any given day.

I’m currently writing a book. The first draft is almost complete. Soon I’ll need to read it from start to finish, create the second draft, and enrol some trusted friends to read it and provide feedback.

I write a newsletter twice a month that can take me a few days to complete.

I have an aging mother still grieving the loss of my father who relies on my support.

My life is full, exciting, exhilarating, but also massively complex.

I also know that my life is not that much different from yours.

At times, the responsibility you have to get everything done can feel overwhelming.

A quality problem

There is a direct correlation between the bigger I dream, and the complexity of my problems.

A number of years ago when I was working in Florida, a friend of mine shared a conversation she had with a colleague. They were working out their business plan for the year, when he said to my friend, “We need to have a good year because I have a new kitchen to pay for.”

My friend joked back to him, “That sounds like a white person problem. I need to have a good year so my family can eat.”

Our problems are relative.

The more success you have, the more likely you are to be faced with ‘a quality problem’.

That’s the kind of problem that leads others to say, “I wish I had your problem.”

That’s unlikely to make you feel any less concerned. The reality is that the person who is telling you this has no idea how much stress you’re under to solve your problem.

Their ‘problem envy’ doesn’t make you feel special or more accomplished. You still have a problem to solve.

Access Your Power

If you’re like me, you have a long list of things to get done right now.

There’s a good chance some of them are playing on your mind, and possibly keeping you awake at night.

Whenever I feel myself feeling overwhelmed, or disempowered, I go into BEAST mode.

No, it’s not a four-footed mammal reference. It’s a process I go through that instantly moves me from feeling overwhelmed, to feeling empowered.

If you follow these five steps, you will make some of the best decisions you’ve ever made. You’ll also spend more time operating from your Zone of Genius.

1. Breathe

Take several deep breaths. Get yourself away from the challenge until you feel calm. Remind yourself that you are more than capable of resolving whatever challenge you are faced with. This is not too big for you.

2. Elevate

Find the warrior inside of you. Move away from playing the role of the victim. Access your inner wisdom. This is the part of you that makes calm, considered, and brave decisions.

3. Assess

Determine what is really bothering you about the situation you face. Leading with courage, work out an acceptable solution. How would your warrior resolve this challenge?

4. Sleep On It

Whatever solution you decide upon, you will respond less emotionally and more effectively after a good nights sleep. An immediate response is almost guaranteed to lead to some kind of regret.

5. Take Action

The longer you allow a problem to remain unresolved, the more likely you are to feel overwhelmed. If you can’t resolve it immediately, take the first step. Do something that liberates you from the weight of the burden.

It’s difficult to avoid feeling overwhelmed in today’s world.

But it’s not a place you need to linger in. Take control of how you react to the challenges you face.

Pick one challenge you are facing right now and go into BEAST mode. Let me know how you get on.

You’re so much more powerful than you know.

P.S. Do you want to discover the #1 blocker to your true potential? Try the Elite Performance Assessment to find out your unique score in four key disciplines – Mindset, Success, Habits & Leadership.