You Can’t Boil the Ocean
Hello! I hope you are all good?
I was working with one of my clients last week and we were tackling the issue of a rather full ‘inbox’. 1,376 emails to be precise! We discussed at length the series of events or working practices that had led to this overwhelming number and his overriding response was ‘It just gets bigger every day and each time I try to tackle it, I just get overwhelmed and give up’.
This response is SO common (especially with email inboxes!) ; when your goal feels too big, it can be overwhelming and intimidating….a bit like it would be trying to boil the ocean- or another proverb I love – ‘eating the elephant in one bite’. However, as I explained to him- they are solvable- you just need to learn to deal with it.
Here are some common reactions and steps to take when your goal feels too big:
Anxiety and Stress: Feeling overwhelmed by a big goal can lead to anxiety and stress. You might worry about failing or not knowing where to start. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and understand that they are a normal part of the process.
Break It Down: One of the most effective strategies is to break your big goal into smaller, more manageable steps. This process is called “chunking.” By breaking it down into smaller tasks, you can create a clear roadmap for yourself, making the goal feel less overwhelming.
Set Milestones: Set intermediate milestones or checkpoints along the way. Achieving these smaller goals can provide a sense of accomplishment and keep you motivated as you work toward your larger objective. I always advocate rewarding yourself for reaching these smaller milestones as well as reaching the big milestone.
Prioritize: Identify the most critical tasks or steps that need to be completed first. Focus on these priorities to make steady progress and build confidence.
Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help or seek support from friends, family, mentors, or colleagues. Sharing your goal and your challenges with others can provide valuable insights, encouragement, and accountability.
Stay Flexible: Understand that the path to achieving a big goal may not always be linear. Be willing to adapt and adjust your plan as needed. Sometimes, unexpected opportunities or obstacles can change your trajectory.
Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Understand that it’s normal to face setbacks and challenges along the way. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer to a friend in a similar situation.
Visualization: Visualize your success. Regularly remind yourself why you set this big goal and what achieving it will mean for you. Visualization can help you stay motivated and focused.
Time Management: Develop effective time management skills. Allocate dedicated time to work on your goal each day or week, and be consistent in your efforts.
Stay Patient: Understand that significant goals often take time to achieve. Be patient with yourself and stay committed to the process.
Remember that many great achievements start with individuals who felt overwhelmed at the beginning. The key is to take that initial step, break your goal into manageable pieces, and persistently work toward it. Over time, your confidence and competence will grow, making your once seemingly insurmountable goal more achievable.
If this has struck a chord with you and would like to talk to me to find out more and discuss what you are currently struggling with, then I offer free 15 minute sessions to chat it through. Here is a link to book your slot.
Or you feel you or the company you work for would like more information about the services I offer; whether its for personality profiling, coaching, training or team support- do get in touch.
