048: Fight Overwhelm: How To Narrow In On Your Ideas | Tanya Dalton Skip to the content
December 12, 2017   |   Episode #:

048: Fight Overwhelm: How To Narrow In On Your Ideas

In This Episode:

Today, I’m talking about the reasons why we allow ourselves to feel overwhelmed by our ideas, and how that can keep us from working toward our goals. I’ll share solutions for your overwhelm and tips for narrowing in on your ideas. We’ll discuss the importance of being a beginner and how to embrace the whitespace in life so you can actually work more effectively.

Show Transcript:

The Big Idea

Version one is better than version none.

Questions I Answer

  • How can I stop feeling so overwhelmed?
  • Why do I have a hard time getting started with my goals?
  • How do I start when I don’t know what I’m doing?
  • How do I achieve my goals?

Actions to Take

Key Topics in the Show

  • How to stop your feelings of overwhelm and push through barriers that are holding you back.

  • The top six reasons why we allow ourselves to feel overwhelmed with our ideas.

  • Solutions for overwhelm and how to narrow in on your ideas and tasks so you can accomplish your goal.

  • Why being a beginner is a good thing that you can use to your advantage.

  • Ways to embrace the silence and whitespace in your life that will allow you to work more effectively.

Resources and Links

  • Top Reasons You Feel Overwhelmed:
    • Your idea doesn’t feel complete. It’s a glimmer or spark, so it feels hard to explain to people because you worry your ideas might not turn into anything. Realize that all ideas start with a tiny spark. You have to nurture that spark in order for that fire to grow. Communicate your thoughts to others and get feedback. Put on your 2-year-old thinking cap and start asking yourself ‘why?’ Even if you ‘fail’ that just means you may need to tweak your idea.
    • Your idea feels too hard. In the midst of accomplishing challenging tasks on our way to our big goals and dreams, it feels difficult. Understand that once you complete small mini goals, you’ll be motivated and much closer towards achieving your overall goals. Version 1 is better than Version none.
    • You’re too focused on others’ ideas. By looking around at others, you’ll begin to feel paralyzed about what you want to do and that all the good ideas may be taken. Know that everything is a remix of ideas that have already been done. Most people are innovators more than inventors. Use things that are on the market as springboards for your own plans and ideas.
    • You’re too busy. We all have 168 hours in our week. Instead of saying, “I’m just too busy” try saying, “It’s not really a priority.” How does that feel? If an idea is truly important to you, you have to treat it as such. Don’t confuse urgent tasks with important. Focusing on your priorities is what separates the busy from the truly productive. Know that you can bank up your time in several ways, such as taking a break from your phone or using an extra hour of child care.
    • You have distractions. Many of these distractions, such as technology, is something that you’re allowing into your space. Recognize what a productive distraction is (like walking the dog and clearing your mind) and what’s not – like checking social media. You’ll be able to generate better ideas and more effective work.
    • You feel like you don’t know what you’re doing. Being a beginner can actually be an advantage – you’re brave, inquisitive and interested. Know that even if you make mistakes, it’s OK, because mistakes make great teachers. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what you don’t know. It will allow you to grow even further.
Show Transcript

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