3 Easy Steps to Overcoming Overwhelm
by Vanessa Wesley
first published on Dec 3, 2007
A few weeks ago I spoke to a radio producer who has her own radio show. She told me that if she knew two years ago all that would be involved in launching her program and keeping it on the air she would have never begun!
Can you relate? How often have you had this brilliant idea for something, perhaps a business to start, or a product to create, or a service to provide only to be filled with dread when you “think” about all you will need to do to get the idea launched. Have you ever stopped yourself dead in your tracks as you contemplated the money you might spend, or the training you would need? Has your idea of what you would need to do to get started actually kept you from getting started? Are you laughing as you read this because it sounds so familiar?
I can say, in all honesty, had I known all that would be involved just from the simple idea of writing a book I would not have done it! My “mind” would have shut me down. The thoughts telling me all I didn’t know about writing a book, or have experience in, would have halted any movement toward my goal. This is the beauty of the Whisper. I didn’t get the “whole plan” or the “whole picture”. I received just what was necessary at that time, in that moment. Inspiration filled me with the very strong desire AND energy to write a book—nothing more, and I was told what to do next to get started. And that’s how it works. The Whisper, through the sensations of energy and desire, guides you to the next step on your path. It’s like being part of a grand unfolding.
Unfolding the life of your dreams is doing only what is energizing and fulfilling to do right now! Not six months from now, not six days from now, not even six minutes from now. Now! Whenever you think about what “has to get done in the future” you will very likely get thrown into overwhelm. Overwhelm is the state of mind that believes there is too much to do, and you are incapable of getting it all done. Overwhelm is anxiety about the future and this is why it is so paralyzing; the future is not known, and thoughts about the future cannot be “truth”. Truth is what is, not what could be. Thoughts about the future are simply thoughts that we can believe, or not, about what will happen, or not. That’s it.
Here’s how we get overwhelmed:
First we think about something we’d like to do. This is not spontaneous desire or inspiration. It is you thinking up a desire.
Then we think about how we could get done what we would like to do.
Then we think about what we are able to do and what we are not able to do.
Then we think about all the things we are not good at, or have experience in, or how much time we don’t have.
Then we try to find alternatives and think about other things we could do to get done what we’d like to do.
And then….
Overwhelm is a cycle of thinking. The mind attempts to figure out how it is going to actualize the idea you have, what needs to get done, how long it should take, whether in your experience you are capable or credentialed enough, and ultimately, you come up short. Boy, oh boy, do I know overwhelm. Do you?
For me it’s been a whole year of going in and out of overwhelm. You see, recognizing, trusting and following the Whisper doesn’t mean you won’t have occasional worrisome thoughts, or that your old habits won’t pop up. But, it can mean that you easily recognize what is happening—recognize those fearful thoughts and habits— and begin to unwind the old tapes of overwhelm. So you might go into overwhelm, but you can come right back out.
Here are a few easy-to-do tips on how to overcome the paralyzing feeling of overwhelm:
Recognize the energy of inspiration. Is the idea you have an inspired one? Does it arise within you spontaneously and fill you with high levels of energy? Do you also have ideas on how to get started, what to do next? Inspiration arises from within, usually spontaneously or suddenly filling you with bountiful energy and momentum. This momentum is given to help you overcome what may in your mind be a daunting task.
For example, when I was inspired to write a book I felt so energized and so alive! I couldn’t wait to get started and immediately moved on the energy to travel to Dallas to spend time with LaRue. The energy continued, even while I typed up close to 400 pages of transcripts!! However, if I had the “thought” first, “I’ll have to type up 400 pages of transcripts!” I would have never done it; it would have seemed too daunting. The task of typing didn’t come until it was time to do it, and WITH THE TASK the energy of inspiration also comes. This is a very important key point to get. The task comes with the energy and desire to do it!
Move immediately on the energy. This is where many of us often fall down. The rush of energy shows up, along with a brilliant idea, and somewhere along the way thoughts may also show up that tell you that it can’t possibly get done, so we don’t ever get started. Don’t believe the thoughts, believe the energy. It is the energy, which accompanies the six distinct ways, that is the Whisper. Of course you can’t do it… YET! Your inspired idea, your brilliant vision hasn’t been created yet. Remember that. So rather than think through how to do something, or analyze the steps, just MOVE. Use the energy to propel you forward and do what you are energized to do.
Become familiar with all of the six distinct ways and resolve to follow those true sensations. Each of the six distinct experiences of Snapshot Click, Collapsed Time, Urge, Wonderment, Knowing, and Inspiration has already guided you in your life. Get comfortable finding those experiences and make them your friends. That way you will know and recognize exactly what to do next in spite of the limiting thoughts that will show up.
I want to leave you with an example of how following energy leads you even when your mind won’t be able to figure it out. Several weeks ago LaRue and I told you how we followed the inspiration to launch our own radio program. We did everything we were moved to do; take a class, set up an online site, and develop a format. Then almost as suddenly as the inspiration arrived, it left. For a little while we were baffled, but we’ve learned over many years to trust our messages. So we stopped, right there mid-stream, and put our attention on the other aspects of the business energizing us. Well, a couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call from the radio producer mentioned in the beginning of this article. Her name is Lisa Marie, and she runs Metro Chick radio (www.metrochickradio.com ) in the Detroit area. She had heard about our attempts to develop our own show and requested we consider launching a program on her station!
So dear readers, stay tuned. Literally! On Wednesday, January 23rd “The Whisper” will have its first radio show! The energy is back, and tons of ideas are pouring in. This is the secret of the Whisper. Because we had prepared to put on our own radio show we are now prepared for this new and more exciting opportunity. In closing, please reread the 3 main tips above and resolve to follow the energy of your Whisper in 2008. It is the only resolution you need!
