If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your workload—whether it’s emails stacking up, colleagues constantly interrupting, or just the never-ending to-do list—you’re not alone. The cycle of overwhelm is real, and it can feel impossible to escape. But what if you could shift from simply “doing” to actually getting things done?
That’s exactly what we’re going to tackle today. In Episode 79 of my podcast, I cover different time management strategies like the Eisenhower Matrix and Eat That Frog. These tools help you organise your time and feel more in control. But today, I want to go beyond time management itself and talk about how to change your mindset so you can finally take control of your workload and stop feeling like you're drowning.
Why Overwhelm Isn’t Just About Time Management
Overwhelm isn’t just about having too much to do. It’s often about how we approach the work we have. The way you think about your tasks - whether you see them as an endless burden or as manageable steps—plays a huge role in how you experience your workload.
Think about it: You’ve probably looked at a massive project plan, a detailed spreadsheet, or a never-ending inbox and felt instant dread. It’s like dumping out a 5,000-piece puzzle on the floor and wondering, Where do I even start? The problem isn’t just the volume of work - it’s how we approach it.
Shift from “Doing” to “Output”
One of the biggest mindset shifts you can make is moving from a doing mindset to an output mindset. Many people spend their days staying busy instead of actually making progress. They maintain things, refine things, perfect things—but don’t complete them.
This is especially tough for perfectionists (I see you!). If you obsess over every detail, you’ll spend way too much time getting things “just right” instead of moving forward. And here’s the truth: No one cares if there’s a tiny typo in your email. What matters is getting the work done.
So, how do we shift from being busy to being productive? Let’s break it down.
6 Ways to Finally Take Control of Your Workload
1. Fall in Love with Finishing
Start focusing on completing tasks rather than just working on them. There’s an incredible sense of satisfaction in checking things off your list. Make it a game - challenge yourself to finish something in a set amount of time. The more you finish, the more momentum you build.
2. Reward Yourself for Completing Tasks
Give yourself a reason to finish. It doesn’t have to be huge - maybe a cup of coffee after completing a report, or a five-minute social media break. The key is to create an incentive system that makes finishing feel more rewarding than just working on something.
3. Gamify Your Work
Make your tasks fun. Set mini-challenges for yourself. Can you complete 10 emails in 15 minutes? Can you write a proposal draft before lunch? The more you find ways to compete with yourself, the more engaged you’ll be.
4. Know Your Productivity Peak
Identify your most productive time of day and schedule your hardest work during that window. If you’re a morning person, tackle deep-focus tasks early. If you work best in the afternoon, save critical work for then. Work with your natural energy levels, not against them.
5. Reverse Engineer Your Day
At the start of each day, ask yourself: What are the top three things I need to accomplish today? Writing them down helps focus your brain. Your subconscious will work to make sure those tasks get done. Once you complete them, pick another three.
6. Beware the Inbox Trap
If you’re always in reactive mode—answering emails, responding to Slack messages - you’ll never get focused work done. Turn off notifications, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, and carve out uninterrupted time for deep work. Emails can wait.
Stop Managing and Start Completing
Overwhelm happens when you feel like you’re spinning your wheels but not making real progress. The key isn’t just managing your time - it’s shifting how you think about work. Start focusing on output, not just effort. Make finishing tasks a priority. Challenge yourself to complete things faster. Create small rewards to keep yourself motivated.
Most importantly, don’t let perfectionism slow you down. Done is better than perfect. The sooner you start embracing this mindset shift, the sooner you’ll finally feel in control of your workload.
Want more strategies? Go back and listen to Episode 79 of my podcast for a deep dive into time management methods that can help you get unstuck.
Now, go tackle your list—and start finishing!
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