Managing Overwhelm: Practical Strategies for Feeling in Control When Faced with a Heavy Workload

Abstract

The article explores the common experience of feeling overwhelmed due to heavy workloads, even for the most organized and efficient leaders. It first examines the key causes and consequences of workplace overwhelm, including unrealistic deadlines, competing priorities, lack of control, and insufficient delegation. The article then outlines three proven strategies leaders can use to regain a sense of control: prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance, establishing clear boundaries and learning to say "no," and adopting sustainable productivity habits through strategic scheduling and routines. By leveraging these approaches, leaders can mitigate the factors driving overwhelm and maintain the ability to effectively manage demanding workloads long-term, without succumbing to debilitating stress or poor decision-making. The article provides a practical, research-backed framework to help leaders prevent overwhelm from spiraling out of control.