2 - Paint in your head

Tom, my very wise watercolor instructor, suggests I put a painting I'm working on somewhere I'll often pass by it ... and just think about how I'd continue painting it. No brushes, no water. Just looking ... appreciating ... planning ... imagining. “Just paint in your head,” he said with a smile.

I was a little skeptical (sorry, Tom) ... but it worked. Not only did I find creative solutions for my paintings, I found that when I picked up my brushes again, I was much faster and more efficient than I could possibly have been before.

Is this procrastinating? If so, I'll be doing more of it - and suggest you do, too. Every now and then, step back and make sure project you're working on still makes sense to you ... and that you're creating it way you like. ‘Paint in your head' for as long as it takes. Then, when it feels right, go full steam ahead.

3 - Do something. Anything!

Ever have a goal that was so challenging you were overwhelmed by it? Didn't even know where to start? Maybe felt a little ... uh ... procrastination setting in?

Put your attention on anything you can do that supports your goal, and do it - immediately. Find something else you can do - and do it. Again. And again. Just keep taking tiny steps. Do whatever you can do, whenever and however you can do it. You'll not only move from procrastination into action, you'll eventually reach your goal. After all, isn't that what it's all about?

Best-selling author and coach Kathy Gulrich helps clients get from 'idea' to 'action' to 'results' more quickly, and more easily - whether they're looking to write a book, develop a new product, or market their product or business.

If there are more than three things I really want to work on, I choose three to start - and tuck rest away in my "idea box."

Two benefits from this one.

First, I can avoid overwhelm by limiting number of projects I'm working on at any one time.

Even better, I always have something to look forward to. And that's a great incentive for me to finish my active projects!

3 - Prioritize

Hey, I know, I know. When you're overwhelmed, prioritizing your projects may seem next to impossible.

So I'm not suggesting that you work out your priority list for next several months - or even then next couple of days.

Keep it simple.

Just decide which project you're going to tackle first. You don't have to actually do anything. Just decide what you'll do first.

You'll be totally amazed at how much energy that'll free up for you!

4 - Toss something off your list

Which projects can go?

Someone once suggested a rule to me that's worked pretty well, so I'll share:

Every project you work on should have at least three benefits to you or your business.

For example, this newsletter helps me build smART artist community, and it gives me opportunity to write regularly (I love to write, so that's a personal benefit).

It's a great way to share information with fellow artists.

And newsletter also provides a forum for announcing whatever new stuff I'm working on.

So those are my three (okay, four...) benefits.

Next time you're overwhelmed, look at projects on your list. Which will benefit you in at least three ways? They're keepers.

And projects that don't have three benefits? Toss 'em!

Once you're out of overwhelm, come back to projects you put aside, and see if you're perfectly happy without them - or if you'd like to tweak them so they do have three benefits for you.

5 - Come back from future

Ever notice how overwhelm is usually all about future?

What you'll do after...

What'll happen when...

How you'll feel if you can't...

How horrible it'll be if you don't...

How soon they'll find out that you...

Stop, stop, STOP!

Take a deep breath, and get a feel for where you are now.

Where are you sitting? What's around you? Are there any particular sensations in your body? Are you warm, or cool? Can you see outside? Are you alone? With others?

Notice what's going on right now. In this moment.

And from this space, think of projects you'd like to work on. (Chances are they'll be a lot less scary, and not at all overwhelming.)

Where would you like to start?

From "now," you can go absolutely anywhere you like!

Best-selling author and coach Kathy Gulrich helps clients get from 'idea' to 'action' to 'results' more quickly, and more easily - whether they're looking to write a book, develop a new product, or market their product or business.