The last word on…
Ask anybody how they’re doing these days and the most likely response you’ll get is, ‘Oh, you know…busy!’ Partly, it’s a boast, because we’ve come to think of it as a sign of our importance. Yet, there’s nothing pleasant about feeling overwhelmed, and there’s evidence to show that we’re not actually busier than previous generations; we just feel busier. This is good news, because it’s a sign that the problem is psychological, which means the answer may be psychological, too. So, it’s possible to escape the sense of overwhelm, even in the midst of a full-on life.
Try work-life imbalance. ‘Work-life balance’ sounds relaxing, but pursuing it can end up feeling more stressful. As personal development author Brad Stulberg points out, there are many times in life – welcoming a newborn, launching a business – when it’s best to stop trying to invest your energies equally. You’ll probably perform better in your roles as colleague or parent, if you focus on one or two of them for months at a time.