Do you ever find yourself saying, “I feel overwhelmed” and truly meaning it? You’re not alone. I recently had a conversation with a client who was doing all the right things: setting goals, trying to plan ahead, and putting actions in place. But she was still drowning in overwhelm.
Between rising costs, unpredictable tariffs, economic uncertainty, team challenges, and just the everyday chaos of running a business, she felt stuck. And maybe you’ve been there too – spinning your wheels, checking tasks off a list, and still feeling like you’re getting nowhere.
Here’s what I shared with her – and what I’ve learned myself over the years as both a business owner and a leadership mentor.
Overwhelm Often Comes from Mismanagement
This might be hard to hear, but stay with me: when we feel overwhelmed, it’s often because we’re mismanaging our mind and our time.
And I get it – when someone said that to me years ago, I bristled. “What do you mean I’m mismanaging my time? I’m working nonstop!” But that’s the thing. We can be busy all day long and still not move the needle.
It’s not about working harder. It’s about working with intention.
Are You Reacting or Leading?
A surprising statistic I read recently said that 45% of business leaders spend their time putting out fires. That means almost half our energy goes to reacting to problems instead of building something meaningful.
If we spend our days consumed by headlines, worrying about costs, or scrambling to solve today’s emergencies, we stop leading – and start reacting. And that’s a fast track to burnout and stagnation.
“I Feel Overwhelmed”: Go Back to Your Vision
One of the biggest breakthroughs I had with this client was when we stopped talking about tasks and started talking about vision.
She was setting goals based on her current stressors – like inflation and team struggles – not based on the future she wanted to create.
And that’s the trap.
When you build from current circumstances, you’re constantly trying to survive. But when you build from your vision, you’re working toward something bigger than today’s chaos.
Your vision is your bridge between dreams and action. It’s your internal GPS. When everything else feels noisy and uncertain, your vision is what keeps you grounded.
Awareness Without Obsession
Now, let me be clear: being vision-driven doesn’t mean ignoring reality. I own businesses that face tariffs, supply chain issues, and fluctuating vendor prices. I know the stress is real.
But if we let those stressors drive every decision, we’ll build our business from a place of fear instead of a place of possibility.
We need to stay aware – but not obsessed. We need to acknowledge what’s happening, without letting it define what’s possible.
Lead Yourself First
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself:
- Am I managing my time, or just reacting to what’s loudest?
- Are my goals based on short-term stress or long-term vision?
- Am I making decisions from a place of fear, or from clarity and abundance?
And then, ask yourself one more question: What am I building?
Because now, more than ever, we need to be building. Building our vision. Building our teams. Building new ideas and momentum – not just staying stuck in survival mode.
Empower Your Team
Leadership isn’t just about managing – it’s about empowering.
If you’re constantly putting out fires and your team feels stretched thin, take a step back. Look at your operations. Ask:
- What can be delegated or streamlined?
- How can we optimize instead of just cut back?
- What do we need to stay focused on the bigger picture?
- And most importantly: How can I bring others into this vision with me?
When your team knows the “why” behind your actions, they’re better equipped to innovate and solve problems with you – not just for you.
Let Your Vision Be Louder Than the Chaos
Overwhelm is real. But it doesn’t have to rule you.
Yes, challenges will come. Yes, the economy will shift. Yes, things will feel hard sometimes. But your vision – your clear, compelling future – is what will carry you through.
It’s not about ignoring the chaos. It’s about learning to lead through it with clarity, purpose, and intention.
So the next time you say, “I feel overwhelmed,” take it as a signal – not a sentence. Step back. Reconnect with your vision. And lead from that place instead.
Resources Mentioned
💻 Join me every Friday at 10 am on LinkedIn for my free workshop
☕️ Schedule a Virtual Coffee with Theresa
📝 Uncover Your Biggest Blindspots with the Entrepreneur Quiz
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