Are you feeling in a state of overwhelm? Do this: quickly jot down what comes to your mind. Go there, grab a pen and paper and write the first issue, or names that come to your mind. Just saying those issues/people, you’ll know, almost in priority, where your stress is coming from. The answers usually are right there in us. It just takes a pen and paper to write down what comes to your mind immediately.

I know it is going to be hard, but you’ll need to know how to take care of yourself. With this exercise you can focus on where and what you need to address. If your health is feeling tired, take some action — maybe a yoga class, getting some fresh air, or taking a drive to the mountains or the beach will help.

Challenge your motives. Are you working to see how you are doing, or are you working to see if the work is going well?

Are you asking the question, “how does my life/my work look to others? Are you doing the work for the passion, or for being recognized? Focusing on doing it for the attention or fame will always cause a tremendous sense of lack.

So how do you make this work for you? Work with people you enjoy and do what you enjoy. Do what is true to your heart. Take actions that are genuine to your passion. As you are on the path to working on your passion, the times of overwhelm will go away.

Are you focused on the competition? If you focus on others, you will always feel less than; and the projects you work on will always feel less than. If it doesn’t work and it’s hard for you, will more opportunity come your way?  And if it does, is it worth the stress? Doing what is true to your own heart is what will be the best.

Are you trying to make it perfect and unique? It seems that every great idea seems to be a remake of something else. Even in music, you may hear a great song and realize someone else wrote it decades ago, but someone current brought it to the top of the charts. To realize that no work is original and that all creativity is inspired by others can actually be a relief.

Some people will doubt you, sometimes quietly, sometimes publicly, but don’t let that stop you from moving forward. The bottom line is that you do not need the critics in your life. They block your creativity. After all, you’re interpreting other’s experiences and weaving them in with your own, which is truly your own creativity.

I know for me if I don’t create, I feel in a funk. If I don’t feel positive people around me, I get in a funk. If I don’t have plans, I feel in a funk. I look forward to things so I can plan, otherwise, I feel rushed. I like the process of looking forward to things — it brings out the creativity in me to dream. Creativity can be in the process of getting ready. The theme of the clothes I’m going to wear, the excitment of the event. It’s not about the event; so much as it is about the process of getting there.

So are you feeling overwhelmed? Then you may ask yourself just a few questions… Are you doing what is true to yourself? Are you worrying about what other people think? Are you measuring your success to the success of others? And are you trying to live your life perfectly? I’m thinking if you’re true to yourself, your overwhelm with go away.