Stress Center Peer Support

Hello everybody i was just wondering does anybody feel this way i feel like im going around in cirles an dont get anything done i mean i get some things done but when i wake up i have a milloin thing on my mind that i want to do but jump around and never get every thing done does anybody do this an is there any suggestion to fixing this problem

Hey Tom,

What you describe is simply one of the symptoms of anxiety. I was going through what you describe a few weeks ago, but I'm finding that listening to the relaxation CD twice a day is starting to help with my generalized anxiety. I'm able to think more clearly and devote myself to one task at a time. It's going to take time, patience, and A LOT OF SELF-COMPASSION, but you'll get through this. Remember, you have a family on this board . Take care and good luck!

Scott

Wow do I ever know where you're coming from. I am the queen of the 'going in circles with too much to do' problem, I especially was back in college. What helped me was that I would make the time, it only takes 5-10 minutes to make a to-do list. Sounds too simple I know. I would write down any and everything I felt like I HAD to get done. Sometimes the list is still like two or three pages. But then I would look at the things I could feasibly get done that day, and then what I could get done tomorrow, and then what had to be completed by the end of the week. Whatever else didn't fit into that week, I would put on an "Incomplete List". This incomplete list was, and still is, there for me when I have time to get to it. Of course, I do update the list so of current things and bring things from the incomplete list onto it so things get done.
Then all I have to do is remember that I have a list. Just keep track of the list. It puts your task on paper in front of your eyes. Not worrying you and floating around in your head so you can't sleep or feel confused with worry and thoughts when you wake up. It's interesting, my fiance can seen me doing the same thing with worry that you're doing, and he always says "you can't take on the whole world in one day"- it's such simple advice but it's so true.
So, decide what's really important to get done, then the rest can go on that incomplete list for a time when things aren't so busy ( like organizing your closet, or cleaning out the car or something). Then you can focus on the day to day like meetings, or homework or something. Anyway, I'm long winded but I hope this helps.

I think this is common to many with anxiety. Many days (weekends are the worst) I would wake up with a million things on my to do list, and hit the ground running. I felt time was ticking and if I didn't get so many things done by 9 a.m. well there was no way I could get through the list.

Two things that have really helped me. One, Lucinda says on one of the tapes to "under-schedule" the day. Pick the one or two things that ABSOLUTELY have to get done. And even though I REALLY want to wash my storm windows because they are super dirty and I love to see the beautiful trees clearly -- this is NOT essential! She says to under-plan your day, and then you can always add a thing or two if you are ahead. But when we over-schedule, we set ourselves up for feeling stressed, anxious, behind, and inadequate.

The other thing that helps me when I start to feel rushed and revved up is a little mantra I wrote. I catch myself feeling like I have all this to do and I have to rush or it won't get done, and I will read it several times that day: "I can relax as I take care of my responsibilities. There is no real urgency. I find it easy to prioritize. I am organized, and I can take it one thing at a time. I am not distracted. I can relax as I focus on the issue at hand."

It takes practice to ignore the "other" things I have to do while focusing on only one thing, but it does get easier. Hope this helps.
formerly SleeplessMom

THANK YOU ALL for your input the list thing helps alot just sometime when i get up im already having racing thoughts of what i need an want to get done but i no it does help just need to rite them downbefore i go to bed an i no that this part of the anxiety im on seccion two starting today so hope it gets better dont like to say this to soon but i do feel better so far i have been through this before so we will see thank you all again an as for cleaning the windows it is nice to look out an see the beutiful nature out side thanks again

i understand where you are coming from Tomd,I wake up with a million things on my mind and how to do them and i go through the same thing eventually getting nothing done.iam in the online program hoping for a change

I do exactly the same thing! I make a list before I go to bed, of reasonal size, of the activities I need or want to accomplish the next day. Then I look at it in the morning and get started. When I have time, I mark off the tasks I have accomplished. If I accomplish activities not on my list, I add those to the bottom. You'll start feeling better when you see your accomplishments.
My saying is, Do you fail to plan, or do you plan to fail?
Martisue

I have the same problem. I have so many things to do, but I don't do them. I feel so bad because my procrastination or lack of willpower affects my students as well.
I will definitely try the to do list.