Feel like you're drowning? Read this.

“I’ll never get it all done.”

“I’ll never finish in time.”

“I have too much to do.”

“I’m drowning.”

Have you ever said any of these?

Me too! But you know what I’ve discovered? They are the opposite of helpful.

You know what we love? Being right.

So if you are going to spend all day saying, “I’ll never finish in time,” guess what? Your subconscious is going to work really hard to make that true (so you can be right).

You’re going to have unexpected challenges come up, you’re going to get sick or feel sluggish, someone is going to need something last-minute… there’s going to be a nonstop parade of problems for you to solve. And even if you do squeak in just under your deadline, it’s going to be supremely painful. SUPREMELY PAINFUL.

Do you like the pain?

Me neither. I just thought I couldn’t get anything done without it. As a self-proclaimed procrastinator, I was convinced I had to have the pain of nearly missing my deadline and too much to do and too much pressure or I wouldn’t get anything done. I thought I was lazy.

Turns out… that’s not true!

Now, I work ahead and it is far less stressful and I get just as much or more done. Probably more because I don’t have all those weird last-minute complications that only seem to happen when you don’t have time to deal with them.

Whatever you tell yourself, you’re going to subconsciously work to make true. If you tell yourself you’re a lazy procrastinator (Mel), you’re going to push everything to the last minute. If you tell yourself you can’t get it all done, you won’t, or it’ll be an uphill battle. If you tell yourself you’re drowning, you’ll always feel like it.

If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed or like you don’t have enough time, try this refrain instead:

“I have all the time I need to accomplish my most important tasks.”

This will do 2 things for you:

1. You’ll start working to make it true (working on your most important tasks.)
2. You’ll start prioritizing (because it says, “most important” not “all.”)

You can also use this variation for days you’re super tired:

“I have all the energy I need to accomplish my most important tasks.”

When I was sick recently, this helped enormously.

I said, “I have all the energy I need to accomplish my most important tasks,” and then I decided I only had two important tasks that day: a last-minute client newsletter and sitting on my couch… check and check.

What you say to yourself, you work to make true.

Instead of telling yourself that you can’t do it, tell yourself you can and see what a difference it makes.

You’ve got this!

Love,

Mel

Your 5-Star Life Coach ⭐️

P.S. Want more support? Here are a few ways I can help you:

1. Did this email resonate? Are you getting overwhelmed? Watch this video or listen to the podcast episode.
2. Wishing your life felt more meaningful and happy? Read Becoming Future You.
3. Need some help figuring out what you want (instead of what you're "supposed" to want)? Download the FREE Becoming Future You Starter Guide.