How to Overcome Overwhelm as a Highly Sensitive Entrepreneur: Time Management and Self-Care Tips for Success
Are you a highly sensitive person (HSP) who is also an entrepreneur feeling overwhelmed by the constant juggling of work, deadlines, and personal responsibilities? As an HSP, your sensitivity to stimuli and need for extra processing time make it harder to manage multiple tasks, often leading to stress and burnout. In this article, we’ll explore why highly sensitive persons are prone to overwhelm and offer practical strategies for managing your time, energy, and workload effectively.
The Never-Ending To-Do List
As an HSP entrepreneur, I will never dilute the importance of the need for relief from the constant overwhelm we most often experience .I completely understand because often I feel like there’s a never-ending list of things to manage and implement.
And just like the sink at dinner prep time at my house where the dishes seem to never stop piling up so is the same with every day tasks and (new) responsibilities. The to-do list never seems to get shorter.
It’s like even when I cross off one task, another one quickly takes its place. It feels like I'm always trying to keep up, but never quite catching up.
Yep, right now I hear the clanging sounds of forks and plates as they’re being hand washed in my little nickel-finished apartment sink. (soap and suds emoji)
Calendar Systems and HSP Traits
Tell me it’s not just moi when it comes to trying out someone’s calendar system. Oh, and I’ve also tried planning and scheduling and time blocking systems from the productivity gurus to help me manage my time, tasks, and projects that had a deadline or none at all.
But I swear, they all seemed to fail. Actually, I seriously always felt like I was the failure. Because if these gurus who created these systems have all these fantastic reviews and testimonials about people’s lives being transformed and they’re more productive at work and life had more freedom since implementing these time management systems, then something must be wrong with me if it didn’t work for me.
Deep breath in. And exhale slowly. (sigh emoji)
I mean, I was all in. I’m talking committed with a ring kind of committed. And in true HSP fashion I wondered and wondered and wondered some more about why these “tried and true” systems never work the way I was told they would.
And then it hit me hard and good…
I realized that the typical calendar systems weren't designed with HSP (highly sensitive people) traits in mind. My sensitivity to stimuli and my need for more time to process information made it hard for these systems to work for me in the long run.
Even though I tried my best, I would often overestimate how much I could do in a given time and pack too many tasks into my schedule. This led me to feel overworked because I tried to get everything done within that time I planned for in my calendar.
Here’s the good news though… So, all of a sudden with a change in perspective and the acknowledgement of my high sensitivity traits it became easy to see why those calendar systems just didn’t work for me. (Keep reading three lines below for the good news.)
Maybe they didn’t work for you, either?
Let me just say, It’s. Okay. Because you can do it your own way.
The good news is that you don’t have to follow what the experts tell you to do. You don’t have to listen to what they say works. And shoots you don’t even have to believe them when they say “you just have to keep following the system because it works.”
No disrespect to the creators of these systems. I think it’s exciting and fun and a lot of the systems I’ve tried had a lot of guidance and support and step-by-step instructions for how to best use it. Here’s the big booty (but):
BUT they were designed for non-HSPs.
The Misjudgment That Leads to Overwhelm
It’s no surprise that this tendency to misjudge how much I can do in a day only increased my feelings of overwhelm and stress. I would push and grind myself to get everything done, only to end up feeling exhausted and drained.
The pressure to keep going, even when I was clearly overloading myself, led to a cycle of high stress, low energy, and the d-word — discouraged, big time.
It was a pattern that I found hard to break because I wanted to get so much done but I knew that keeping this behavior up wasn’t ideal or optimal.
…obviously I’m human and limited and it just can’t be maintained over long periods of time..
Essentially, it led to problems, To be specific, I’m talking about exhaustion, burnout, and adrenal fatigue, In the end, I was down in bed for about a month trying to recover because my body shut down with severe adrenal fatigue.
And as a highly sensitive person whose brain is always highly active I’m officially adding bed rest into the category of one of my worst nightmares because bed rest gives me that feeling of nothing will ever get done. (worry face emoji)
Who else is raising their hand on this with me? (see-no-evil monkey emoji)
Now, the best thing I do about this misjudgment is to stop overcompensating things for myself. The way I do that is by taking on one small thing at a time. Read that again.
Here’s how that looks for me:
I don’t write out my top three tasks for the day at the top of my planner for the sake of feeling some sort of accomplishment or productivity.
Instead, I work on what I know is the highest priority for the day that needs forward motion.
I don’t try to fit in as much as I can on my to-do list. Instead, I work on what feels fun in the moment.
I don’t work from morning ’til night busting out my work guns like there’s no tomorrow
Instead, I start my day off slow. I’m talking turtle speed (turtle emoji). I have loads of breaks in between working hours and I use an alarm that goes off after 1-hour of quality working so that I can take an intentional, well deserved break. I literally have “white space” written in my calendar and total recommend it to all HSPs.
I don’t worry about having to complete a task or project from beginning to end in a single work day or session.
Instead, because I prioritize breaks for my self-care and sanity it could look like me working on thing A, break, thing B, break, and back to thing A. It rarely happens that way in day but it is more typical for it to look like that in a work week,
And last but not least, I don’t stress about getting work completed for the day
…because I know work will always be there overflowing and waiting for me like dishes piling up in the sink the way it always does at our family parties over at my mom and dad’s house.
Overwhelmed by Too Much Information
One of the most frustrating aspects of this overwhelm is how many courses and programs in the entrepreneurial space are designed to teach too much information. These courses often take hours to go through, and they overwhelm you with more details than you need.
I believe these courses should focus on teaching only the most important points. This would make learning faster and easier, allowing you to absorb the necessary information without getting bogged down by unnecessary details.
For example, instead of taking six hours to teach something, they could teach it in just six minutes. But that’s not the typical case.
Relief Through Efficient Learning
Think about this: If you can learn something in 10 minutes instead of 1 hour and then implement it in 30 minutes, you’ll cut down on the time it takes to learn something new.
(How’s that for time management?) 🤓
Even better, this can offer significant relief from feeling overwhelmed. That’s an example of how efficient learning can bring relief.
After all, you have other things to do during the day besides just learning and implementing a course. When you take courses from creators who streamline the teaching time, you can grasp what you need to know more quickly and move on to other important tasks.
This approach not only saves you time but also reduces your mental load, helping you maintain your energy and focus throughout the day.
The Pitfall of Continuous Work
Another challenge I often face is the tendency to spend continuous hours working, especially when I’m learning something new and interesting.
When I find a topic that excites me, I can easily lose track of time and end up working for hours on end without taking a break. While this might seem productive at first, it often leads to burnout.
Although it happens less now, I still sometimes forget to take breaks (OR ignore them), which eventually leads to feeling overwhelmed and my energy gets low. (This is a learning process… ain't that the truth!) 😌
On top of that, it’s easy to forget that I have other responsibilities and things I enjoy, like exercising, spending time with family, taking naps, or simply unplugging from devices and enjoying some quiet time.
I really enjoy relaxing in my comfy bed and just reflecting on what I learned the hour before, the day before, or praying to God for whatever comes to mind.
(Keep reading for a tip nine short paragraphs below this one. Seriously though, you can start using this tip as soon as you’re done reading this.) 💁♀️
Finding Balance as a Highly Sensitive Entrepreneur
I’ve realized that much of my overwhelm comes from not understanding what I can handle as an HSP. When I push myself to learn and do new things for long periods without breaks, it makes me feel very stressed.
I often work hard for many hours, thinking this will help me achieve more. But this usually makes me tired and less effective.
Another problem is the belief in our society that working long hours shows dedication and hard work. Many people think that if you stay late at work or work on weekends, you are more committed.
On the other hand, taking breaks or resting can be seen as a sign of laziness. This is frustrating for me because it goes against my need for balance and self-care.
Finding balance is very important for my health and productivity. I have learned that taking regular breaks and setting clear work hours helps me stay focused and energized.
Balance means working in a way that fits my natural rhythm, not just dividing time between work and rest. (This helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed and improves my effectiveness and well-being.)
By accepting my own work style and not giving in to societal pressures, I can work at a pace that is healthier and more sustainable. This way, I can be successful without harming my health or personal happiness.
The Cost of Ignoring Breaks
In the past, it was normal for me to not implement any sort of time management strategy. Let’s just say that was when I used to work laaate into the night, immersing myself in tasks and ignoring the need for breaks.
I would sacrifice sleep and push myself to keep going, thinking that this was the only way to succeed.
But this approach led to serious health issues, including adrenal fatigue, and a spiral of unhealthy habits. It took a toll on both my physical and mental health, and I knew I had to make a change.
Prioritizing Breaks and Rest
Now, I’ve learned to prioritize breaks, playtime, and sleep. I take work tasks one step at a time, allowing myself the time and space to rest and recharge. I prioritize breaks. I prioritize breaks. I prioritize breaks.
No, that wasn’t a typo. I put that there to emphasize the importance of taking breaks and taking them often. ♥️
Here’s the tip that has made a big difference for me when it comes to finding relief from overwhelm: ⬇️
I set a timer for working and taking breaks.
By working for a set amount of time and then taking a break, I can maintain my energy and keep my focus on the task that needs to be done. This approach has become non-negotiable for me, and it has helped me manage my overwhelm much more effectively. 🤯
A Practical Mindset Shift
To overcome the overwhelm that comes with managing multiple tasks and responsibilities, it’s important to recognize your limits as an HSP (highly sensitive person). Acknowledge that you need more time to process information and that taking breaks is essential for maintaining your energy and focus. (Yep, if you’re also an introvert the same goes for you!)
Seek out systems and strategies that align with your HSP traits, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments when something isn’t working for you. Even better, create your own system!
It’s About How Well You Can Manage Your Time And Energy As An HSP entrepreneur
As an HSP entrepreneur, managing overwhelm is an ongoing challenge. But by understanding your unique needs and taking steps to honor them, you can find relief from the stress and pressure that comes with running a business.
Remember, it’s NOT about how much you can do in a day but how well you can manage your time and energy. (Or in other words, think long-term vs. short-term)
By prioritizing what truly matters and giving yourself the breaks you need, you can create a more balanced and fulfilling entrepreneurial journey.
Reflection / Journal Questions
How do you manage your tasks, and where do you feel the most overwhelmed?
(Think about how you organize your work and which parts make you feel stressed. Why might this be happening?)What activities or breaks do you miss that could help you feel better?
(Consider what relaxing activities or breaks you enjoy but don’t make time for. How could including this help reduce your stress?)
Call to Action Questions
What one change can you make today to balance work and personal life, and how will you do it?
(Choose ONE action to improve your work-life balance and plan how you will start doing it today.)Which time management method can you try to fit your HSP traits, and how will you test it?
(Pick a time management method that suits your HSP (highly sensitive person) traits – or create your own. Decide how you will use it and track/assess if it helps you manage your tasks better. If not, how can you make it work for you?)
