How do you deal with a large overwhelming task or set of tasks?

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You can easily become overwhelmed if you have a large task or set of tasks to complete. You can become frustrated and not finish the task. Or you can race through the task and finish it, but you didn't do a thorough job and are unhappy with the results. Instead of pulling your hair out over this, why don't you try delegation?

Let's say for example that you are a stay at home mom (or dad!) of three. You might feel that you have to take care of the house, drive the kids, etc. Have your kids help you out! Delegate responsibilities to them. Yes, this is basically the old fashioned notion of "chores". More and more parents these days are not making their kids do chores. It is important to have your kids do these chores to learn responsibility and to help you out.

Plus, you will be teaching your children how to do everyday life tasks such as cleaning their room, washing dishes, and even doing the laundry. You need to take into account the age of your kids.

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Maintain your mental and physical conditioning with excercise, good foods, and a one a day vitimin for starters. Take deep brethes often to keep the oxygen level in your brain up. Stay away form alcohal and cigarettes.

Be organized. Prioritize importance and focus on the task at hand. Delagate portions as possible. Find time to relax every hour or so for a few moments. Bear down and give it hell!! BClear

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I have always found the break down method worked best for me. It's like instructions to a bicycle. They don't just give you a picture and say, "Go to it." Break the tasks down into more doable portions. Try doing the more difficult ones first while you are still fresh and strong. That way, you will not have to dread them later.As the remaining task become easier, you'll begin to pick up speed right to the end and you'll also find yourself less tired.

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You need to learn to prioritize and to 'budget' your time.

I've had to deal with ADD most of my life and I've found that I become overwhelmed by a lot of things from household chores to work assignments to personal projects like hobbies.

I've learned that one of the best ways to avoid anxiety, stress, frustration and burn-out is to make 'to do' lists. It sounds too simple, but it really is effective.

For large, time consuming or complicated tasks, make a list:

  • that clearly states your objective - if you can't even put into simple words what you want or need to accomplish, it's no wonder you'd end up overwhelmed and frustrated
  • that states your deadline or schedule - be sure to allow yourself a reasonable amount of time and include time for rest and bathroom breaks, as well as extra time for the unexpected interuptions and distractions that will inevitably come up
  • of tools, supplies or whatever you will need to successfully accomplish your task

Take a figurative step back and analyze the project as a whole, then start to dissect it and break it down into a series of smaller tasks. Make another list of these smaller tasks in order of priority starting with gathering your tools or supplies. It's just another annoyance you have to deal with if you have to keep stopping to scrounge for a calculator, the right kind of screwdriver, a misplaced file, or an elusive jar of spices (depending on your task, of course).

Now start at the top of your list and work on one item at a time. When you finish one task, cross it off your list and begin the next one.

The more smaller tasks you can break the project down into, the better.


With a set of tasks, like chores for example, I make ''at least'' two lists; the first list includes all of my individual tasks in order of importance with the most necessary ones at the top of the list and minor tasks at the bottom.

A second sets out my schedule step by step and maybe even a third list for task s that can wait if I just can't get around to them.

An average daily schedule might look something like this:

  • clear breakfast dishes and load dishwasher
  • while dishwasher is running, sort laundry
  • unload dishwasher while first load of laundry runs; then feed cats, and dust living room
  • move clean laundry to dryer and put another load in washer; finish dusting and vacuum while laundry is going
  • Take a moment to check things off my list and re-evaluate remaining tasks; jot down grocery list while I'm working on my lists.
  • rotate laundry again; make phone calls while sorting, folding and/or ironing clean laundry; while iron is out use it to prepare a couple of yards of fabric for the quilt I'm planning.
  • drop clean laundry off in the appropriate rooms so kids and hubby can put away ''their own clothes''
  • make time to take a ''short'' break once in a while - have a cup of coffee, read the paper, talk a walk or just sit and relax
  • more laundry; water the houseplants, mop kitchen floor
  • rotate laundry ''again''; bring in the mail, pulling a few weeds on the way; pay a few bills
  • make a quick run to the grocery then pick up the kids after school - they help carry in the groceries or they don't get to open the new bag of chips I just purchased!
  • help with homework while getting dinner started

  • If I mark everything off my list, which is rare - how often do you manage to accomplish your tasks without something coming up that disrupts your plans? - I'm usually exhausted but feel pretty satisfied with myself. If I don't clear my list, the unfinished tasks should just be minor things - IF I've managed to get my priorities straight.

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And as someone stated above, delegation is a wonderful thing.

  • chores must be done before playing, watching tv, or talking on the phone
  • the kids take turns unloading the dishwasher, feeding and cleaning the hamster's and the hedgehog's cage, taking out the garbage or putting out the recycling bin for pick-up, setting the table, and whatever else needs to be tended to
  • hubby and I take turns helping with homework, cajoling the younger kids to take a bath or shower and getting them to bed on time
  • and we split up 'quality time': he plays silly games with them, builds tents, plays sports, or rough-houses with them; I read to them or let them read to me, play word or trivia games, answer innumerable questions including the silly ones, just sit and talk with them or ''listen''; we both color or do puzzles with them, take them hiking, play silly board games, and give lots of snuggles. :)

A few of the other rules in my house include:

  • any clothes which end up on the floor, under the bed or hidden in a corner rather than put in a hamper, will not get laundered
  • toys, books or video games which do not get put away when requested may mysteriously 'disappear' for a while
  • if homework does not get done, large items like stereos, computers, and video games systems tend to 'disappear' as well. ;) This is very effective.
  • if anyone complains about what he or she finds on his or her plate at dinner time, he or she gets to do the dishes for a few days. I'd make them prepare the meals but they usually like having a chance to cook, and I get tired of hotdogs and scrambled eggs ''very quickly''. Hubby is not exempt - he can cook the next meal himself or he can take the family out for dinner.
  • everyone keeps track of their own things, because no one else will, and 'don't borrow your sister's clothes or you brother's video games if you aren't willing to reciprocate'


But no matter how you deal with your own overwhelming tasks, you should remember to take a break now and then, don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it, and procrastion will only add to your stress and anxiety.

And before you dismiss my 'making lists' method of dealing with chores as too simple or as too odd, give it a try. My psychiatrist agrees that it is a very effective way to handle things that might ordinarily overwhelm you.

Just give it a shot. What have you got to lose?

First answer by Getacar. Last edit by Getacar. Contributor trust: 983 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 37 [recommend question].