By: John Wittry

I had a fantastic long weekend. Spending time with my family, being in the mountains, on my horse, riding my bike and playing golf. All of my favorite activities in one of the most beautiful places on earth. It was all part of living my whole life on purpose.

And then I came home to a full inbox, opportunities, challenges, demands and a list of backed up to do’s. I watched myself drift off. I could feel the overwhelm build up inside of me like a wave. Where do I start? What should I do? I don’t want to be here.

I played the game of opening and closing e-mail pretending I was getting something accomplished. I was distracted in nearly every conversation I had. I started and didn’t complete a number of things. Old patterns, old experiences, old results. Old poison.

And then I took the antidote. I became a robot. It’s not how I feel, it’s what needs to be done. I identified a next action. I stayed completely present in accomplishing it. I acknowledged the completion. I then identified the next action. I stayed completely present in accomplishing it. I acknowledged the completion. Rinse and repeat. I gained momentum. I became enthusiastic. I revived. I had fun. Completions are fun! (And yes, my actions were associated with my objectives but that is a different article.)

My experience is that there is no better antidote to fear, overwhelm, stress and anxiety than identifying the very next action, staying present in accomplishing it, acknowledging its completion and taking the very next action. Be like a robot. It’s not how you feel, it’s what needs to be done.

Goals, intentions and strategies are great for overall direction. And day to day, it all comes down to having an action mindset and taking the very next action.

Take the antidote to overwhelm, fear and anxiety. Take action.