We all feel overwhelmed sometimes.

Too many decisions.
Too many needs from too many people.
Too many thoughts competing for attention.

Most people respond by trying to get more organized. Buy a new planner. Block out their calendar. Prioritize better. Hustle harder.

Sometimes that helps.
But often, it just adds one more thing to manage—which actually increases the overwhelm.

What If It’s Not About Doing More?

Let’s flip it:

What if you're not overwhelmed because you're doing too much… but because you're holding too much all at once?

Overwhelm often comes not from action, but from mental congestion.
It’s not that everything has to happen now—it’s that everything is trying to happen in your head at the same time.

Try These 3 Shifts This Week

1. Get it out of your head.

Write it down. All of it.
Overwhelm thrives in mental clutter.
Even a 60-second brain dump clears space and gives your mind room to breathe.

2. Do just one thing—but do it fully.

Multitasking and mental ping-pong create false urgency.
Choose one action. Commit to it. Let the rest wait for their turn.

3. Ask the better question.

What if I only need to take the next step—not all of them today?
That question alone removes pressure and creates progress.

What If

What if feeling overwhelmed isn’t a workload problem—but a perspective one?

Want more questions like this? Subscribe to The What If Weekly.

Or explore the book Start With What If for 52 weekly shifts that help you think and act differently—starting today.

About Doug Fleener

Doug is the creator of The What If Rule and author of Start With What If. He helps people create better perspectives and options through one powerful question at a time. Subscribe to his newsletter or check out the book to start your shift.