Overwhelmed & Underqualified/ 3 Ways to Pretend You’ve Got It Together (#304)
Let’s face it: life is basically a never-ending group project where nobody knows what’s going on, and the deadline was yesterday or the day before. Probably the day before. You’re overwhelmed, under-caffeinated, and one missed email away from faking your own death and moving to the woods.
But before you give up and start Googling “how to build a bunker,” allow me to share three (mostly legal) strategies to minimize being overwhelmed. These tricks may not give you enlightenment, but they will help you function just enough to pass as a productive adult. Maybe good enough for contract government work! HA
1. The Art of Strategic Ignorance
You know what’s worse than being overwhelmed? Knowing exactly why you’re overwhelmed. The to-do list is a battlefield, and knowledge is a landmine. My to-do list seems to have its own to-do list. The solution? Willful, targeted ignorance.
Start small: Unsubscribe from that email newsletter that keeps telling you it’s “the most productive day of the year.” Block calendar invites that say things like “quick sync” but end up being 90-minute existential crises. No idea what that is, really. I am not that advanced yet. You don’t need that in your life.
Better yet, try this saying: If I didn’t see it, it’s not my responsibility. This is how cats live their lives, and they seem perfectly relaxed. Be more cat. (Minus the licking yourself part. That’s still frowned upon in public.) I am so allergic to those little selfish creatures. HA!
2. Fake Prioritization Like a Pro
When everything is urgent, nothing is. That’s not just wisdom—it’s a loophole.
Here’s how to game the system: Write a list of five things you “must” do today. Now, rank them based on a proven formula I like to call “EASE x POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES ÷ PERSONAL GUILT.” It’s science-adjacent. Or perhaps in the same neighborhood.
If your list includes “Respond to 17 group messages,” move that to the bottom. The group chat is likely also overwhelmed and won’t remember messaging everyone anyway.
Instead, tackle the easy win first. Clean your desk, send one email with lots of vague enthusiasm (“Let’s circle back!”), and boom—you’re already on a productivity roll. Momentum is key. So is convincing yourself that “light stretching” counts as meaningful work.
3. Outsource to Your Future Self
Let’s talk about Future You. That person is amazing. They’re organized, hydrated, and definitely not binge-watching documentaries about alpaca farms at 2 a.m. I really do like docs!
Here’s the trick: offload today’s stress onto Future You like it’s a group project and they’re the only one who actually cares. Need to organize your taxes? Luckily, I don’t deal with taxes anymore. “That’s a Q3 problem.” Cleaning out your inbox? “Future Me loves sorting emails!” You just have to say it out loud.
Write a note, set a reminder, and move on guilt-free. Yes, Future You may curse Present You, but that’s a problem for them. You’re just trying to survive Thursday. You must surrender the old to get to the new.
Conclusion
Being overwhelmed is just a sign that you care. Probably too much. So lighten the load, set the bar low, and remember: the world keeps spinning even if your laundry doesn’t get folded.
You don’t need to have it all together—you just need to look like you do from a distance, preferably with good lighting and noise-canceling headphones.
Now go forth, do one small thing, and then reward yourself like you just cured the common cold. You deserve it.