To keep giving you relevant and timely content, we update our most popular posts. This article was last updated in November 2020.
I was supposed to take some time to relax.
The stage was set. Epsom salts and lavender essential oil were in the tub. A cup of tea was on the ledge. Everything was ready … except my brain.
After a five-month creative hiatus, it just. wouldn’t. shut. up.
Now, why exactly was this such a problem? Shouldn’t I be out-of-my-mind with joy that all these ideas are swirling around after taking such a long break?
Um, not so much. The issue is that this constant influx of inspiration makes my adrenaline pump, my heart race, and my breathing grow shallow. They’re all-too-familiar signs telling me I’m trying too hard. Rushing. Feeling like it all has to be done yesterday.
To stop myself from spiraling, I reassure myself I have plenty of time. Plenty. Possibly 80 years (after all, I predict I’ll live until I’m 115.)
I jotted down a few notes (using washable crayons on the bathtub walls; I highly recommend them) and sunk back into the steamy water, breathing deeply to slow my heart rate.
“Calm down,” I told myself. “It’s not like all 137 ideas are going to actualize in the next 40 minutes … Or could they?”
“Of course not,” I remind myself. I closed my eyes, finally able to return to my happy world of lavender bliss.
The Curse of the Creative Mind
There isn’t a creative entrepreneur out there who hasn’t had moments (or a never-ending life) of major idea overwhelm. You’re not challenged to find great, new ideas. Instead, you’re wondering how the heck you’re going to keep them from completely overwhelming you.
I hear you.
Overwhelm is part of the game. Business is big, and overwhelm is always around the corner. But I know you can conquer it. Don’t let it run your show.
And getting through idea overwhelm is exactly what today’s post is all about.
What to Do When Idea Overwhelm Strikes
Overwhelm Relief Trick #1
Pay attention to every idea, but don’t let them take up too much brain space.
A good way to keep your brain from feeling overwhelmed (and stay organized) is to keep a mega-list of all of your ideas. It can be on paper or electronic, but you MUST capture them somewhere.
Doing so helps your brain relax because it knows it’s been “remembered” somewhere you won’t forget. This way you won’t have to stress yourself out worrying about hanging onto every potential Next Big Thing.
Writing it down doesn’t mean you’re going to act on it. Simply put it in the idea hopper and say, “I’ve got it down. And I’m working on this other thing right now.” This will be the chill pill your brain desperately needs.
Another great perk of keeping a list means you’re keeping all of your ideas in one place, so it’s easier to separate the awesome from the not-so-awesome when you’re ready to take action on something new.
Watch this video where I talk about my favorite way to not only get ideas out of my head and onto paper, but also to organize them and get really clear on what needs to happen and in what order.
Overwhelm Relief Trick #2
Notice the “stories” that surround your ideas
When inspiration hits, what do you tell yourself? Is it something like…
I have to do it NOW, or it’ll never get done.
My people need this from me.
If I don’t take the plunge, someone’s going to beat me to it.
I needed the money yesterday!
Pause. Take a deep breath. And change your story.
Remind yourself that despite what you may think, you do have the time to make these ideas happen at a pace that’s steady, reasonable, and above all, balanced!
Nothing brilliant was ever made in a big ‘ol hurry. Even if you feel you should have this new product or idea ready to go tomorrow, if you push yourself too hard, the quality of what you create will suffer, and your reputation will follow it down the toilet.
If you’re not familiar with changing your story and doing mindset work, here’s a video where I go into detail about how to respond to these “stories.” It’s not specifically about stories you say around your ideas, but it still applies:
Click to DownloadIdea Flight KitOverwhelm Relief Trick #3
Borrow my personal well-being mantra.
I’m not a big mantra girl, but I do have a few go-to’s when I get desperate. Here’s my go-to mantra for busy days:
“Everything that needs to get done will get done exactly when it needs to get done.”
My whole body relaxes when I say that. Feel free to borrow it as often as you need!
Remember: There’s Always More Time
There’s no need to create the next life-changing program or product tomorrow. Give your ideas time to incubate and develop, and give yourself time to enjoy the process. In fact, taking your time and nurturing the creation process will actually make for a better result (which helps your bank account and your reputation!).
Don’t get caught up in the idea that life in the online space is a massive race. When it comes to crafting an idea that will change the world, you need time to make the big impact you’re meant to have. It just won’t happen overnight.
Repeat after me: I. Have. Time.
You’ve got at least 20, 50, or 100 years (hey, modern science is moving quickly!) to change the world in the way you see fit. So give yourself a break. Move steadily, instead of speedily.
Click to TweetMove steadily, instead of speedily.How Do You Handle Idea Overwhelm?
Now that I’ve riffed on handling overwhelm, I’d love to hear from you!
Tell me….
How can you tell when you’re struck with idea overwhelm?
Is there a particular symptom, freak-out pattern, or habit that reminds you to take it down a notch?
I can’t wait to read what you’ve got in the comments below. And, as always, thank you so much for reading and sharing!!
My Personal Recommendation for YouStarting and Growing an Online, Service-Based Business
Hi Jenny!
I can tell when I am stuck. It’s when I can’t sleep. Your trick number 1 is often my solution to get out of overwhelm. And my trick numer 2 is to look at the ideas and prioritize which one comes first and then concentrate on getting that one done.
I love your easy take on this! And all the valuable stuff you have shared earlier! You are really to the point! Thanks for sharing!
Excellent, Siril! Not only does business not have to be so hard… neither does overwhelm! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
This is such a common problem for me Jenny. Thanks for the post! I do something similar. I try to write any idea that comes to me down – to free up space in my head. I find if I get the swirling stuff out of my head and onto a page, I feel soooo much lighter. I check in with the master list regularly and choose a few to work and and make happen. And then I get scheduling time to make it happen: planning, identifying the steps, taking regular action etc.
It’s amazing how much relief comes from simply writing it down, isn’t it?! Works all the time. It’s why I keep pen and paper next to my bed every night. Whether it’s grocery items or business ideas, writing them down helps clear my mind for the most important 9 hours of my day — sleep!
Hi, Jenny! Great ideas, all, and thankfully they’re already tools in my own toolbox for overwhelm control (and insomnia relief!) Mostly I have to keep reminding myself that my business and my creative process are on MY schedule, not someone else’s. That ALWAYS breaks down into NOT COMPARING myself or my progress to anyone else.
I. Have. Time.
You rock!
Love that way of looking at it, Deane. It is on your schedule, not anyone else’s. Perfect!
Great post. Jenny! I use Trick #1 a lot and also, like Joanna says, schedule time every week or so to review my massive list of creative ideas for stuff that fits with what I’m currently working on. Have to second Deane’s reminder about not comparing. Whenever I get that creative overwhelm feeling, I know it’s because I have been comparing myself to others and hopping on the wagon of “I need to do that thing too, and right away, if I want to be successful!” Reminding myself that there will always be time for the stuff that I’m meant to accomplish is a relief!
It is wildly relieving to know we have time to the stuff we’re meant to accomplish. I wholeheartedly agree! That’s my go-to for sure! Thanks for chiming in!
Hi Jenny,
I love your tricks. Last year, I discovered that if I also add a guided meditation in the bath tub, it helps to disconnect.
It depends what is causing me to be on overdrive. If I’m have crazy idea’s about my personal projects, or my business, I let it run, but with permission to take breaks. I pick one day (like a saturday), and I give myself permission to put everything aside for a day. I imagine all of it coming out into a little bottle. I put the little bottle on my dresser, and I pick it up the next day. Does wonders for me. And sometimes I’ll do this when I’m in bed, so that I can get a rest that will be deep and wonderful. It works like a charm.
If it’s for something that I don’t want to think about (like my day job), I just say no to these thoughts. And then I’ll do a quit 5 minute meditation to download peace and calm. I visualize these thoughts going up into the universe.
I need to start writing them now…
Love & Light,
Nathalie
Interesting idea to use a physical object o help set aside your work. I bet that could be of benefit to many women. I have a friend who finds a lot of help from that approach with other things. I’d never thought about using it for this. Smart thinking, and thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jenny. I needed that.
I read an interview of a well known writer in her 90’s who was unable to continue writing due to health issues. The reporter asked her; “Do you still have story idea’s”? “She answered, “yes, of course I do”. Reporter; “But will they ever be written?” She replied, “No, and that’s ok”. This gave me great comfort. My ideas have always been constant, but realizing that sometimes, just thinking of them, brought me joy and entertained my mind – sometimes – with some ideas, – that’s all I need. *Yet, I still write them all down!
Ideas are the juice of life!
That’s priceless! Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m going to add it to my mantra: “And even if it doesn’t get done, that’s okay, too!”
These are GREAT tips!
I write things down. I also try having a tiny micro-meditate – just 30 seconds or a couple of minutes turned away from my desk, thinking about my breathing.
I also have as my desktop background, a photo of my sweetheart and stepson – to remind me what’s REALLY important.
Thanks for another awesome post!
Slowing down! Right! That’s good, too 🙂
Loving all of the overwhelm support additions from you smarties today. Thanks for sharing, Marsha!
Once again you wrote an excellent article. I too have those times when my mind rushes however for me since I am bi-polar they come often times come during my manic episodes and I may be on a one or two week run with no sleep or no food. I am bouncing off the walls. But I just take my med and hope they work…lol but seriously I do have normal peoples brain rushes too and during those times I take lots of notes writing everything I am thinking down. Sometime just writing it is enough to say I acted upon it. But when that doesn’t work I have the list to approach at a time when I am more collected in my thoughts. I love all the replies you are getting. Thanks folks.
Yay for lists saving lives!
ha! I love this. I need to get back in the habit of keeping a notepad by my bed. I find myself trying to fall asleep at night and simultaneously remember a really important idea I just came up with. And you, Jenny, you need Aqua Notes. Because those bath crayons are SO hard to read. Unless you have some magic ones I haven’t seen yet, in which case please give me the brand name!
I’ll certainly check out Aqua Notes. I just use the crayola brand washable crayons. It makes me keep my notes short because otherwise the crayons would melt in my hands!
And go out and get that bedside notebook today! Idea overwhelm resolved tonight!
I put one on the nightstand! Yay!
Great tips! I know I am on overwhelm when I start to feel like I’ll never have time to get my plethora of Big Ideas out there. “So many brilliant ideas, so little time,” I think to myself. I feel like I’m cheating the world of my magic!
While I am an avid writer-downer, my “self talk” could use some help. I often think “someone else might beat me to it!” or “I have to launch this NOW!”. I will definitely borrow your mantra and remind myself that it will happen when it is meant to happen. I am notorious for doing stuff right away, then having to back track and tweak it after I develop it a little better–now I will make a point to let the ideas percolate a bit longer and launch them when they’re truly ready!
Your awareness of your own thinking is fantastic! It’s so helpful when we are onto ourselves about the self-talk — keep it up!
Oooooh, Jenny. Idea overwhelm and I are BFFs. So much so, in fact, that I almost let it sink my business into entrepreneurial oblivion a few months ago. I wish I was kidding.
For me, I’ve found that carrying a notebook (or my iPhone) with me everywhere I go helps a bit. I brain dump every time I feel the anxious overwhelm sneak in. Also, wine. Wine helps too. 🙂
But in all seriousness, you’ve touched on a very serious issue with creative entrepreneurs today. Managing it isn’t easy, but it helps to know we’re not alone in the battle!
Love your honesty, Julie, and that you found a way out of the overwhelm. You’re right — it’s absolutely critical if you want to make your business work!
I can relate to creativity overwhelm! I always feel I have more ideas than time and often when I am sitting down to work on one thing another AMAZE-BALLS idea pops into my head and feels like it needs to be done NOW while I’m still red hot on it. This of course pushes current task backwards (the one I thought was so amaze-balls last week….). Your tips are great. I’ve just tweeted your manta 😉 And I’d love to know how you create a tweetable link like that within a post please! x
Keep a safe keeping space for your ideas so when they interrupt the creation of current idea, you can table it for later, as opposed to letting it get you distracted — that way you can get those great ideas out into the world!
You can create those clickable tweets at http://clicktotweet.com. Have fun with it!
Thanks Jenny! Yes, Evernote has become an extension of my brain and I’ll create a special notebook for this kind of creative brain dumping 🙂 Off to check that tweet link now – gracias!
this is WONDERFUL and timely advice. I suffer from creative overwhelm sometimes, and I have to pull out a notepad and write my ideas down. It definitely soothes my brain into knowing that the idea will not be forgotten. I even keep a pad of paper and a pen by my bed, in case a good idea strikes at night.
Yes! Having a place to put those ideas when they come up can help so much.
Thank you! It is so comforting to know others are experiencing the same sensation. In my case it is a fiction project that has been on hold, and now I finally have time for it the flood gates have opened. It is like reverse writers’ block. I feel completely overwhelmed, giving veracity to the old adage that the constipated eventually succumb to diarrhea! On a practical note I do two things that manage so many ideas: first I set aside time every day to work on them, and I think the schedule, something iron clad, is vital; the second is I keep notes in chronological order, and give the headings for later use and expansion. It is like gathering all the materials one might need to build a house, labeling them for future use. Occasionally I will feel inspired and start fleshing the ideas out, but allow myself the luxury of jumping around, and not really having an ultimate destination. I figure that later I can come back to it and work it through. However I do think it is very, very important to slow down, temporarily, when building notes to capture as much of the reason for putting them down while the idea is still hot. Otherwise later I wonder what I was thinking. Having headings makes this easier because I can just jot down “relates to ABC” or whatever, and later use this to organize the ideas in a more complete, sequential or reasoned way. Also never revise in the idea generation phase, let the illogical, irrational part of the creative mind coast for a while. That helps me a lot. Finally, sometimes I need to take a break, either shut down in a nap for twenty minutes or so, or maybe take a shower, then start again. Good luck to everyone, this was a very helpful read and I hope my experience helps someone else too!
Reverse writer’s block made me chuckle! Thank you for sharing all of your ideas here. It’s helpful for everyone else to read as well.
Hi Jenny! This post was great! I even tweeted the lovely quote at the end of it for future!me to look back on when she’s stressed!
This was such a life saver, I was right in the middle of one of the most chaotic thought processes and felt completely overwhelmed by it – and they say writing a blog is easy, right? But even just reading this, and knowing that even experienced people and writers such as yourself struggle with this made me feel a lot calmer, and reassured that my ideas won’t slip away from me if I don’t act on them instantly! Thank you for writing this, and I’m sure it’s helped so many others on a problem that so few people talk about 🙂 <3
So glad you feel calmer and reassured by putting the ideas here into action. That’s funny that you tweeted to your future self. Love that!
I’m going crazy with creativity as ive been rather dwn beaten or too tied up with family matters for years now i have time for myself im going crazy with many creative activities but soooo much i struggle to sleep last night i think i had a seizure in my sleep i always know when ive had one because of the aftermath symptoms that follow one …ive been having a few funny doo’s on an off for the last twelve months theres been a lot of stress in the family with one thing an another but things now have seetled dwn in that department now i just have this overwhelming feeling of doing my art i have 6 projects on the go an sometimes become very confused an not know what to do first .. so i will try writing these challenges down an before i sleep do my deep breathing … i’m very happy doing sll these creative things but get over excited an can’t sleep an when i do occasionally have these strange doo’s in my sleep … i had epillepsi diagnosed 1982 but refuse medication for them as they are quite rare but have been more frequent this last 12 months as i stated previously i’m 52 in August so im going through the change lol thank u for the tips i will tell myself they do not have to be finished today an i just go back to each project alternitivley an rotate it …xxxx
Yes, deep breathing is a great idea. An overwhelmed nervous system can cause that racing mind, in my experience.
Jenny, what a great article, thank you! I experience the same to the point where I sink back into the familiar, or hide totally from my ideas via browsing Facebook or watching Netflix. I’m an escapist of the overwhelm. In the end, I know it does the opposite of anything productive, and I need to change that behavior, as I have many righteous ideas swimming around up there. They just all want out of the pool. Of course, I have told myself many times to write everything down, and I do it for awhile, but then I stop.
I have so many creative endeavors on the go, from dabbly to serious. On the serious side, I make and sell lampwork beads, and am beginning teaching same. This is my main income ATM. I also make and sell some jewelry with them. Now, I’ve taken an interest in silversmithing, and am driven to learn and create. In doing this, my beadmaking gets less passion and focus, and the silver isn’t quite salable yet, so my income ultimately suffers. Yet, I know I do want to improve, and sell, and I can’t do that without giving it my mind and energy. Writing is another area in which the ideas are constant, yet varied in subject, and I get that stone in the gut feeling of ‘where to begin?’ I totally relate to Kelly Pietrangeli, whose amaze-balls ideas are in constant battle for pole position. That is my life, and in the end, it feels like nothing gets done.
Meanwhile, I am struggling financially, and all kinds of other ideas are brewing all the time, on how to fix that. They are mostly very neat and creative, but sometimes the overwhelm involved in making one idea become reality, and successful, is stressful, and I find a way to dismiss it… for awhile. They always come back, so I know they want out of the pool and into the sunlight.
Everyone here has written some great ideas, and I will certainly be putting some to use, starting with the note taking. New notebook app downloading right now. Starting fresh.
😀
Thank you for sharing all of that with us. I’m glad that you’ve found great ideas from everyone here and can put them to use for yourself. 🙂
Writing the ideas down is always helpful, but I learned I can sketch the ideas out in my sketchbook and that seems to satisfy the process of actually making whatever it is. If an idea sticks around after that, then I know I need to take it further.
Such a great point. I’m not artistic in that way, so the drawing/sketching/etc doesn’t occur to me but that’s a truly fantastic idea for many. Thank you for sharing, Alexis.
Hi Jenny, I needed to read this. What happens to me it’s I get these fantastic ideas; I run out and the supplies (I’m a textile artist), then I home and take a nap because I suddenly feel very tired. I sometimes feel paralyzed, because I have so many ideas, I don’t know which to start on and how to start the one I choose. Sometimes I’ll sit for hours feeling depressed that I’m not doing any of them.
I’m so glad these have helped you, Carol. One thing I’ve recently learned is that “suddenly feeling tired” is often a sign of our nervous systems shutting down (a natural, adaptive trauma response). It happens to me a lot, and it’s taken awhile to sort out that it’s not actually about the current situation but about old stuff. If it resonates, start by searching YouTube for some videos from Irene Lyon. You might find them very helpful, as I have.
Wow this was a popular article, I can understand why, here I am laying in bed tearing full head on to a panic attack as I become overwhelmed with my constant stream of genius.
I believe some people can have ‘creative blocks’ whereas I’m quite the opposite. I keep a lot of lists, digital and old school. Helps but it takes more than a list to quell the madness, am I right?! 😉
I keep telling myself that it’s ok, slow down, I am only one person and it is what it is right now, I value my health/sanity and don’t want to end up at places I’ve been in the past. Ill and physically broken, twice now.
I really like your mantra, I’m going to use that. I do believe what will be will be and what is meant to is what is. I found your article very comforting thank you.
Sometimes when it all goes a bit crazy upstairs (mostly laying in bed while my husband sleeps, I’m busy during the day so don’t have to suffer my own ‘silence’) I quite firmly tell myself ‘NO, THERE WILL BE NO MORE IDEAS/THINKING TODAY. NO BARGAINING ABOUT IT. PERIOD’.
Maybe seems silly and/or too simple but I effectively give myself a very short sharp telling off and when I catch myself cycling round, I firmly say that we’ve had this discussion and it is not up for negotiation. Maybe a bit like a child who’s already been declined a biscuit after dinner.
Anyway, that was very long, thanks Jenny 🙂
I’m glad to hear you feel less alone after reading al of this. Those things you’re feeling are normal and common and also they can be a sign of your inner self needing some attention. I’ve personally been focusing a lot on this lately. If it resonates, start by searching YouTube for videos from Irene Lyon. You might find them very helpful.
This is exactly what I was looking for at such a time as this!!!
Thanks Jenny
I love when that happens. Glad you found it, Patrice!
Good afternoon Jenny,
Thank you for going over this topic, I found your article at the right timing.
I have realized that I have become overwhelmed with ideas when they no longer seem exciting to me. Too many ideas turn into a headache until I lose interest and delete all ideas. Who knows, some could have been brilliant results. I tend to overthink too much, focus on too many at the same time that I lose focus on the smaller important details. But, overall I am enjoying your and learning from your advise. Thankyou!
I love how self-observant you are around this, Cristina. Really, you’re reflecting on some great question about yourself when it comes to too many ideas, getting headaches, deleting them, overthinking, and more. I’m doing a massive amount of learning about the nervous system right now and and seeing connections I didn’t when I originally wrote blog posts like this. I’ve suggested to a few folks to check out the work of Irene Lyon. Search her name on YouTube and see if it resonates with you or gives you ideas. It’s not directly about business, but it’s about being human, and after all, it’s a human running the business. <3