Experiencing Overwhelm: Finding Strength in the Struggle

Do you ever notice this? That sometimes, leadership can feel like a lot??!!
Some days, it’s energizing. Other days, it’s like trying to juggle ten flaming torches while riding a unicycle… in a windstorm.
If you’ve ever found yourself feeling scattered, stretched thin, or silently asking, “What’s wrong with me?”, let’s take a breath together right now.
You’re not broken.
Maybe you’re just overwhelmed…
And that’s human. Especially when you care deeply about the work you do and the people you serve.
What is within reach, even during chaotic seasons, is learning how to consciously honour your priorities in a way that’s both sustainable and self-honouring.

Why Priorities Matter (And Why They Can Feel Impossible)

Every leader faces competing demands: strategic goals, team needs, emails, personal responsibilities, emotional bandwidth, and let’s not forget, basic human needs like rest and connection.
It can feel like too much because, sometimes, it is too much.
And still, there is power in how you choose to meet those demands.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just need to be present to what matters most right now.
Let’s talk about how.

3 Steps to Consciously Honour Your Leadership Priorities

1. Align with Your Commitment
Before jumping into your to-do list, pause.
Ask yourself:

“What am I really committed to at this moment?”
“Which of my values is calling for my attention right now?”

Maybe it’s clarity. Maybe it’s peace. Maybe it’s momentum.
When you make your next choice from a place of clarity – not guilt, not urgency – you begin to work with your values instead of against them. Suddenly, your long list doesn’t feel quite so heavy, because you’re choosing consciously, not reacting unconsciously.

2. Budget Your Leadership Time
Once you know what matters most, plan for it like you would any meaningful investment.
Set boundaries around your time that reflect your values. For example, if you’re tackling a major initiative, block off 2 hours a day just for that.
It doesn’t mean you’re ignoring everything else, it means you’re giving your full attention to what matters now, with the assurance that the rest has its place too. Tools like calendars or time-tracking apps can help, but the key is intentional presence.

3. Release the Guilt
This one’s big.
Leaders often carry guilt like a second skin:

“ I should be doing more, faster, better.”

But guilt doesn’t fuel great leadership. Presence does.
So when you choose a priority, choose it fully. Let the guilt go.
Tell yourself, “I chose this, and I’m here.”
That simple shift in mindset can quiet the noise and help you show up with more clarity, confidence, and calm.

A Mantra for the Overwhelmed Leader

One thing I remind myself (and others) regularly is this:
“When we lead ourselves well, we become a leader to others.”

This is not about pushing harder.
It’s about softening into what’s true.
It’s about trusting that honoring your real capacity, not your ideal one, is part of effective leadership.

Ready to Give This a Try?

Download our free worksheet to help you bring these steps into your day-to-day life. Use it to pause, realign, and take one conscious step forward at a time.
You’re not broken.
You’re learning how to lead yourself in a way that’s more honest, more human, and ultimately more effective.

We’d love to hear how this lands for you. Reach out to us on social or send a message anytime. And if you’re feeling like a little support would help, we’re here.

👉 Schedule a free 20-minute intro call with Trevor

Let’s breathe some spaciousness into your leadership.