How to Deal with Overwhelm Without Losing Your Confidence

When I was a teenager, I couldn’t wait to get my driver’s license. I lived in the country and the only way you could do what you wanted was by getting yourself there.

Do you remember what it was like when you first got behind the wheel?

Although you’d probably seen your parents drive a million times, when you sat behind the wheel, it suddenly seemed kind of complicated. You had to learn to multitask by pressing the correct peddle on the floor, holding the steering wheel with your hands at 10 and 2, plus trying to stay in your lane while maintaining a constant speed (within the legal limit, of course).

If you were like me, you probably had some snafus along the way. You were either speeding or going too slow, almost got into an accident, missed your turn, and was terrified to merge into oncoming traffic.

So why did you keep trying?

It’s simple. Your desire outweighed your fear.

It’s important to remember these anecdotes of life whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure of yourself. If you’re in the middle of doing something new or juggling a million things at once, it’s easy to feel inadequate and to compare yourself with others.

Whenever you compare yourself to someone else who seems to have it together, you really have no idea what’s going on inside of them. They could be freaking out internally but have an amazing poker face. We only assume that they aren’t bothered or anxious and are in total control of the situation.

Plus, we also tend to make an unfair comparison between the beginner and the master.

When you’re learning something new, it’s natural that you aren’t going to be as smooth and flawless as someone who has been doing the same task for years. If you don’t keep this in mind, it can be a major blow to your confidence.

So, how do you maintain a healthy self-esteem when you’re feeling overwhelmed with a new task?

In business, we call it remembering your “Why”. Your why is the reason that keeps you going when things get hard. It’s the ultimate goal you’re trying to achieve and the reason or emotions behind that goal.

For example, when I was 16 years old, my goal was to get a driver’s license but the feeling behind that goal was freedom. With a license and a car, the world was my oyster! My world expanded with a lot more options because I was willing to stick it out and be overwhelmed and anxious for a short time to ultimately improve my situation in life.

How would your life expand if you could maintain your confidence and achieve your goals?

If you’re not sure how to do that, or if you’d like extra support along the journey, then book a 1:1 session with me. Together, we can clarify your goals, remove any blocks or sabotages to success, and release any trauma or fears related to getting what you want. You can book your appointment HERE.

April Darley is a Confidence and Resilience Coach specializing in helping overwhelmed women release anxiety and doubt so they can become more confident, decisive, and have better quality relationships with others. Through the Three Brain Realignment Technique (TBRT), you'll learn how to step into your own power, and comfortably deal with life's challenges.