“I just need to get through this week” and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves

How often do you find yourself saying, “I just need to get through this week”? If you’re like many small business owners, this thought is on a loop in your mind. You might convince yourself that once you finish that major project, manage your overflowing inbox, or simply survive this busy period, everything will fall into place and you’ll finally feel organized and in control. Spoiler alert: it never gets easier.

In this post, we’ll dive into why this mindset is not only common but also potentially harmful. I’ll share strategies to break the cycle and reclaim your time and energy, ultimately helping you feel less overwhelmed and more productive.

The Cycle of Overwhelm

Let’s face it—you’re a smart, capable person with loads of ideas and ambitions. You want to do everything and be everywhere in your business. Yet, you keep finding yourself stuck in a cycle of deciding which tasks to tackle first and often feeling like you’ve achieved very little by the end of the week. This constant cycle of overwhelm can lead to decision fatigue, affecting not just your productivity, but also your mental wellbeing.

Why Do We Fall Into This Trap?

The reason you might feel like you just need to survive this week is simple: Hope. You convince yourself that once you push through, everything will magically get better. But does it? More often than not, you’ll find that one task replaced by another, creating an ongoing battle against your to-do list.

Take one of my clients, for example. She was the queen of conferences—always saying yes to networking events, believing they would help her grow her business. However, each new commitment just added to her ever-growing list, without any real strategy to manage it all. The more she juggled, the more overwhelmed she became. She would think, “If I can just finish my next presentation, I’ll be back on track,” only to find herself further behind every single time.

Getting Out of the Cycle

So how do we reframe this all-too-familiar narrative of “I just need to get through this week”? A shift in perspective starts with solid planning.

Step 1: Make a List of Everything On Your Plate

The first thing you need to do is name your tasks. Yes, I mean everything. Take a close look at your responsibilities—set aside some time to list every project, client meeting, and even your day-to-day tasks. This exercise will help illuminate just how much you really have on your plate.

1. Write It All Down: Whether it’s a digital app or a classic pen-and-paper method, get all your tasks out of your head and onto paper.
2. Make It Visible: Seeing everything in one place can often be eye-opening. You might realize you’re doing more than you thought—and that’s a good thing!

Step 2: Schedule Like Your Life Depends on It—Because It Does

Once you have a clear picture of your workload, it’s time to actually plan how you’re going to get it done.

• • Break It Down: Don’t just write down big tasks like “launch new offer.” Take it further—include all necessary steps such as creating graphics, writing captions, or planning email sequences.
• • Time Block: Allocating specific hours for each task is a game-changer! Instead of leaving your schedule open-ended, mark when you will tackle each task.

 

Step 3: Be Realistic About Your Week

When planning, make sure you’re designing your week based on reality, not wishful thinking. If you have numerous client meetings, understand that your capacity will be limited. Instead of trying to check off your lengthy to-do list, align your goals with your real schedule.

Step 4: Track Your Capacity

Consider using a capacity tracker or similar tool that helps you visualize the workload you can realistically handle. This way, you can avoid committing to more than you can manage without crashing and burning.

Reducing That Decision Fatigue

Ever feel overwhelmed by choices? It’s called decision fatigue, and it’s common for small business owners like you. By planning your week effectively, you will reduce the number of choices you need to make about what to work on first, therefore easing that mental burden.

The Power of Saying No

Understand that you don’t have to do everything. Saying no is not a sign of weakness; rather, it’s one of the most empowering actions you can take for your mental well-being.

• • Know Your Limits: Evaluate what’s important to you and align new commitments with that.
• • Communicate Clearly: Don’t hesitate to explain your current workload and suggest an alternative when asked for help or to participate in additional projects.

 

Your Action Item This Week

This week, I challenge you to try a new planning approach. Start with a detailed list of everything you want to accomplish, then break it down into actionable steps. Time block these tasks, and pay close attention to how much you can realistically take on.

And if you’re struggling to figure out how to reorganize, remember I’m here to help! My Bottleneck to Balance Roadmap is designed to help you streamline all of that chaos. We can sit down together, create a plan tailored to your needs, and identify any tasks you could delegate, automate, or even drop altogether.

When you are ready to move forward, visit laurenglynn.com/balance-roadmap to schedule your session.

Conclusion

Never fall into the trap of believing that you’ll magically catch up next week. Instead, face the reality of your workload and take actionable steps to regain control. You’ll be amazed at how effective this mindset shift can be.

Remember, it’s not about surviving the week; it’s about thriving in your business—on your terms.

If you found this topic helpful, please leave a comment and share your experiences. I would love to hear how you manage your workload and if these strategies resonate with you.

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