1. When we fail to allow enough time for the unexpected, tasks pile up and all of a sudden we find ourselves anxious or struggling to stay above water.

 

2. There is some specific "to-do" that you just don't like doing. That single to-do is ignored more than any others, until it gets to a point of "crisis," and must be dealt with.

 

3. The project seems insurmountable - since we don't know where to start, we just don't start.

 

4. Like today's quote, we confuse PLANNING with DOING and spend too long in the planning phase and not enough time in the action phase.
 
Regardless of the source of your "overwhelmed feeling" the quickest way to release it is through action. Even five-concentrated minutes on a task will help us to feel we have control over the "to-do" versus it controlling us.