How to Stay Productive When You Feel Overwhelmed

Welcome back to my LinkedIn newsletter! Let’s face it—sometimes, life and work converge into a perfect storm of too much. You’re juggling client demands, personal responsibilities, long-term goals, and possibly even the hope of squeezing in some rest. If you’ve ever felt like you’re barely keeping your head above water, you’re not alone. That’s why this edition is focused on a critical (and timely) question: how can we continue to be productive when we feel overwhelmed?

In a Q&A discussion I had with our Recognized Expert group, we explored this topic in depth when it comes to what to do when you’re feeling maxed out, how to make progress anyway, and why giving yourself grace might be the most strategic move of all. Here are some insights that stood out:

Understand the difference between busy and bonkers

There’s a difference between being “normally busy” and what I call “bonkers busy.” Normally busy means your plate is full, but you’re managing. Bonkers busy is when you’re overwhelmed to the point that adding anything else feels impossible. When you recognize that you’re in a bonkers moment, the best move may be to pause and stabilize, not push harder. It’s not laziness, it’s strategy. Waiting for the right time to execute your big idea (like writing a book or launching a course) can be smarter than forcing it in a moment of chaos.

Think in waves, not straight lines

Progress doesn’t have to be linear. Sometimes the best way to move forward is to step back, regroup, and wait for the right window. I explore this idea in depth in an entire chapter of The Long Game, where I talk about the importance of leveraging strategic patience to make progress on larger goals with the right timing. During our discussion, I shared that when I was planning to write my latest book, I didn’t jump into it during an already packed stretch of speaking and consulting. I waited until there was a window where I could prioritize creative thinking. Instead of forcing productivity at all times, recognize and plan for seasons of momentum—and seasons of rest.

Use accountability and community to stay grounded

One of the best antidotes to overwhelm is realizing you’re not in it alone. Several community members shared how being part of a regular group like our Recognized Expert community or accountability partners helped them stay accountable to their goals and maintain progress even when things got hectic. Whether it’s a peer group, a writing partner, or a friend who checks in weekly, community can help you keep your commitments to yourself.

Make small shifts that create more space

Even when your time feels maxed out, small tweaks can make a big difference. That might mean carving out one uninterrupted hour a week for deep work, turning off notifications during a creative sprint, or batching tasks that drain you. Don’t underestimate what a single well-protected window of time can unlock. As one member in our discussion noted, “That hour was the only thing I could hold onto—and it’s how I wrote my book.”

Feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you have to give up on your goals. But it does mean you may need to adapt your strategies, protect your time more fiercely, and prioritize progress over perfection.

If you’d like more ideas for staying focused, building momentum, and getting your work into the world, join my email list at dorieclark.com/subscribe.

Wishing you health and success,

Dorie