Each week for at least 52 weeks, you will receive an email that will give you access to a page such as this one. Several formats will be used, e.g., sometimes a case study will be featured and other times, there will be tips and additional resources for you. I might pose questions for you to ask yourself (or others) and you might get a list of things (tangible and otherwise) that you need to eliminate. It will be useful every week, I promise.
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Here’s a sample of what you'll receive via email each week...
You do have a choice (most of the time).
Let’s tell the truth. Most of the time (although not ALL of the time), you have a choice about whether you are underwhelmed, overwhelmed, or just whelmed. Human beings, particularly smart human beings such as the ones who subscribe to “Just Whelmed,” get to make choices about who they spend their time with, how they invest their time, what they purchase, etc. This week’s focus is on recognizing when we are choosing to put ourselves in under- or overwhelm.
For the next few days, notice when you are either under- or overwhelmed. Either make a mental note or make a physical note. Assess whether any aspect of the situation was under your control. If it was, how will you take control next time? Is there anything you can do right now to take control?
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Overwhelmed
You’re in “overwhelm” when you feel overcome, engulfed, flooded, inundated, overpowered, swamped, frantic, frenetic, or completely shut-down. How do you know when you’re overwhelmed?
Whelmed
You are “whelmed” when you are productive, energized, challenged,
and operating “in the zone.” This is THE place to be, whenever
and however possible.
Underwhelmed
You’re in “Underwhelm” when you feel frustrated, disappointed, discomfited, lethargic, and/or unfocused. |
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Marleen is all about excellence. Her work is outstanding, her physical presence conveys strength and confidence, she goes above and beyond what is expected in nearly every situation, and she expects excellence of herself, her students (she’s a professor) and her colleagues.
For many years, she was part a group that also expected excellence and Marleen was proud to be part of this department and this working group. Over time, however, the standards started to slip—and soon, only a handful of people were pulling together to require excellence from students and from each other. Marleen was underwhelmed (disappointed and frustrated) week in and week out, month in and month out—until she finally identified what the issue was.
At a lunch meeting one day, she said, “I used to be proud to be part of this department and to encourage others to join us or to come be one of our students. Now, although I’m not exactly embarrassed, I know I can't be part of something that isn’t excellent any longer.” For herself, she had hit the nail on the head when she identified what was causing her to be underwhelmed.
But now what? |
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In Marleen’s situation, she took fairly strong action by determining a way to restructure her position so that she was only part time in her current department, and then part time in another position at the university, which was also striving toward excellence.
To do this, she had to come to grips with what she needed and then have the conversations with family, colleagues, and administrators who could support her in making the changes.
It wasn’t fast and it wasn’t completely smooth, but according to Marleen,
“It was worth it! I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t made the change.”
So, now back to you….
- Choose just one area where you are either OVERwhelmed or UNDERwhelmed. It can be something small or something fairly significant.
- Assess how much control you have over the situation (or are you just letting the situation have control over you?).
- Determine just one action that you can take to regain at least a portion of control over the situation. For example,
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Do you need to have a conversation with someone? Who? Call and set up an appointment. |
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Do you need to decide to resign from a particular committee or club? Once decided, then write the letter, send the email, or make the call to do so. |
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Do you need to put earplugs in your ears and go to bed earlier? |
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Do you need to join a group of upbeat, positive folks that gets together at least once a month? Figure out who that group is and take steps to join (or even form) such a group. |
To reiterate, the idea is:
- Choose just one area.
- Assess your level of control.
- Determine one action you can take.
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