Overwhelm Is A Gift

Jake Luehrs
August 23, 2025

ONE QUESTION

Which of life’s ‘course corrections’ are you labeling as ‘life isn’t fair’?

ONE THING TO PONDER

A lack of patience is nothing more than a present moment frustration.

ONE PERSPECTIVE

One of the reasons I'm grateful for these newsletters is because it gives me an opportunity to look at my own challenges a bit differently.

An obvious statement before you hit reply and chastise me...chronic overwhelm without recovery is harmful. These benefits emerge when overwhelm becomes a catalyst for growth rather than a permanent state.

Life ebbs and flows, seasons begin and end...and at each one of those junctures, we feel a bit uncomfortable simply because things are changing.

The person you're trying to become only emerges when circumstances demand it.

Think about it. When was the last time you discovered something amazing about yourself during a calm, comfortable period?

If you want to be strong, take on more responsibility.

If you want to be patient, change your perspective on the things that cause you to be impatient.

If you want to get clear on what is most important, use overwhelm as a friend to help make high priority decisions.

Here are some upsides to overwhelm:

1. Forced Prioritization: Understand that part of the contribution to what causes anxiety is having a huge to-do list with no priorities. Not everything weighs the same.

What are you currently prioritizing that isn't a priority?

2. Increased Capacity: Your capacity isn't fixed. It's expandable. But you only discover this when circumstances push you past what you thought were your limits.

Remember, it's a moment in time, not a life sentence.

What strengths do you have that you haven't exercised lately?

3. Different Options Get Exposed: You may innovate or discover strategies you wouldn’t have considered under calm conditions.

What creative options haven't you considered?

4. Recognition of Boundaries: It forces conversations about limits, delegation, and saying no that you might have avoided otherwise. Many people discover their non-negotiables only when they're pushed past their breaking point.

Where are you currently neglecting your boundaries? What are you afraid of losing by setting them?

5. Authentic Self-Discovery: When you're drowning, you can't maintain facades or people-please your way through life. You discover what you actually value, who you really are under pressure, and what you're willing to fight for when everything else falls away.

Where are you currently 'people pleasing' because of your fear of upsetting others?

The key insight? Overwhelm isn't inherently good or bad—it's information. It's your system telling you something needs to change. The benefits come not from staying overwhelmed, but from what you learn and how you adapt during those intense periods.

Overwhelm is uncomfortable—but it can be a spotlight showing where growth, clarity, and action are needed most.

Overwhelm doesn’t need to be your enemy, make it your personal trainer.

Onward and upward!

LEAD & LEARN : WEEKLY PICK

PODCAST

How to Work with Anyone Even the Difficult Ones with Ryan Leak

THE ED MYLETT SHOW

One of life’s truths is that we all will have to work with difficult people. At times, we are difficult person. This is a great conversation with Ryan Leak, who is both insightful and entertaining. Working with challenging people can not only make life a bit easier, it can establish great relationships that otherwise would have never flourished! This is well worth the listen!