Have you ever felt like you’re spinning your wheels on a roundabout, unable to find your exit? You’ve got a dozen things on your plate, your mind is racing, and you just can’t seem to find the “off” switch. It’s a recipe for burnout that leaves you feeling more reactive than creative.
In our conversation with Jack Canfield for our Believe & Receive Series, we talked about what overwhelm really is. Jack defines overwhelm as having too many options of things to do and no clear criteria by which to decide which one to do first. It’s not that you lack the ability; it’s that you’re stuck in the “inside lane” of the roundabout, unable to pick a direction.
In the Somatic ReThink system, we know that if you don’t break this cycle, you’re just going to stay trapped in a loop of frantic activity that leads to nowhere.
The Philosophy: Move from Reactive to Creative
When we’re overwhelmed, we’re often just reacting to the world around us. Jack shared a powerful insight from Dan Sullivan: if you take the word “creative” and move the ‘c’ to the end, it becomes “reactive”. When you’re stuck in reactive mode, you’re not making good decisions—you’re just putting out fires.
To break this cycle, you’ve got to start prioritizing. Jack suggests looking at your tasks and delegating the “chicken shit of life”—those draining, low-level tasks—so you can focus on the important work that you’re uniquely gifted at. By clearing your plate, you reclaim your ability to be creative again.
The Nervous System Gap: Why You Can’t “Force” Your Way Through
It’s logical to think, “I’ll just push harder and get it all done.” But the Nervous System Gap tells us why that backfires. When you’re burned out, your nervous system is in a state of high-alert. You’re not just tired; you’re physiologically taxed.
You can’t force a creative breakthrough with a fried nervous system. You need to reset your state, get some sleep, hydrate, and move your body to detoxify the stress that’s built up. The Somatic ReThink isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing the right things in the right order so you can get the predictable results you’re looking for.
The Somatic ReThink: A Guided Walkthrough
This exercise helps you identify your priorities and signal safety to your nervous system so you can move from reactive to creative.
Part 1: The Somatic Exercise (The Reset Breath)
- Find Your Pause: When the overwhelm hits, stop what you’re doing. Stand up, shake your hands out, and take a long, slow breath.
- The “Slow Down” Signal: Place one hand on your belly. Feel your feet on the floor. As you exhale, imagine you’re letting go of the “rush.”
- Scan for Clarity: Ask yourself: “What is the one thing I’m uniquely gifted at doing that will move the needle today?” Ignore the other ten things. Focus only on that one.
Part 2: The ReThink Exercise (Updating Your “Contract”)
After you’ve grounded yourself, use this ReThink process to shift your mindset.
- The Old Thought: Identify the narrative that fuels your overwhelm. (Example: “I have to do everything myself, and I have to do it all right now.”) This is the “Old Thought”—the belief that your worth is tied to how much you grind.
- The New Reality: Now, ReThink this based on the work of Ike Allen and the Somatic ReThink system. Write your New Reality: (“I choose to be effective, not just busy. I have the power to delegate, prioritize, and focus on my unique talents. I trust that by slowing down to focus on what matters, I create better results with less stress.”)
Ready to Go Deeper?
You don’t have to live in a state of constant burnout. If you’re ready to learn how to manage your time, uncover your success principles, and finally get the results you’ve been chasing, click here to join us for our free Believe & Receive Online Series.
There’s nothing you want in life that you don’t have the capacity to pull off—you just need the right system.
Focus, focus, focus,
Ike Allen
Founder of AVAIYA and the Somatic ReThink System