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Why do I feel burnout just by thinking about the project?

I have a lot of projects that include the school projects which I can't seem to finish yet because just by thinking and organizing it is overwhelming and I burned out.

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david’s Answer

Hi, Shaina,
From my experience, those feelings come from spending an excess of time contemplating the projects instead of just doing them. That may sound harsh, and is not my intent. When people have several projects to do, there is a normal tendency to visualize all the complexity and challenges that they present. My suggestion is to start with pencil and paper, list the project is your preferred priority. Then identify the tasks to complete the projects. Once you have the written list, write down your estimate of when you expect to finish each of the projects. Once you have this, you have a plan. By decomposing the projects into written tasks and estimated completion dates, you remove the fear of the projects and are no longer overwhelmed, as you now have it all on paper. Now start. Keep the task list always with you and mark each task as you finish it. Your estimated completion dates may be wrong, but it's now easy to extend them as you learn more on the time required. This is all a learning process and becomes easier in the future, You can do this. I wish you the best. And I commend you for taking on the projects.
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Adrian’s Answer

Hey Shaina! 😊

No worries, feeling a bit overwhelmed with upcoming workload happens to the best of us. One super helpful strategy is to break your project down into smaller, more manageable tasks instead of trying to tackle the whole thing at once. The syllabus can be your BFF when it comes to planning ahead and staying on track. Trust me, I've found that planning can make all the difference in both school and work life!

And hey, remember that you've got resources like student advisors and instructors who are more than happy to help if you need extra guidance. Hope this makes things feel a bit easier for you!

Take care,
Adrian
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TJ’s Answer

Each day in the morning, pick 3 which you think most important , then focus working on them, don't work on other projects. Keep this way each day, your efficiency will be enhanced significantly.
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Daphne’s Answer

Hi Shaina, great question. This is something all of us face from time to time. Your question is really "how do I eat an elephant?" Answer: One bit at a time! Like the others who responded, you prioritize then attack each task one at a time, sticking to it until it's done. If there are some things on your plate that are not a priority, put them aside or decide not to address them at all. We tend to put more on ourselves than we really need to carry. Those to do's that are truly a high priority and must be done, deserve your energy and attention. Those low priorities or nice to do items, either don't get as much effort or any at all.

For instance, if your priority is to provide your roommate a cake for their birthday. You can spend your efforts buying the ingredients, finding time to make the cake and then baking/icing/decorating the cake. Or, you can decide that purchasing a cake might be better. The priority gets cared for but with a controlled amount of effort.

No matter, keep your head up, your goals are achievable, you've got this, go for it!!
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Caitlyn’s Answer

Burnout means you need a break. If you can, focus on the things you enjoy, and do the burnout projects later, but with enough room that you can make the deadlines without making youself crazy.

But sure to schedule downtime into your daily AND weekly schedules where you set everything aside and rest or go do something fun. Take good care of yourself, too - exercise, clean and healthy eating, drink lots of water (3 liters/day), and avoid sugar and white flour.
- Poor eating habits and no exercise will make you feel burned out no matter how much you rest.
- Get plenty of sleep - women typically need 7 and a half hours of sleep every night.
If your self-care is on point, and you still feel burned out, reorganize how you work. Also, be sure the areas you're studying feel good to you. Don't waste your life's energy on things you're not interested in.
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Astrid’s Answer

Make a list of the tasks that need to be executed on the project, rank them be importance (e.g. deadlines, sequence) and then get started executing each task. Breaking it down into manageable chunks helps you see what you're achieving.

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song’s Answer

Hi Shaina, hope you're having a fantastic day!

Here are some friendly pointers that might be of assistance to you:

1. Consider the projects you're currently involved in. Ask yourself, are you genuinely interested in them? If they aren't obligatory, perhaps you could invest more time in the ones that truly spark your interest. When you're passionate about a project, your enthusiasm naturally drives you to put in more effort, leading to successful outcomes.

2. Take your time to reflect on the finer details. Remember, progress is often made in small steps, not giant leaps. Try jotting down all your thoughts - they may not be perfect, but they will encompass all your ideas. Then, you can focus on detailing your plans and taking action step by step. You'll surely see progress in due course.

3. Create a comprehensive project management plan for all your projects, complete with a to-do list and deadlines. Then, simply follow it step by step. Be sure to allow room for adjustments as necessary.

4. Make it a habit to periodically reflect on your successful experiences in managing your projects. Write down your thoughts, discuss them with your peers or mentors - this will greatly aid your growth in this journey.

I hope these suggestions prove helpful to you. Wishing you nothing but the best!
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Katherine’s Answer

The advice shared above is indeed valuable. Here's a simple yet effective strategy that has always worked for me. Start by jotting down everything related to your project - the tasks, the people involved, the deadlines, and the dependencies. Once it's all on paper, you can stop overthinking! By transferring your thoughts onto paper, you free up mental space, allowing you to focus on the tasks that require more brainstorming. While some people find Excel helpful, I personally prefer MS Project Management or Azure Dev Ops. I rely on these tools to keep track of progress while I invest my energy in figuring out the remaining pieces of the puzzle. Remember, everyone has a unique approach that works best for them. By seeking advice, you've already won half the battle.

Best of luck!
You're destined for success!
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Diane’s Answer

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by some of the projects in front of you, especially as they become more complex. First of all, you are not alone. I have felt the same way. In my experience, I have found that by reading and reviewing the project for an overall understanding will help you establish the foundation. When doing this, don't worry about the end solution and how you will get there, but instead understand the need/purpose and what the desired outcome will be. As you do this I encourage you to write down your thoughts and ideas for each project you are faced with. This simple first step will allow you to not feel so overwhelmed and burnt out. You are not trying to figure anything out, you are just trying to understand what the need is and the end state. Take one project at a time and write them down.

Once you feel comfortable, then move on and document what resources you will need and who will be your stakeholders. Start to capture your tasks so you understand what needs to be done to reach your goal. Set timelines you would like to meet and put them n your calendar. I have found that creating lists and being able to "see" your progress and accomplishments keeps me going.
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Lee’s Answer

Sometimes we overwhelm ourselves just by overthinking the project more than the project/task is overwhelming us. The key to tackling any project is your time management and dedicated focus time to it. Try and start by making a list of the tasks needed, or who is needed to be included and then you can chip away at each task. If you have serveral projects or tasks going on at the same time, you should dedicate a specific amount of time to each task instead of trying to do everything all at once. Be sure to shedule downtime as well so you do not burn yourself out. Hydration throughout the day and little walking breaks can also give you an energy boost.
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Michael’s Answer

Hi Shaina - What you are feeling is pretty common and you are not alone. Now is a prefect time for you to learn how to become comfortable with having much to do - and you can do it! As others have pointed out, having a plan is very helpful. More useful in my mind is to START. Personally, I find that once I’ve started work on something, the path forward becomes much more clear and I become less anxious. Good luck!
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Caitlyn’s Answer

Burnout means you you need a break. If you can, focus on the things you enjoy, and do the burnout projects later, but with enough room that you can make the deadlines without making youself crazy.

But sure to schedule downtime into your daily AND weekly schedules where you set everything aside and rest or go do something fun. Take good care of yourself, too - exercise, clean and healthy eating, drink lots of water (3 liters/day), and avoid sugar and white flour.
- Poor eating habits and no exercise will make you feel burned out no matter how much you rest.
- Get plenty of sleep - women typically need 7 and a half hours of sleep every night.
If your self-care is on point, and you still feel burned out, reorganize how you work. Also, be sure the areas you're studying feel good to you. Don't waste your life's energy on things you're not interested in.
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