This morning, as I woke up, the entire neighborhood was still wrapped in deep sleep. The long days of the Dutch summer had slipped away; just a few weeks ago, light would have already begun to creep through the curtains. Now, the darkness clung to the early morning, and a cool, crisp air hinted at the changing season. It was so peaceful, almost as if I were the only person awake in the world.
Yet, despite the serenity around me, a familiar surge of anxiety hit—sharp and unrelenting. I felt an overwhelming rush, as though a million urgent tasks were suddenly waiting for me. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t worked during the long weekend I spent with my boyfriend—I had. But the stress was still there, lingering like a shadow, refusing to let go.
This rush of anxiety is something I’ve unconsciously carried from my hardcore entrepreneurial years. Back then, “hardcore” meant working 365 days a year, from morning until late at night, without a single day off. If you’ve read my book, you’ll remember I described this intense period in vivid detail.
It’s been over four years since I said goodbye to that lifestyle, yet its impact persists. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve developed invaluable skills like patience, resilience, negotiation, and diplomacy, which will continue to benefit me for life. However, this old habit of feeling rushed still rears its head, especially in the mornings or when my to-do list is long.
Thanks to mindfulness and meditation,I caught this surge of stress and managed to ease it out. Even during meditation, my mind tried to convince me to cut it short or skip it altogether. “We don’t have time today,” it insisted. But I persisted.
Understanding the Rush Syndrome: How It Affects Your Daily Life
The problem with feeling rushed is that it tricks the brain, turning ordinary tasks into urgent threats. This unnecessary stress disrupts my day, pushing me to cut short my routine and dive headfirst into what seems pressing but isn’t truly important.
This rush syndrome is a survival mechanism, rooted in past experiences where urgency was necessary. However, in modern life, this response often leads to increased anxiety and stress over non-urgent situations.
Effective Strategies to Manage Anxiety and Stress
The problem with feeling rushed is that it tricks the brain, turning ordinary tasks into urgent threats. This unnecessary stress disrupts my day, pushing me to cut short my routine and dive headfirst into what seems pressing but isn’t truly important.
Here’s how my day was scheduled today:
- 06:00 – 06:30: Practicing meditation
- 06:30 – 09:30: Drafting the first version of my blog series—”How to Invest in Frontier Markets in Asia”
- 10:00 – 12:00: Gym
- 13:00 – 15:30: Continuing research and contacting relevant parties about investing in frontier markets in Asia
- 15:30 – 16:30: Preparing paperwork for my trip to Asia—passport, visa, credit cards, cash, business documents, and other essentials
Despite this plan, my brain urged me to skip meditation, cut my gym time short, and dive straight into preparing paperwork for my upcoming trip to Asia. However, preparing paperwork is the easiest task for me, requiring minimal mental effort, and could easily be completed at the end of my working hours. This stark contrast between what my brain perceives as urgent and what is truly important highlights the disconnect between immediate impulses and actual priorities.
By sticking with my planned schedule and using mindfulness techniques, I was able to restore calm and focus on what truly mattered. Reflecting on this, I realized that my anxiety stems from past experiences—times when I was unprepared, stranded without working credit cards, cash, or essential documents. These experiences have left a lasting impact, causing my brain to react strongly to even minor signs of potential disorganization.
Practical Tips to Manage the Rush Syndrome
Based on my experiences, here are some strategies that have helped me manage the rush and reduce anxiety:
1. Prioritize Your Tasks
Start your day by listing and prioritizing tasks. Focus on what’s truly important rather than what feels urgent. This can help you avoid unnecessary stress.
- On days when my energy is low but the workload is demanding, I begin with small, quick tasks that can be completed in under five minutes. Completing these tasks provides an immediate sense of accomplishment and an endorphin boost, helping me gain momentum for tackling more challenging tasks later on.
- Conversely, when I’m full of energy, I tackle the most demanding tasks that require significant mental effort first. As the day progresses and my energy naturally wanes, I shift to simpler, less taxing tasks. This approach helps me maintain productivity and use my energy more effectively throughout the day.
2. Set Realistic Goals
Avoid overloading your to-do list. Instead, set achievable goals for the day to prevent feeling overwhelmed by an unrealistic workload.
- If you tend to overload yourself with tasks, identify the three most important priorities you need to complete, and focus on finishing those first. Allow yourself some flexibility with the remaining tasks; if you don’t manage to complete them within the day, it’s okay to push them to tomorrow. This approach helps keep your workload manageable and reduces stress.
3. Practice Mindfulness
Incorporate mindfulness exercises or quick breathing techniques into your routine to calm your mind when you start to feel rushed. Just a few minutes of focused breathing can make a significant difference.
- Alternatively, a ten-minute walk outside to get some fresh air can be incredibly refreshing and help clear your mind. For more tips, check out my blog series on Eight Easy, Free, and Practical Ways to Lift Your Spirits and Make Your Day More Manageable.
4. Reflect on the Emotional Impact
Acknowledge the emotional toll of constantly feeling rushed. It can affect your relationships, creativity, and even your health. Recognizing this impact can be the first step toward managing the rush.
- When faced with stress, I ask myself a crucial question: Do I want to complete my tasks while feeling happy and content, or do I want to accomplish them while feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Though the tasks remain the same, shifting my mindset can turn my day from a burden into a blessing. Ultimately, the choice is mine.
This mindset has been a lifesaver for me in many situations. Ten years ago, I was stranded in Las Vegas with no working credit cards, no cash, a non-functioning Dutch SIM card, no internet, and no friends nearby. With one night and two days left before my flight back to the Netherlands, I had no money for a hotel, food, or even a taxi to the airport. I was a million levels beyond panic.
In that moment, I paused and asked myself: Do I want to stay panicked and struggle to find a solution, or do I want to stay calm, trust myself, and make a clear-headed decision? I chose the latter, which allowed me to resolve the situation effectively. Ten years later, here I am, safe and sound, writing this blog.
Final Thoughts: Moving Through Your Day with Calm Intention
As I just finished the first draft of this blog and looked out at the slowly brightening sky, I realized that just as the day doesn’t rush to dawn, I too could choose to move through my day with calm intention, not hurried anxiety. The storm within had passed, leaving a clearer, more focused mind in its wake.
So, the next time you feel that familiar rush of anxiety, pause. Take a deep breath, and ask yourself: what truly matters in this moment? Start small—maybe it’s choosing to finish your morning routine without cutting corners. Each time you resist the urge to rush, you’re taking a step toward reclaiming your calm.
