Turning Big Problems into Small Problems

We've all been there — that big test to study for, the event you're planning, that one week when it seems everything has to be a priority.  No matter what the instigating event at hand, we've all been under stress at one point or another.  So much that at some point you wonder if it's all actually going to
turn out alright, or if this time it will all collapse in one epic failure.  As I've gotten older I've come to realize that this is just a fact of life.  Crazy, stressful things are going to occur, and the best that we as humans can do is hope to cope with it in a calm rational manner, and not jump into mall fountains and emerge screaming that you are a kraken from the sea (thank you, Juno). 

My solution to dealing with the stress of an overwhelming situation is to try breaking down the problem into smaller problems.  If I have a party to plan and I'm cooking 12 different things (because there has to be at least 5 winner appetizers, amiright?),  I'll break it down to an order in which to do things, and worry about them one at a time.  If I'm running out of time for something, I will take a moment to inventory what still needs to be done, and prioritize the list.  

Possibly the most important thing to do in any of these situations is to take a moment to breathe, clear your mind, and think clearly about the problem at hand.  In high stress situations it's easy to get wrapped up in chaos and end up frantically doing a bunch of things that don't actually help you achieve your goal.  Stop what you are doing and break the problem down.  It will help you feel more at ease, more confident, and more productive.   It will also make it so that there are small goals to hit before you hit your big goal, which will keep you feeling motivated and ready to take on your challenges!

- The Lovely Red Fox