Episode 2 Conquering Overwhelm

Feeling overwhelmed by endless to-do lists, constant distractions, and the pressure to keep up? What if the solution to regaining control of your life lies not in doing *more* but in focusing on what truly matters? In this episode, we explore powerful lessons on conquering overwhelm, including why clarity beats chaos, how timeless habits create lasting success, and why putting pen to paper might be the secret weapon your brain needs. Ready to break free from overwhelm and build your best life? Let’s dive in.

Youtube embedded video

Podcast embedded 

Welcome to the Franklin Planner Podcast. I'm your host, George Wright, the Third, and this is the podcast where we give you the strategies, tools, and resources to lead your team and create your best life. And today's episode is all about conquering overwhelm because, let's face it, we're all juggling more than ever before.

So joining me is none other than John Harding, owner, board member, and Franklin Planner expert. John, how are you doing today?

I'm great, George. Great to be with you. I'm excited to dig into this one today.

Yeah, me too. I couldn’t agree more. And, you know, John's here to help us unlock the power of planning, journaling, and focusing on what really matters most.

‍

Why Does Overwhelm Feel Like the New Normal?

So let's kind of get started here. John, let’s start with the problem. Overwhelm seems like the new normal for most of us, right? Between endless to-do lists, constant notifications, and competing priorities, it feels like we’re barely keeping our head above water. So what’s really driving this whole sense of overwhelm right now?

Let me give you a little background. I thought as we were planning this today, I'd just go and give you some definition. So when you hear that term, you may know it, but many people don't. They might think overwhelming, but let me give you some clarity.

The term "overwhelm" refers to a state of being emotionally, mentally, physically, and otherwise overcome by an excessive amount of stimuli, tasks, and challenges. It feels almost impossible to manage. It often results in feelings of helplessness, stress, and anxiety. That’s a pretty heavy load, isn’t it?

Oh, yeah. Yeah. And that’s what most people are feeling—it’s that heaviness, right?

Exactly. Now I’ll just add two more quick points. Overwhelm is a pervasive problem. It’s driven by three major factors in most cases.

First, a lack of clarity. People don’t have a clear sense of what truly matters to them and who matters to them.

Second, a sense of overcommitment. At least in our Western society, we live in a culture where we’re used to saying "yes." It could be at work, at home, or in the community. We get ourselves into too much.

And third, a huge issue that emerged over the last 20 years—constant digital distractions. It’s an endless stream of information, decisions, and interruptions.

Yeah, and I think most people can relate to all of those things because, you know, a lack of clarity definitely makes people feel overwhelmed. And I know for a fact that most of the entrepreneurs I talk to, especially leaders, are overcommitting. They’re spending too much time on things that aren’t even important. Not urgent. Not important. And, of course, the distractions.

It sounds to me, you’re saying—and in our conversations, we’ve talked about this—it’s not just about managing your time. It’s about your priorities and focus. It’s about clarity. So how do you address that?

‍

The Real Solution to Overwhelm

It’s about managing your priorities and your focus. In a way, it’s not just a scheduling thing. It’s knowing where you’re headed and how to get there.

Here’s where I want to dig in a bit deeper—specifically on digital distractions. The decision overload we experience today is insane. If you study what’s happening in the brain, we’re making far too many decisions, thanks to technology. And here’s the kicker—technology has no respect for your priorities. It demands your attention now.

That’s where it increases stress. The constant pull on your focus, the decisions, and the stress just drain your energy. So it becomes this cycle: decision overload → stress → energy drain.

If you look up the root definition of “overwhelm,” it’s fascinating—it literally refers to a sense of being under, like being underwater, unable to get up.

I’m glad you mentioned that because I think most people need to understand—you have to dissect the problem before you can solve it. So what we’ve talked about here: lack of clarity, overcommitment, and digital distractions. But what people are experiencing is decision overload, stress, and an energy drain. It’s not just about time management—it’s about being intentional.

So let’s shift gears here and move into the solution we’ve talked about—this idea of aligning your life with what matters most. Talk us through that and maybe tie it into how the Franklin Planner helps someone create clarity and focus. Having a tool or resource gives you a bit of a crutch, right? A little extra support. So let’s wrap that all together.

‍

A Proven System to Break Free from Overwhelm

Yeah, I’d love to. Think of this: the Franklin Planner, which was started by Hyrum Smith and strengthened by Stephen Covey, has been helping people for 40 years. Over 15 million people have used this system.

Here’s what we’ve learned from those people—individuals and organizations—about conquering overwhelm:

1. Define who matters and what matters most.
This is where clarity begins. It’s about answering fundamental questions: Who do you want to be? What life do you want to create? If you’re a leader, where do you want your team to go? This isn’t just for companies—it’s for individuals, too.

2. Structure your life around daily and weekly actions.
Our lives naturally follow a daily and weekly rhythm. Whether you realize it or not, day and night, week and weekend—it’s an unbelievable structure to organize your goals. You take step-by-step action toward your vision.

3. Write it down. Use pen and paper.
Here’s where technology takes a backseat. Writing by hand—using paper—engages the brain in unique ways. It boosts memory, creativity, and deep thought. Writing focuses your mind and helps you push away distractions.

Know who you are, take each day and week intentionally, and write it down. That’s the foundation.

Yeah, that’s a great foundation. And, you know, the more you and I have talked about this over the last year or so, the more I’ve brought this into my own life. I realized that when I start my day, my week, my year with “who matters most, what matters most,” and then bring that into my planning—while incorporating the handwritten process—it transforms how I feel and how I work.

Most people are just on autopilot, right? This helps you step off that hamster wheel and become intentional.

‍

The Power of the Seven Habits in Overcoming Overwhelm

So now that we’ve talked about the foundation—defining who and what matters, taking intentional daily and weekly actions, and writing it all down—how do the principles from Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People fit into this? How do these habits layer onto that foundation to help us deal with overwhelm?

That’s an interesting question. You know, when you think about Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s 7 Habits, his book is the number one bestseller worldwide for personal effectiveness. It’s about powerful lessons in personal change, helping you grow and become effective.

What’s interesting is that before he even introduces the seven habits, he spends a lot of time setting up this idea of taking charge of your life and using self-evident principles to guide your decisions. These habits, when applied intentionally, really help you break through that feeling of overwhelm.

Now, just for time’s sake, let me focus on the first three habits. Covey calls these the Private Victory—habits that allow you to master yourself. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, this is where you start.

Habit 1: Be Proactive.
This habit is about taking responsibility for your life and your actions. It’s recognizing that you have the power to choose. Instead of reacting to everything happening around you, you focus on what you can control—your circle of influence. When you’re proactive, you stop feeling like life is happening to you. You realize you can take charge.

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind.
This is about defining your vision—who you are, what you want to become, and what goals matter most to you. It’s creating a clear picture of your ideal future. Covey talks about envisioning your life as though you’re looking back at it when you’re 80 years old. What do you want to have achieved? Who do you want to have become?

Habit 3: Put First Things First.
This habit is where it all comes together. It’s about aligning your daily and weekly actions with your priorities. Covey introduces the time management matrix here—focusing on important tasks over just urgent ones. It’s the discipline to focus on what truly matters most and minimize distractions.

I actually like the order of those habits because people need to understand—you are the one who creates your life. Taking responsibility (habit 1) is the starting point. Then, when you’ve defined your vision and goals (habit 2), you align your actions and focus on what matters (habit 3). That’s how you break through overwhelm.

Exactly. It’s a sequence that works. And these three habits are foundational because they help you achieve that Private Victory—mastering yourself and creating clarity in your life.

‍

The Michael Phelps Approach: Visualizing Success

It reminds me of something we were talking about before the show—Michael Phelps. He’s the most decorated Olympian of all time, winning 28 Olympic medals, 23 of them gold. I remember reading that he used visualization and goal-setting to achieve his success. Can you confirm that? What do you know about it?

Yeah, absolutely. Michael Phelps is an incredible example of this. He didn’t just train his body—he trained his mind. He used visualization to see himself achieving his goals before he ever stepped into the pool. He created a clear vision, broke down his goals, and worked relentlessly toward them.

And this ties back to what we’re talking about:

• Having a vision (habit 2: begin with the end in mind).
• Structuring your actions around that vision (habit 3: put first things first).
• Taking responsibility for your progress (habit 1: be proactive).

It’s a formula for success, and it works whether you’re an Olympian, a business leader, or someone trying to regain control of your personal life.

And let’s be honest, most of us start the year—or even the week—with great intentions. But then life pulls us in every direction, and we feel overwhelmed. That’s why these principles matter. When you combine foundational habits with a tool like the Franklin Planner, you can overcome external distractions, align your focus, and achieve success. It’s like what Michael Phelps did—you stay clear, committed, and intentional.

Exactly. That’s why intentionality is the key to unlocking your best life.

‍

Why Paper Works Better Than Digital

John, before we wrap up, there’s one topic I want to dig into because I know this comes up a lot: Why use a paper planner or journal instead of going digital? Most people feel like digital tools make them more productive, but we know that digital distractions are also part of the overwhelm. Can you explain why paper works better?

Yeah, that’s such a good point. When digital technology came along, many people shifted to screens, thinking they were faster and more efficient. And it’s true—digital tools are fast. But here’s what science says about handwriting and paper planning:

1. It improves memory and retention. When you write things down, your brain processes the information more deeply, making it stick.
2. It boosts creativity. Writing by hand engages parts of your brain that digital tools don’t, sparking deeper thought and new ideas.
3. It reduces stress. The act of handwriting creates focus and calm, pushing away distractions.
4. It increases goal achievement. When you write a goal down, your brain immediately begins solving for it. It’s like activating a switch that pushes you toward action.

Paper planners also don’t distract you with notifications. They’re focused, intentional tools that allow you to tap into your best thinking.

Yeah, and one thing I’ve realized is that you can’t multitask when you’re writing by hand. It forces you to focus. So if for no other reason, that’s a huge benefit in today’s distracted world.

Absolutely. Writing by hand taps into your creativity, engages your brain more effectively, and helps you stay grounded in what matters most.

‍

Final Takeaways

All right, John, we’re running out of time. If you could leave our listeners with one key takeaway from today’s episode, what would it be?

I’d say this: Take control of your life. Face overwhelm head-on by creating clarity about who you want to be and what matters most.

There’s nothing more inspiring than dreaming about the life you want to create, and nothing more energizing than taking small, daily steps to get there. Whether you’re an individual or a leader of a team, these principles will help you tap into your brilliance, draw out your potential, and make the impact you’re capable of.

I love that. And for our listeners, if you want to start conquering overwhelm, check out tools like the Franklin Planner at franklinplanner.com. These tools, combined with the timeless principles we’ve discussed today, will help you overcome overwhelm, clarify your goals, and unlock your best life.

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, share it, and leave us a review. We want to know what you’re working on and what challenges you’re facing so we can help. Remember, the path to clarity and focus starts with a single step. So take that step today, and we’ll see you in the next episode.

‍

IMPORTANT LINKS:

‍