Overwhelmed Before You Begin? You’re Not Alone.

August 27, 2025

Overwhelmed Before You Begin? You’re Not Alone.

Hello Reader

Welcome to Level Up Weekly newsletter, where I leverage 19 years in Stanford tech to help emerging leaders think strategically, build influence, and execute with confidence - so you’re seen, heard and valued where it matters most.

" 𝗔𝗝𝗮, 𝗔𝗝𝗮 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴!”

(Korean for: “You’ve got this! Keep going!”)

Because sometimes, that’s the only mantra you need.

Don’t let that 250+ unread number take you down.

You open the app.

You see the pings.

Your stomach drops.

And just like that—you’re already behind before you’ve even started.

⸻

I recently signed up for a writing and engagement workshop—and felt behind before it even began.

The content? Remarkable.
More depth and generosity than I expected.

The problem wasn’t the workshop.
It was me, already stretched too thin.

I didn’t touch the first week’s lessons.
And by the time Week 2 rolled around, the unread numbers were snowballing like group chat drama.

Course materials. Community threads. Bonus prompts.

Every ping was a reminder:
Everyone else was in. All-in. Disciplined.

Me?
That same damn ping made me want to delete the app entirely.

Between WhatsApp pings and platform notifications, the avalanche just kept growing.
“How the heck did I let it get this bad?”

I wanted to catch up—but I was already drowning before I even got started.

⸻

And then you see it:

“Celebrating 20K followers!”

“My post just went viral!”

Instead of feeling inspired, you sink deeper:

More behind.

More frozen.

More FOMO.

Even when people say “don’t compare,” you can’t help but wonder:

“When will it be my turn?”

Then two things snapped me out of it:

1. A 1:1 with my former manager, who looked at me and said:

“You know you’ll succeed. One day I’ll say I knew her when she was just starting.”
No flattery. No hype. Just clear conviction.

2. A mindset reminder from a lesson by from this workshop:

When growth feels slow, that’s when most people quit.
Think long term. Keep going. Consistency matters.

Perfect timing.

And time to channel my inner K-drama characters who shout: “Aja Aja Fighting.”

What helped me break through the wall:

🔹 Acknowledge the protection mode

Your brain isn’t lazy—it’s trying to keep you safe.

Ask: What’s the real fear here?

🔹 Use the 5-Second Rule—with a twist

(credit to @Mel Robbins)

Count 5-4-3-2-1 and take ONE small action.

I even stuck a giant 54321 on the front of a notebook. It’s my daily dare to move forward.

🔹 Start with time blocks

Forget perfect timing.

Just say: “I’ll spend 2 hours on this today.”

🔹 Remember the two voices

The doubts will always be loud.

Let the believers be louder—

Your mentor who sees your future.

Your community who keeps showing up.

And your own voice saying: “Keep going.”

Final Note

For anyone feeling behind—

drowning in pings, posts, and pressure to keep up:

If all else fails?

Unplug to restart.

As Anne Lamott said:

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.”

You’ve got this.

📓 Today’s Reflection

When you’re drowning in pings, it’s easy to assume everyone else has it together.

But often, the only difference is—they just kept going, even through the mess.

Q to ask yourself:

Where have I stalled—and what’s one move I can make today?

🛠️ Bonus Practice

📒 Try Mel Robbins’ 5-Second Rule:

Count 5-4-3-2-1 and take one imperfect step.

Mine was just reopening the course platform.

Connect with Me

This resonated with you? Share it with someone else who’s feeling behind and need to reset.

Feeling like your contributions aren’t fully recognized?

This quick self-audit will help you assess where you stand, uncover hidden gaps, and identify the key steps to increase your influence, get noticed, and advance your career.. Answer these 10 questions honestly, and use your insights to take actionable steps toward greater visibility, influence, and recognition.

Take the 10 Question Self-Audit for Leaders