Why your brain thinks everything is a threat—and what to do about it
If you’ve ever looked at your to-do list and thought, “Everything is important!”—you’re not alone. Especially if you’re neurodivergent, your brain may process tasks with a heightened sense of urgency, making it feel like there’s no clear starting point. That’s not your fault. It’s how our brains are wired.
Your prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for organizing, planning, and managing tasks—is not engaged when you’re overwhelmed. Instead, the limbic system, the more primitive “threat detection” part of your brain, takes the wheel. And when it’s in charge, every task can feel like a fire drill.
Let’s walk through how to interrupt that cycle and make better prioritization decisions, especially during high-stress times.
Step One: Calm Your Nervous System First
You can’t prioritize from panic. Your first move is to get calm.
Try square breathing:
- Inhale for four counts
- Hold for four counts
- Exhale for four counts
- Repeat three times
Other options: calming music, gentle walking, or simply stepping away for a moment. The important thing is to shift your nervous system out of “alert mode.”
Step Two: Dump the Buzzing Thoughts
Do a brain dump. Get it all out—everything that’s circling in your head—onto paper or a screen. Don’t edit or organize. Just unload. Once your thoughts are externalized, they stop feeling like bees buzzing in your brain. This makes room for clarity.
Step Three: Sort and Prioritize With Care
Now that you’re calmer and your thoughts are visible, it’s time to prioritize. If you want help learning systems that work best for your brain, reach out to me—or come to one of my upcoming sessions listed below.
In the meantime, here are three simple yet powerful tips that help anyone (neurodivergent or not) to avoid common time traps:
Three Bonus Time Management Tips
- Don’t answer unknown calls.
Unless you’re expecting one, let it go to voicemail. Most unknown calls are distractions, not emergencies. - Avoid email first thing and last thing.
Starting your day in your inbox puts you in reaction mode. Ending the day in your inbox? It wrecks sleep. Protect your energy. - Be intentional with meetings.
Not all meetings need to be short—but all meetings need a clear purpose. Know why you’re attending and what you want out of it.
If you’re curious how these ideas apply to your unique situation, grab a free consultation with me. We can look at what’s going on and help you make real changes—fast.
Hope to see you soon!
PS: On May 9th, at 1pm EST I’ll be speaking through Lorman.com: Top 10 Time Management Mistakes. This webinar is geared toward professionals but is fully relevant to solopreneurs. If you’d like to come along and would like 50% off the registration fee, register as my guest here.
PPS: On May 12 at 12:00 PM Eastern, I’m handing the reins over during The Overachievers Club as I welcome Ula Caroto, Queen of Rest. Join us as our guest expert explores rest, recovery, and how high performers can use downtime to accelerate progress. No cost, and you must register HERE.