The Sharp Axe Method

An unlikely guide to overwhelm and mental clarity.
This doco features stories from NASA, neuro-economics, and myself. Enjoy :)

HUGE thanks to Shopify for their ongoing support of the channel - check them out here:

Very cool links:

Join my Members club for more (regular) videos:

For more tips on the "Just doing it" section:

Written by Campbell Walker & Billy Guest
Directed by Campbell Walker & Cameron Davies
Produced by Aaron McLachlan & Billy Guest
Edited by Cameron Davies
Animated by John Paine & Shane Croke

Studio:

Get the book, Your Head is a Houseboat:

Shop (apparel and prints, not the book):

My insta/tiktok:

Thanks for watching :)

[struthless]

Tysm for watching!!

Just a lil warning: There is a scammer in the comments with my pfp, so (if you got a second) report anyone with a telegram number claiming to be me doing a giveaway... that said I'm really hoping they paste their scam reply under this comment for premium screenshot value

[mechanarwhal]

You are literally the only person who doesn't make self-improvement sound condescending. "This is just my system. If it doesn't work for you, it doesn't mean there's something wrong with you." - I feel like so many other people could benefit from incorporating this into their advice.

[kerichen]

This was a little overwhelming for me to digest so wrote a list:
1. Declutter Environment
2. Brain Dump
- Stream of consciousness writing
- List all tasks on your mind
3. Categorize list
- Eisenhower matrix (via importance and urgency: do, schedule, delegate, delete)
- What one thing, if done, would make everything else on this list easier?
- Sort by look-alike groups to minimize context switching. Cluster tasks that use similar energy/resources (ex: shopping, writing)
4. Schedule: put tasks on a calendar in a doable way
- Less than 2min? Don't schedule- Do it immediately!
- Plan visually on a physical calendar
- First put in dates that can't be moved (deadlines, birthdays, appointments)
- Schedule double the time you think it takes to do something
- Most important to least important regardless of which I prefer to do first
- Create large uninterrupted blocks of time
- Be ultra specific when writing what needs to be done
- If it looks impossible, ask yourself what it would look like if it were easy? Plan for that
- Plan for average me, not 100% me at my best (be realistic)
- Focus on doing one task until completion
- A good plan is a flexible plan. Be prepared to change everything
5. Communicate
- Let others know what date to expect things from me
- Let others know I am overwhelmed
6. Just do it
- Follow your schedule until you are not overwhelmed
- Cut down your work by doing the work

How to prevent overwhelm: Ask why?
- Say no
- Are you setting ridiculous self expectations?
- Are you procrastinating?
- Ask why again

The mind should not be kept continuously at the same pitch of concentration, but given amusing diversions. Our minds must relax. They will rise back better and cleaner after a rest.

[atlaskatari]

And for my American listeners: Overwhelm is EXACTLY the reason you can't seem to enjoy hobbies, socialize more often, connect with family or friends on a deeper level, and much more. We are NOT supported in our current system — especially those with disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental health struggles (to the point of unemployment), etc. You aren't alone & you aren't broken. YOU'RE OVERWHELMED xoxo

[tonakuma]

The fact that you have the humility to say "I'm just a guy on youtube, cherrypick what works for you." is forever why you're the most amazing person for these type of videos.

[NMLSSneon]

I've got this paralyzing fear of time. The way it just runs out scares tf outta me. So when I have deadlines or other time related issues I get so stressed over it I don't do anything at all. It's weird.

[gardeninginthedesert]

I couldn't understand why I was overwhelmed. I'm not so busy that I can't fit everything in to my day. I have good health, a helpful husband, don't spend hours on social media. Bit after a hard look at my day I realized two apps were constantly demanding my attention, wanting me to do stuff before the end of the day. I deleted them and within 24 hours I felt like a different person. It been a week and that feeling hasn't gone away. I feel so much lighter and happier. Thank you.

[yohaizilber]

I think not enough people realize how dangerous overstimulation can be for our brain, our self-determination and our overall purpose, we've kind of become a temporary storage for all this information we're not meant (or able) to digest. Thanks for the video!

[mimialways]

I have adhd. Everything you mentioned is exactly why I’m struggling with the anxiety of trying to keep up with everything!! Some days if I have the energy, I just want to do it all in one to get it over with! This video is exactly what I need in my life!!!! Cleaning, Decluttering, Organizing, journaling and executing my plans one step at a time.

[Hi_Im_Akward]

I'm not sure if this has been your intention but your advice is so nurodivergant friendly and relatable, and mental health friendly and relatable. It's really needed for me and I just so appreciate it. Not all "productivity" and "self help" advice takes that into account. You're videos mean a lot to me.

[Estarya]

This made me realize something, the people who surround me are in constant state of overwhelm, being in survival mode lead to this sensation of having always too much on your plate.
Trauma can lead to a life where you constantly choose the easy choice because you're overwhelmed in survival mode and dissociating from life in some way shape or form is better/easier but harder on you in some way.
It's crazy all you can get from pausing and asking Why a little.

[descai]

This is actually one of the big problems of social media, not only is it addicting and distracting, it's also overwhelming. Constantly being bombarded with new information as well as stressful news, internet drama, etc gives you a ton to process on top of what you already have to get through in a day.

[bdluejay]

this is becoming my favorite channel to turn to when I feel like I'll never be able to do anything in my life. I have been unemployed for almost a year due to grief and depression, feeling that I can't trust myself to even shower. Between therapy appointments, this channel helps me get started and motivated, when I feel like nothing can go right. The information is presented warmly, kindly, and optimistically, without forgetting that failure is okay and progress isn't linear, and that there are some things simply out of our control. I have struggled with depression over half of my life at this point, and I don't think it will ever truly go away, but I know that I can work to be able to handle it and whatever life throws my way. Thank you for your videos like this, genuinely. They are so inviting and make me feel like I can actually get up and clean my room. 💙

[dylangreyhughes]

I’ve just gone through a pretty serious breakup after 2 years, I’m 19 and I’m going to college for graphic design, my family doesn’t have the most money so I’ve been paying for schooling myself and I just wanted to say your videos have helped me more mentally than anything or one ever has.
I promise your content is making a difference and Im living proof

[Whoischrislewis]

The brain dump is incredible, that’s helped me tremendously, I call it my morning pages and I just write for 30 minutes. Anything and everything that comes to mind. It really helps get rid of some of the constant noise we all experience

[Moonx]

Here are the notes I took so I can try to implement this method :)
How to be less overwhelmed ? Preparing correctly :
1.Environment : cleaning the physical, digital and mental space
2.Brain dump : write a stream of conciousness, then make a list of everything that needs to be done at some point
3.Categorize : for example with the eisenhower matrix, "what one thing, if done, would make everything else on this list easier ?", lookalike groups, priorities...
4.Schedule :
-if it takes less than 2 minutes, just do it right now
-plan visually on a calendar
-put down the dates that can't be moved first (deadlines, birthdays...)
-however long I think it's gonna take, I double it
-put the most important tasks first to the least important, regardless of which I prefer
-get ultra specific when writing what's to be done
-what would this look like if it was easy ? Plan for that
-plan for the average you, not for the best version of yourself
-where possible, focus on doing one task until completion
-a good plan is a flexible plan
5.Communicate
6.Just do it

[matthird]

Just watched this on my lunch break. These last couple work days have pushed me to tears multiple times due to the impossible workload I have to deal with. The stress alone has made me lose 30 lbs this month and I’m seriously at my breaking point. This video helped me realize that I can say no and that I need to start doing it more often. No job is worth that much stress

Thanks man, I mean it

[indiabilly]

Please look after yourself, your content is amazing, you are an amazing human, you work so hard, you have nothing to prove and we will still be here if you need a break xx

[broncoxy]

This was super insightful; I'm a student and I can't remember the last time I was not stressed out and sometimes I feel like any reason is gone, I can't get even the most basic things done. It's good to know that this is not really my fault as it is the situation I find myself in.

[sethdusith]

"I was overwhelmed, so I started doing even more work, in the form of research". Damn dude, how is your solution for too much work being more work. You are one hard worker