The Overload Syndrome: Learning to Live Within Your Limits

by Richard A. Swenson, Thomas R. Steagald

Anyone living in today’s society knows the struggle of trying to handle busyness. You feel tired, stressed, and burned out. These symptoms are signs that you’re suffering from the Overload Syndrome. This book of the same name examines where overload comes from and what it can lead to, while offering prescriptions to counteract its effects and restore time to rest and space to heal. Find the secrets of time management while examining your priorities and seeking God’s will.

Genres: Nonfiction, Personal Development, Christian Living, Self Help, Health, Professional Development, Personal Growth

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

Reviews

[Liberty {LittyLibby} · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life, way back when I had a a preschooler and two elementary-aged children. We home-schooled, took care of thoroughbred race horses for our landlord, had a menagerie of farm animals and gardens, were heavily involved in teaching church classes and volunteer activities, and had multiple different extracurricular activities for the children, plus actually homeschooling and running a home! Life was crazy, I was struggling to juggle it all, and juggle it well. This book changed all of that.

After reading this book, I changed my scheduling habits drastically. I gave myself permission to say no to things. I taught this concept to all of my children, especially when they were learning to launch in their own lives. I use the precepts in this book as a business owner, when I'm training new employees, and juggling responsibilities in the workplace.

There are so many productivity and time management books on the market right now, but this happens to be the one that changed my life for the better. I'm an enneagram type 1, which means I'm always on the lookout for a new system by which I can live my life more productively. The ideas in this book worked so well for me, without causing more undue stress or adding to my to do list. On the contrary, it created a more peaceful home, a more peaceful life, and calmed the harried lifestyle I was living.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should probably re-read it already. The ease of getting things done ensures that you keep trying to get more done, and then frustrated because there are still things to do....Suffice to say, it's just as important as it ever was to rest from your labors and pray that they be made effective. It's unimportant to get caught up in the idea that you might suffer because you've left something undone. Life comes with mess, and saying "no" is a necessity.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book...it's the kind I'll need to read over and over to truly absorb all the good advice and wisdom. First of all, I've learned that I need to create margin in my schedule. That I should give myself more time to do something than I think it will take and I should not fill my entire day (duh. right?). I also began to think about stuff that we all take for granted in a different way, such as the telephone/cell phone. I don't have to be at everyone's beck and call. I can own the phone and choose when to answer and when not to answer. So many good things in this book. If you find yourself going a zillion miles per hour a day and feeling empty inside, READ IT! Then, heed it.

[Craig Houston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, because it was providentially given at a time when I was overwhelmed by life and ministry. Though I may not agree with every specific recommendation, I think Dr. Swensen makes a strong case that we are so overloaded by stuff that we can't enjoy the life that God has given nor the people that he has placed in our lives.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard A. Swenson is more known for his book “Margin” as it is also referenced in this one and tackle a few of the same things. This book is a practical guide on how to get rid of the overload in every aspect of life. It’s main focus is on giving advice, and does that in 175 chunks delivered trough chapters on different situations. The content feels a bit outdated, but it does not matter much. A few advices as well, but it is mostly transferable to modern standards - unless of course, you are still struggling with how to clean cookies on your windows 95. Then you have other troubles.

It’s not really a book for the ages, so my rating would be 3.5, but I think it’s still well written and good enough to give insight and help into some aspects of life struggles.

[Marice Mercado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definite Concrete Points to take (personally that is):
1. Put more control in MY life. I might not have control over an event but I do have control in how I respond.
2. The more choices, the more things to analyze.
3. It is ok not to know. It is ok to be finite. Give myself a break.
4. Remain humble. Having access to eduction does not give us extra credit with God, only increased responsibility.
5. Ruthlessly eliminate hurry. Take your time and create margin in life.

[Susan Millard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made a lot of good points when it comes to our overloaded lifestyles today. Page after page I found myself nodding my head as I read one area after another where I have let life overburden me. I say let but some of it is my fault for being a people pleaser. I am working on curbing that impulse these days. I took note of all the ways that overburdening can take place - some I was not conscious of but upon becoming aware of the various ways it can sneak into your life I feel armed with extra knowledge that will help me cut back further on the overwhelming stack of busyness. It is a mission of mine now to calm my life down to the point where I can spend my time on things that matter to me. I would encourage anyone who is constantly busy to scrape out the time required to read this book. It will pay off in big dividends.

[Lorenzo Ruiz Wahyu Abimanyu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dalam dunia yang berubah dengan kecepatan luar biasa, buku ini memberikan saran-saran untuk dapat hidup dalam margin demi terhindar dari sindrom kelebihan beban, sindrom yang menjauhkan kita dari arti kehidupan yang penuh kasih.

[Gary Madonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this while in tumultuous times at work. Trying to balance life. This book helped. Written by a physician.

[Al Hoeft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important book but perhaps a little dated. Time for an updated version?

[Niel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Christian focussed book on managing workload and avoiding burnout. There were many helpful guides to managing and changing one's lifestyle to avoid falling into these traps.

[Chris Frakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book (especially as a preface to a class on surviving & thriving in seminary). Examples are a bit dated but the truth is timeless.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book too, although it's similar to the other book of his that I read ("Margin"). This one focuses on the many areas that we are often overloaded (work, possessions, choices, hurried-ness, media, etc) ...some apply to me more than others, but I can see the effects on our culture everywhere from the amount of overload we are all dealing with. He gives lots of practical ideas of what to do, some are more drastic than others, but if you're going to really get rid of the stress of being overloaded, sometimes something drastic is really necessary. This was written in the 90s as well (although later than the other book), so again, I found it a bit weird to read some very time-specific references (even 'cassette tapes', which were already on their way out in the 90s, but I do remember having them still in the mid-90s), but the message is still the same today, probably to even a stronger degree.

Anyway, after reading these books, I'm definitely re-committing ourselves to scaling back and slowing down.

[Melodie Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me reflect on how our busy, multi-tasking world of really bad for us. Slow down and enjoy life. Besides explaining how stress was once necessary to save human life (and it still is in many respects), this book explains how being in that mode constantly is why we cannot enjoy our lives. It is a good read and well worth the money.

If you are struggling with stress--which I didn't realize I was—this book will help you. If you feel like you are not enjoying your hobbies, this book will help you. If you can't enjoy the little things in life—this book will help you.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALL OF US TYPE A personalities need to read this book! Christian-based.

[Melissa Corrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book for this day and age when everyone is so busy. We don't always have to do it all or be it all.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

Practical, but a little boring and surface

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on learning to live within your limits and have something left over at the end of the day!

[Autumn Klepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooooo much practical wisdom in this book. I will probably read again down the road....or at least skim through all of my highlights and notations.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good and needful read. Life changing. At times it does seem dated, but still strong truths.

[Sarah Hartfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book for dealing with burnout