What to do when you can’t copeIT’S ALL VERY WELL striving for a can-do attitude, but that (with not being able to say NO to requests for help, or turn business away) can get you in too deep.

Christmas is a classic point in case. It’s at the same time every year, but somehow it always sneaks up on us. And when the panic starts to set in, we think that just working harder, or not sleeping for 72 hours will make it all go away. It won’t.

But following this simple process in Whitney Johnson’s recent Harvard Business Review blog post will.

So, before you drown in emails and lost opportunities, try sending out an SOS (or Stop, Organise, and Secure).

(1) StopWhen you’re up against it, and panic is setting in, the most natural thing to do is tell yourself to work harder. Right?

Wrong. It doesn’t matter why you’re overwhelmed (or how it happened in the first place), don’t make things worse by acting without thinking. Just STOP, stand still, take a breath and give yourself time to THINK. As much as anything, Johnson says you’ll conserve your emotional and physical reserves and preserve your political capital (or credibility).

(2) OrganiseOnce you’ve hit the pause button, take a few deep breaths and calm down, because it’s time to ORGANISE.

Johnson says take time to assess the situation and figure out what will make you buoyant again. How far are you from the shore (your deadline)? How deep is the water? And do you even need swimming lessons, or a lifeguard?

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(3) SecureOnce you’ve pinpointed your location, and what will get you to shore, the final ‘S’ stands for SECURING. Stop floundering,

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(wo)man up and ask for help. Perhaps your HR team can find youan internal mentor. Business owners could work with an external coach to plot a new course – or team up with a support service like ours to plug any skills gaps, or offer a spare pair of hands.

Xmas Checklist before you shut up shop• Ensure that partners, suppliers and customers know when you will be away from the office.

• It’s a bit of an obvious one, but check your diary to make sure there are no meetings scheduled while you’re away.

• If you’re taking extended leave, make sure you have a plan for delegating tasks that you usually handle.

• Set up an email auto-responder to send automated replies to anyone contacting your business email. Include the dates you’ll be away and if you’re a tradesman, include your mobile no. or maybe even contact details for someone who might be able to help while you’re away.

• Update your voicemail greeting with the dates you’ll be out of the office and redirect calls to a team member or call-minding service while you’re away.

• Finally, empty the fridge before you go. (It’s amazing how quickly milk can turn into stilton…)

Don’t beat yourself upThe key to staying buoyant is not to see being overwhelmed as a failing. Being “swamped” is a good thing – it shows you’re ambitious, for yourself and your business.

Your only “crime” is to have bitten off more than you can chew. (Besides, if you aren’t in over your head, how can you really know how tall you are, and how much you can really cope with.)

But stress is the gift that just keeps on giving if you don’t tackle it. So make your New Year resolution to secure the support you need from the BUSINESS NANNY lifeguards…

Wishing you a well-earned break, and here’s to a happy and successful 2014.