Being Overwhelmed

I feel overwhelmed right now. This is no rare occurrence in my life. I remember early in 10th grade writing in my journal that I wanted to do many many things. I couldn't limit myself to one or a few specializations:

I wonder what I will do with my life? It seems that there is not enough time to try all that I want. I don’t want to pick one career. This sucks. I want to do everything I ever wanted to do, see what I accomplish. I want to be #1 in the world. I can’t settle. I need to understand everything.

I wanted to have the world in my hands. I wanted experience everything it has to offer. And indeed I also wanted to be subordinate to no one. At that time I saw the world as inevitability hierarchical and so strove to reach the top of that hierarchy. Now of course I see that there are other ways, ways which will not violate Immanuel Kant's categorical imperative.

I now find myself with a similar feeling. Or rather, the feeling never really went away. I still hold those same yearnings I held almost 10 years ago. I still want the world in my hands; or more accurately, in my head. I feel so many projects invading my brain. I want to do them all. But I can't. Yes, I enjoy this weeks reading for my "Worlds of Work" class; but I also want to work on my Social Progress Network Website; and I also want to just think and try to synthesize everything I know; and I also want to go out and spend time cool people, like those I met at this past StartingBloc Institute for Social Innovation in Boston. I am being pulled in different directions, which results in moving in no direction.

So how do I collect myself? How do I get my mind to focus on one task, while not losing sight of the grander picture? How can I pursue my goals within a healthier state of mind--one devoid of the overwhelming feeling?