Does overthinking keep you from doing things?
Do you ever look at someone that is more of a free spirit with envy?
They don’t think before they jump. They just jump. They trust that things will be okay and most of the time things do work out well for them.
Folks that are at about adult age are at risk for overthinking. In fact, about 73% of us are overthinking things at least to some level.
You probably know that it’s not a good thing most or all of the time. Analysis by paralysis they say. But it can also lead to anxiety issues, depression and more.
And if you’re in business it can lead to inaction. That threatens the growth of the business and could leave you without a job.
Sorry to add more concern to your overactive brain…
But here are some ways to overcome your overthinking.
Put The Decision In Context
I know someone that is an over-thinker for some things.
Okay, it’s my mom. She probably wont’ read this anyway so I’m going with this being okay to discuss.
My mom and dad remodeled their house a couple decades ago. At the time they just painted most of the walls basic white. My mom couldn’t decide on the color so they punted until a later date.
They just got those walls painted a few years ago.
That’s an example of overthinking a decision.
And the reason I bring this up is that paint is the ultimate thing that can be changed. You paint a wall one color. If you don’t like immediately just repaint it. If you don’t like it in five years. Repaint it.
Yes there might be some costs or whatever, but for the most part it doesn’t really matter what color the walls are.
And really most things are like this. It might cost you a little money, but you can always change just about everything.
What’s The Worst…
Here’s another one that builds on the last one. It’s immediately going to the worst case scenario.
Have you ever seen the movie The Croods?
It’s a great cartoon. Nicolas Cage.
Anyway, Nicolas Cage plays a prehistoric dad that worries all the time. And it made a bit of sense in their context because there were quite a few things outside their cave that were dangerous.
But over time the character learns to be a little more laid back. There were rewards for going a little more with the flow.
It’s instinctive for many of us to go to the worst possible result for a situation.
Most times the worst result won’t happen. And many times the worst result really isn’t that bad if we take the time to think through it.
I’m not saying that things aren’t difficult. Losing your job. A child becomes ill. Horrible things. But can you get through them and thrive? Many people do and you can too.
Even the worst case often isn’t that bad unless we let our brains overthink to the point of inaction.
Acknowledge & Challenge Your Thoughts
Your thoughts really are just that: thoughts.
I’m a golfer and the mental aspect is a huge part of the game. Oftentimes a golfer will play him or herself out of round before he even hits the first shot.
Before they hit a shot they think about how they’re going to shank it.
But I’ve read and listened to some psychologists that work with golfers. One great tip from one was to focus on thoughts as being almost like a person. Even give them a name.
Get a bad thought? That’s just Bob showing up again. Almost like another personality showing up in your brain. A little devil showing up on your shoulder.
The weird thing is that thinking about your thoughts this way allows you to acknowledge them. Just like if someone walked up and interrupted you.
You can then take a number of different actions.
You can tell them you’re busy and then go back to what you need to focus on. You can save their interaction for later.
When I’ve been on the golf course and a negative thought pops in I’ll say to myself, “Hey Bob. I’m busy right now. Be back to you in a second.”
Usually the thought just moves out of my mind. I don’t even think about it again.
And life goes on just fine.
Focus On Reasons To Be Grateful
There are lots of reasons to be grateful for things in life.
For all kinds of health including mental health. I guess maybe there are just mental and physical health, but mental health is often overlooked.
Lots of bad things will happen in life. Often times really bad things. Everybody is dealing with something. You never know what your neighbor is really going through.
And the thing is that most people in your situation or even in a worse situation have lived gratefully and have thrived.
My mom was a first grade teacher. I remember she would sometimes talk about how kids from very difficult home lives would go on to really do well in life.
Not always, but more than one would think.
These kids certainly had no choice in the matter when it came to the home they were born into.
All kinds of abuse and difficulty.
But many of these kids grew up to be grateful adults. They grew up to love life. Love themselves. Love those around them.
Do you have one thing you’re grateful for? Start there and build on it each day.
Conclusion
This post is about overthinking, but the byproduct is taking action. We often think ourselves to the point where we’re not moving forward. And I like the old saying that if you’re not growing you’re dying. Just like a flower. A flower is only in two stages: Growth and Death.
I’ve seen it with middle aged people. They retire. They stop learning. They stop growing. Not physically but as humans. Mentally.
That leaves only one other option: dying. And many do.
I’m not saying you’ll avoid death. Not possible. But you can live and grow until the day you die.
And with that comes all kinds of great action.
It’s just your choice on what will happen in your life.
