Overthinking: A Barrier to Acheiving

We’ve all heard the saying “paralysis by anaysis.” Today we are discussing overthinking. 

Overthinking is thinking for too long. It gets exhausting. You don’t take action. You’re stuck. 

Just a few of the issues overthinking can lead to include: 

• Stress and anxiety
• Decreased confidence 
• Bad sleep 
• And ultimately, not reaching your goals 

There are so many reasons people overthink things (stress, perfectionism, and trauma, to name a few), but the good news is that there are ways to overcome this hamster wheel. Here are a few: 

Set small, actionable goals. Many times, we overthink because we are overwhelmed by a huge goal that seems difficult to attain. Remember that getting to your ultimate goal means achieving smaller ones along the way. 

Talk it out. If you feel like you’re up against the world, know that you can rely on peers to bounce ideas, motivate you, and hold you to action. 

Challenge negative thoughts. This requires you to be mindful of your self-talk. If you find them creeping in, flip your inner script. 

Focus on what you can control. Dwelling on aspects outside of your control is futile. Instead, take stock of the things within your control and make those your focal point.  

Practice mindfulness techniques. These could be anything from meditation to breathing to making a gratitude list. Spend some time away from the challenge to clear your mind and come back refreshed with a new perspective.  

Trust your instincts. Your intuition is powerful, so have faith in yourself. And remember, even if the outcome is short of your goal, you learned and you grew. 

Who is with me?! Let’s let go of overthinking and instead take action!