When you’re overthinking, you’re using a huge amount of mental energy and usually making very little progress. What if you could corral all those mental resources into a powerful flow state? You’d be blazingly productive!
Part of the issue is being entranced by the thrill of going in so many directions mentally.
It acts like productivity, but it’s really an extreme version of shiny object syndrome. I know some folks believe they have ADD, but the stimulation levels of our internal and external worlds give us all ADD. We all need strategies to balance out the thrill of our mind going 1000 directions with putting our mind to good use for the greater good.
There are a couple of main reasons our minds race, and often it’s a coping mechanism for something deeper. One of my “favorite” over-thinking habits is logisticsizing, for friend gatherings, travel, or if I run out of logistics, texting. I’ve learned to ask myself…” what are you really doing right now?” Rarely is the answer a legit need to plan; usually I’m running from something…I’m about to do something that takes extra courage like that phone call to a big-name person, it’s more comfortable to play small.
I propose that the main reason you’re over-thinking is that it serves as a distraction from playing bigger. People who don’t have issues just get shit done, the rest of us have to overcome self-limitations such as overthinking to get shit done.
Start by overcoming your distraction habits in the thinking department so you can focus and actually accomplish your goals, and make progress towards the life experience you most desire. Including the highly sought-after Peace of Mind.
Just asking yourself the question is better than continuing bad habits and thwarting yourself from making progress.
How am I playing small? Why am I allowing overthinking and mental distraction? What does it take for me to feel focused?
Below is a 12-minute video that gives you 3 easy and fun places to start gaining some mental space so you can actually make forward progress. Learn about free-writing, identifying your mental scattering habits, and the benefits of solving one problem at a time.
Get my top 7 tips for calming your overthinking, such as calming fears, simplicity, and my mental peace mantra by scrolling down to the end, where you’ll find an invitation to join my community.
Identify low-hanging fruit in the causes of your overthinking and change your habits. With more stillness in your mind comes greater focus and productivity increases, which will reduce your stress and worries.