Stop Overthinking!

1. Understand the difference between overthinking and thinking things through

When it comes to making decisions, it's important to weigh all the options carefully and come to a reasonable conclusion. Too often, people get stuck in an endless cycle of overthinking, losing sight of what's most important or beneficial at the end of the day. Overthinking is when you become focused on working out all the tiny details instead of the bigger picture, leading to confusion and stress. On the other hand, thinking things through means taking time to consider each potential outcome or option by gathering facts and prioritizing facts for rational decision-making. There are times when it's okay to take longer on a decision, as long as you understand that your thought process must have an endpoint sooner or later. The distinction between these two activities is that one leads to clarity while the other can lead to paralysis.

2. Recognize when you're overthinking and take steps to stop

Overthinking can be detrimental to both physical and mental well-being. It's so easy to get lost in your own thoughts, that it becomes hard to recognize when you’re overthinking. Being aware of this is essential in order to take steps to stop. Learning how to pause, breathe, and come back down to reality is a helpful tool for reducing the amount of time spent overthinking. It's also important to identify what emotions led you down the rabbit hole in the first place; understanding triggers can help you reduce their effects. Taking time for self-care such as meditation or exercise can boost your mood and help break up patterns of overthinking - allowing you to gain control over negative thought cycles before they take over.

3. Make decisions based on what's best for you, not others

It is important to remember that making decisions based on what is right for you should take precedence over what is right for others. Being an individual can be hard, but it is worth it to ensure that the choices you make align with your values and goals in life. It goes without saying that sometimes circumstances mean we cannot do something that benefits ourselves, but as long as our decisions are taken with a focus on what will benefit ourselves first then more often than not we end up in a positive situation. Consider this the next time you are faced with a decision; if it is right for you and only you then don't hesitate to make it.

4. Practice being decisive in small, everyday situations

Making decisions can be daunting, especially if you are a person prone to second-guessing. But with practice, you can become better at being decisive in just about any situation! Start by paying closer attention to situational cues and be mindful of them when making choices. Aim for quicker decision-making as well-- take the necessary time for thoughtful consideration, but don't let yourself become paralyzed by indecision. And no matter what, trust yourself to make the right choice and resist falling back on external affirmation all the time. Practicing being decisive in small, everyday situations is a great way to build confidence and go forward with more decisiveness even when faced with big decisions down the road.

5. Know that making mistakes is part of life - learn from them and move on

Mistakes don’t have to be catastrophic; in fact, some of the world’s most famous and successful people owe their current successes to the mistakes they have made along the way. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are two prime examples. Jobs was famously fired from Apple in 1985 before co-founding NeXT Computer in 1986; at age 30 he had experienced both failure and ultimate success— within five months of launching NeXT, Jobs had made his return to Apple. Similarly, Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard at 19 to start Microsoft with a few school friends. Both entrepreneurs learned valuable lessons from making mistakes that ultimately contributed to their later success. Everyone makes mistakes, but it is ultimately up to us to learn from them and keep striving forward no matter what.

6. Seek out advice from those you trust, but ultimately make your own decisions

Having mentors in your life can be incredibly helpful for gaining valuable insight and advice about your decisions. When faced with a difficult decision, it is important to seek out those you trust and respect for meaningful perspectives from those with more life experience. However, it is ultimately up to you to make the final call as only you can decide what’s best for your own life. While mentor guidance should absolutely be considered, do not hesitate to make the decision that feels most aligned with your own innately wise point of view.