Overthinking: Winner or Killer?
Imagine this: You’re lying in bed, and your mind is racing faster than your Wi-Fi at 3 a.m. Thoughts about tomorrow's presentation, that email you sent (or didn’t send), or how that joke you cracked in the meeting might have been misunderstood swirl around endlessly. Sounds familiar, right? Welcome to the world of overthinking—a place where the simplest decisions feel like life-or-death choices, and the ability to relax feels as distant as the moon.
If you’re a young professional striving to carve out your niche in today’s fast-paced world, overthinking can feel like your worst enemy.
But, here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be.
In fact, understanding and managing overthinking can be a powerful tool in your arsenal, but you have to learn to do so.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the labyrinth of overthinking, explore the common behaviours most people are facing up to, and contrast them with actionable leadership strategies to help you not only manage your own mental chatter, but also, elevate those around you. Stick with us, and by the end, you’ll walk away with a fresh perspective on how to turn overthinking from a roadblock into a superpower, that fuels your journey, or at least will help you sleep well and calm night in night out. I call it a win!
The Common Behaviours of Overthinkers
Overthinking is like a mental hamster wheel—it feels like you’re getting somewhere, but in reality, you’re just exhausting yourself. Let’s break down some of the most common behaviours that overthinkers exhibit, especially in a professional setting, and explore psychological tips to overcome each one:
Analysis Paralysis Behaviour
This is where you spend so much time analysing options that you end up making no decision at all.
In leadership, this can stall projects, delay team progress, and erode your credibility.
Leadership Action: Learn to make a decision, no matter what.
While careful consideration is important, over analysis can lead to missed opportunities and frustration among your peers. Leaders understand that making timely decisions, even when all the facts aren’t available, is often better than making no decision at all.
Learn to take action, and adjust to the circumstances, as needed. Remember that, it doesn't need something to be perfect to be considered as a win.
Psychological Tip: Set Time Limits for Decisions
To break free from analysis paralysis, set a specific time limit for making decisions, especially for smaller ones. This constraint encourages you to rely on your instincts and prioritize progress over perfection. Additionally, remember that most decisions are reversible, which can reduce the pressure to make the “perfect” choice.
Second-Guessing Every Move Behaviour
Whether it’s doubting the wording of an email or rethinking your choice to speak up in a meeting, second-guessing is a hallmark of overthinkers.
This constant self-doubt not only undermines your confidence, but can also make others question your decisions.
Leadership Action: Rely on your instincts. Learn to trust them.
Practice being decisive, not correct, but decisive. Even, when the path is uncertain. Start small by making quick decisions on less critical matters. Gradually, this will build your decision-making muscles, making it easier to tackle bigger challenges with confidence.
Psychological Tip: Practice Self-Compassion
Second-guessing often stems from fear of making mistakes. Combat this by practicing self-compassion—treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend in a similar situation. Remind yourself that it’s okay to make mistakes and that each decision is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Causing Catastrophe Behaviour
Ever find yourself imagining the worst-case scenario? Overthinkers often leap to the most negative conclusions, which can lead to unnecessary stress and anxiety.
Leadership Action: Shift focus from disaster to possible solutions
Leaders are trained to assess risks but also to balance them with potential rewards, focusing on solutions rather than problems. Instead of dwelling on what could go wrong, train your mind to focus on potential solutions. A tip on that, try to reverse your wording. Change every catastrophic word to its opposite one, its positive one, actually. This, will help you understand the power of your words, as you may experience an instant sentiment shift.
Psychological Tip: Challenge Negative Thoughts
When you catch yourself causing catastrophe ask yourself,
“What’s the worst that could happen, and how likely is it, really?”
Often, simply questioning the validity of these thoughts can deflate their power. Reframe your thoughts by focusing on realistic outcomes and what you can control.
Reliving the Past Behaviour
Overthinkers are notorious for replaying past events in their minds, wondering what they could have done differently. This backward-looking mindset can prevent forward progress and stifle innovation.
Leadership Action: Past is for learning. AND ONLY. (read this again.)
Effective leaders learn from the past but keep their eyes on the future, using lessons learned as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks. Reflect on past experiences, but don’t dwell on them. Use the insights gained to inform future decisions without getting stuck in a cycle of regret.
Psychological Tip: Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness helps you stay grounded in the present moment, reducing the tendency to ruminate on the past. Incorporate mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing or meditation, into your daily routine to help you let go of past events and focus on the here and now.
Seeking Constant Validation Behaviour
Overthinkers often seek approval from others before making decisions, fearing that they might be wrong. This need for external validation can hinder your ability to lead, as leadership often requires making tough calls without consensus.
Leadership Action: Building Confidence is not a sprint.
Confident leaders value input but ultimately trust their judgment. Work on building your self-confidence by setting and achieving small goals. As your confidence grows, you’ll find it easier to trust your judgment and make decisions without the need for constant validation.
Psychological Tip: Develop a Self-Affirmation Routine
Start each day by affirming your strengths and reminding yourself of past successes. This routine can build your inner confidence, reducing the need for external validation.
Even, reliving your worst cases, I am sure you will be able to find yourself doing something right, that's, for sure, a strength of yours for example! Bring such cases back to your mind, and note those behaviours! I call those, "me succeeding in chaos" situations.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
Embrace imperfection, practice decisiveness, and focus on growth rather than past mistakes. By doing so, you’ll not only improve your own leadership skills but also elevate those around you. Remember, the journey is long and it is not about taking the most efficient decision every time, but just taking one and be able to adjust efficiently.
Try not to spend further time on thinking next time, get up and start your continuous learning and self-improvement journey!
Hey, please... remind yourself just a thing.. overcoming overthinking is just one step on that path. It's not the path itself! Your life is the path! Do it for you!
So, take a deep breath, trust yourself, and lead with confidence. The best is yet to come, dear!
Article Quote:
"Only about two percent of one percent of our thoughts deserve to be taken seriously."
