How to stop overthinking

Five smart questions to stop overthinking.

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How do you know you're overthinking something? If you're used to overthinking everything to death, you might be so familiar with this that it feels normal. Like a habit. Nothing special. It's just part of your everyday life.

But when you're working for yourself, you don't have time to mull things over for days and weeks. Plus, it's also draining. Here are five powerful questions to help you gain the insights and clarity you crave.

1. HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU'RE OVERTHINKING?

That's the first question I ask my clients. How do you know that you're overthinking? They say things like, 'I can't make up my mind.' 'I feel drained.' 'I keep spinning around in circles.'

Yes, for sure, all of the above can be part of the pattern, but the thing that really gives it away is that nothing is happening. You're not taking action. Zero progress. So that is how you know that you're overthinking: everything stays the same.

2. WHAT'S THE EASIEST WAY YOU CAN DO THIS?

This question alone cuts overthinking in half because. . . . . most of us overcomplicate everything with complicated thoughts. Like the client who told me she couldn't write a book before she had a bigger office and could afford a new Mac. Classic overthinking. Classic overcomplicating. Super normal. So I asked her, 'What's the easiest way you can start your book?' She held up a pen and paper. Bingo!

"Overthinking is the art of creating problems that weren't even there." - Anonymous

3. WHAT'S WITHIN MY CONTROL?

When I overthink, I find it helpful to ask, 'What's within my control?' I can't control if people are reading or liking this post, but I have control over what I want to write about. I'm mentioning this because overthinking is often mushed together with people-pleasing. 'Will anyone like it? Will it be worth it? What if someone leaves a negative comment?' Focus on what you have control over and leave the rest.

4. WHAT THOUGHTS ALLOW ME TO DO NOTHING?

When overthinking, there is normally one or two thoughts that act like guard-dogs between thinking and doing. 'Though shall not pass!' What thought allows you to do nothing? Is it: I'm not good enough? It will be too difficult? I don't know what it will lead to? I'm too old.

Bonus question: do you want to live in a world where that thought dictates your next move?

5. WHAT AM I HEARING?

Sometimes it's hard to stop an onslaught of thoughts, so a short-cut into a calmer space is to activate the senses. To do that, ask these questions: what am I hearing? what am I smelling? what am I seeing? Spend some time with each question. For me, the smelling one is the most challenging. It's also really calming. This exercise takes you out of your head and into your body

These five questions are simple, time-saving, and repeatable, but they do take practice. You have to use them more than once in a blue moon. It's like flexing a muscle. The more you do it, the stronger you get, Or in this case, the more you practice getting out of overthinking, the faster you'll get to a place of clarity and calm.

Which tip/question was most helpful to you right now? Share your insights below:)

Curious about working together? Don't overthink it (ha ha!) book your free consultation call here.