Troubleshooting Overthinking That Feels Like Planning

(20 Second Read Time)

When this happens:

You replay the same thoughts about health, work, or a decision.  You journal, plan, listen to podcasts, and analyze.  It feels productive, but no action happens.  You tell yourself you will start once you figure it all out.

Why it sticks:

Thinking in your head feels safer than moving in real life.  You avoid risk of failure or judgment for a few minutes.  That short relief teaches your brain to overthink again next time, so you stay in your head and out of your body where change happens.

One experiment for this week:

• Pick one small decision you have been stuck on.

• Set a 15 minute deadline.  When time is up, choose.

• Take one messy action in the next 24 hours.  Go for the walk, send the email, prep the lunch.   

Write down what happened after you started, not before.

If this is where you get stuck between knowing and doing, see how it works here.