Cutting Through Overthinking with Action

Cutting Through Overthinking with Action

By Leo Babauta

If overthinking can be a trap of indecision(ˌindəˈsiZH(ə)n), an unsolvable(ˌənˈsälvəbəl) knot(nät) … how do we untie(ˌənˈtī) it? By cutting through it.

There can be no solving this knot through thinking — it’s thinking that gets us into it. Now, I’m not saying that “thinking is bad” … I believe we should contemplate(ˈkäntəmˌplāt) pros(prō) and cons(kän), that we should take a step back from action and get some perspective, see the big picture, consider the deeper Why of what we’re doing. But at some point, we have to say, “Enough!” And then take action.

Setting a limit for thinking can be a good way to do this. “I’m going to spend the next 2 days thinking about it, and then make a decision on Tuesday.” You consider the merits(ˈmerət), you do a bit of research, you talk to other people. Then you decide, and take action.

How do you decide when there is no certain answer? You have to just pick something that seems to be the best, given your limited information. It’s like poker(ˈpōkər) — you never have complete(kəmˈplēt) information, but have to make a decision based on what you do know, and the most likely outcomes (the likelihood(ˈlīklēˌho͝od) is based on what you know, but you can adjust your mental(ˈmen(t)l) probabilities with experience).

You start by taking a step back, think about your deeper Why as it relates to this decision … and also what you’re basing this decision on. Is it based on fear? On instant gratification(ˌɡradəfəˈkāSH(ə)n) of a desire? These don’t lead to good long-term outcomes, in my experience. The place to come from is long-term benefit — is this a loving action for those you care about, or for yourself?

Then you think about the different factors that weigh(wā) into the decision, and how important each are to you. You think about likely outcomes of each possibility (don’t limit yourself to just 2 possibilities), and weigh the probable benefits with the probable costs.

And then finally, you just go with the decision that seems best. Do a quick review of whether this is for the best long-term benefit. And then pull the trigger(ˈtrigər). Step off the plank(plaNGk).

You cut through all the doubts(dout) and fears and hand-wringing(riNG) that are holding you back, and just dive(dīv) in.

Get good at this diving in by doing it in small versions(ˈvərZHən):

Write something short and publish it
Take a small action to your long-term dream career(kəˈri(ə)r) or business
Take a small action to be healthier(ˈhelTHē)
Declutter(ˈdēklətər) one thing that’s easy to decide on, rather than getting stuck on things that are hard for you to make a decision about

What decisions are you stuck on? Can you make a small decision that’s easier, and take action? It might give you more information that helps with the bigger decision. And in the end, the real benefit is practicing(ˈpraktəs) taking action without getting caught up in indecision and inaction.

https://zenhabits.net/overthink/