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Are you a big overthinker?
Do you go to do something then wonder what people are going to think, how it’s going to go, and if you should even do it at all?
Overthinking can stop you from doing the things you were called to do.
As a business owner, it can be really detrimental.
Here are some ways you can stop overthinking and start doing, so you can set yourself up on the path to success!
How to Stop Overthinking
Break big projects down into manageable steps and tasks
If you are staring at a massive project on your to-do list, there is a pretty good chance it’ll cause you to overthink.
There are lots of steps and systems that go into bringing the project to life, which means there are tons of places where things could go wrong.
Instead of letting this big project stress you out, break it down into things you can easily handle.
Create a schedule with deadlines and action steps with individual tasks.
If you just have to cross off one task for the project instead of the entire project itself, it will feel much more doable.
Envision how you would tackle the worst-case scenario
The worst-case scenario is nothing to stress about yet, but it is something you can mentally prepare for.
Think about what the worst-case scenario is for you—no one signs up, someone judges you, etc.
Once you know your worst-case scenario, ask yourself how you would handle this situation.
Starting with knowing how to cope with the worst-case scenario will allow you to feel more ready and prepared for the tasks.
You will be able to start because you already know what you would do if things went south.
Practice the 5-second rule by Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins dives deep into the 5-second rule in her appropriately named book, “The 5 Second Rule”, but here is a general idea.
You count backwards from five, and then do the thing you were going to do. This helps you take immediate action instead of worrying or procrastinating.
How would you apply this in your work?
Say you are overthinking an Instagram caption. Count backwards 5-4-3-2-1 and hit “post”.
If you are worried about going live for the first time, count backwards 5-4-3-2-1 and start the live.
Once you start, you will realize that it wasn’t so scary after all.
Have a trusted friend hold you accountable
We all need loyal friends who aren’t afraid to put us in our place.
It helps to have someone who will call you out when you push things off.
Choose an accountability buddy that you trust, and share with them what you are going to do and when you’re going to do it. Make sure they will check in on you, and be ready to share your progress with them.
Just knowing someone is there will help motivate you because you won’t want to let them down.
Journal on your thoughts, fears, and hesitations for five minutes before starting a task or project to clear your mind
Especially when it’s a big and vulnerable share or task, it’s easy to get so in your head that you freeze up.
Practice journaling during moments like this to help bring you back to reality and keep you grounded.
Get those fears and roadblocks out of your head and onto paper. It’s almost guaranteed that you will feel lighter and more capable when you are done.
After writing, you will be ready to just start doing.
Consume content from people who inspire you and lift you up
If you are only consuming content from your competitors, it’s pretty much inevitable that you will be very in your head.
Instead of worrying so much about what they are doing that you aren’t, consume content from people who inspire you.
Read through uplifting quotes on Instagram and choose to see posts from people who live to encourage others in a positive manner.
The mute and unfollow buttons really do serve a purpose, so use them when you need to. If someone is not uplifting you, then you don’t need to have them in your space.
Social media should not cause you to overthink everything; it should motivate you to keep going.
Some of my favorite Instagram accounts to follow
• Chopra
• Life Goals Mag
• Mindset of Greatness
• Thrive
• Vex King
• Momentary Happiness
Set boundaries around those who don’t support you
Do you have family or friends who don’t quite support your work or lifestyle?
If so, they may ask you questions or place thoughts in your head that cause you to second guess what you’re doing.
The best advice here is to set boundaries around those people.
You can’t “mute” and “unfollow” people in real life, so this is what you do instead. If you know a friend doesn’t support what you do for work, then be sure to not bring up your business in conversation.
If it does get brought up, you know you have full control of how much you share—and I encourage you to share very little and then change the subject.
You shouldn’t allow others to control how you feel.
Practice meditation prior to starting your work day
A busy and overwhelmed mind is perfect for overthinking.
Meditation is a wonderful tool for calming the mind and boosting your mood, peace, and presence.
By becoming more mindful, you will realize that a lot of your worries really are not worth stressing over.
This will cause you to overthink less and do more of what you love and need to do.
Meditating before your workday helps you start the day with a clear mind and open heart. You will be more prepared to face challenges and come up with creative solutions.
Live out the saying “progress over perfection”
Nothing you do has to be perfect—and that’s really good news because most things won’t be perfect!
Instead of striving for perfection, a thing that usually sends us down the rabbit hole of overthinking, strive for progress.
One single step forward is better than none.
When you approach work and life with that attitude, there’s no limit to what you can do.
Final Thoughts
It is possible to stop overthinking when it comes to your work and life, but it takes practice, intention, and giving yourself some grace.
The truth is, people aren’t as focused on us as we may think. Everyone is too consumed with their own lives to fully care about what you are doing.
Since we know that to be true, then there really is nothing to overthink!
Put one step in front of the other, and know that any forward momentum is a good thing. It’s time to stop overthinking and start doing the things that are going to move you towards achieving your biggest dreams!
Which one of these tips resonates with you the most to help you stop overthinking?
Michelle Gagliani
Owner & Founder
Michelle is the Founder of The Balanced CEO, a Certified Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher, and a Holistic Nutritionist. She was born and raised in St.Thomas, U.S.V.I., and is currently living in Austin, TX. When she’s not running this blog or her online shop Balanced Vibes Co., she is cozied up at home watching TV, taking long walks in nature, or trying out new healthy recipes.
This is such a good reminder! I find that I can get overwhelmed by the big projects and then will just procrastinate away. But if I break it down and do one thing, then another thing, that gives me the momentum to take on the project. Thanks for sharing!
Breaking it down into smaller tasks will definitely help! Thanks for reading Kaybee!
Thank you for the great post! I definitely slow myself down when I overthink. Once I get started, it’s almost always easier than I thought.
You are so right about that Lory! Thanks for reading Lory!
Overthinking really can ruin your mood and cause you to feel sad or upset about something. I know I have a bad habit of overthinking. I tell myself to stop and think about a list of things that I enjoy doing. It has helped me from overthinking.
That is such a great way to be mindful! Thanks for sharing!
I overthink a lot of things and I need to stop
Hope these tips will help you!
I am a CRAZY overthinker, my anxiety really feeds into that. This post was a necessary read for me today. Thank you.
I am so glad this post bought you value Krysten!
Great post! I am a chronic over thinker. I literally overthink what to make for dinners for the week, so when it comes to even bigger things itās even more difficult. I need to put more into practice the progress not perfection and just starting things!
Thank you, Sarah! š I know how that is because I can be an overthinker too. It is such a process to get rid of that habit but I love that you said focus on progress not perfection. One step at a time!