Quit Overthinking Everything: 8 Easy to Learn Habits

How to Stop Overthinking Everything: 9 Simple Habits

Overtinking is a problem that holds many people back in life.

It can completely stifle your creativity, freedom, achievements, and more.

Are you an overthinker? Do you double check things, or triple check things?

If so you need to break this habit. Because it is a habit. It’s a mental process ingrained in to your psyche, and it can be changed.

Over thinkers make smaller problems escalate into bigger problems. Turning positivity into negativity.

If this sounds like something you do, you need to work on this habit. You’re putting the brakes on your potential.

I used to overthink things in a big way. In fact, I still do from time-to-time, and it’s something I am always confronting.

But over the past 5 or so years I have made massive strides forward. Each and every time I have consciously stopped overthinking, I have had positive things happen.

I used a combination of a few different techniques to overcome this way of thinking and break this habit. Here are some of the techniques that I know to work.

Quit Overthinking Everything: 8 Easy to Learn Habits

Look at the Wider Perspective

When you overthink things it’s all too easy to just see the narrow perspective. In fact that’s a major problem with overthinking something. You only look at what’s in front of you.

Try taking a step back and widening the perspective. Ask yourself if what you’re worrying over will matter in 5 years. Or 10 years. This often puts the task in perspective. It can even have quite a sobering affect.

Give Yourself a Short Time Period to Make Decisions

When you have a decision to make set a time limit for you to answer. Don’t make exceptions, if the decision is large or small stick to a time limit.

If it’s a serious decision give yourself more time, but be strict. You will come to realize that whatever decisions you make, you did the right thing by making a decision. It’s always better than not making a decision, or just overthinking it.

Be an Action Taker

Ever noticed how some people are born action takers? Well others are developed into action takers. Either way doesn’t matter, it’s the same end result.

So become an action taker. As a rule of thumb if you are thinking about taking action, and you want to take action. You should be taking action.

Don’t be afraid to take baby steps at first. But work your way up to being an assertive, action taking machine.

Be at Peace with Not Always Being in Control

Being in control is a comforting feeling for most people. It’s linked to overthinking, your brain is re-working the task over and over to feel like you own and control it.

You need to come to accept that you cannot always be in control. You need to step out of your comfort zone. You need to take greater risks to reap greater results.

It’s impossible to know how scenarios are going to unfold. Dealing with surprises and working out a resolve is what makes us stronger. It’s easier said than done at first, but you will come to terms with it over time if you’re open minded.

Take a Timeout If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

There is nothing to be ashamed about if you are out of your depth at times. The real skill is being able to take a timeout and make a rational decision. Opposed to making a bad decision under the fire of stress.

When you are under stress you will not be thinking straight. No matter how busy you are, or how important the next deadline is it’s important to act with a clear head.

I’ve been in these situations before, and looking back I’m glad I took a step back when things became too much and made a clear headed decision.

Don’t Let Fear Control Your Decisions

Fear will make you overthink and question your decisions. It’s a problem I have battled in the past, so I know all too well how stifling it can be.

I have learned to be a lot more relaxed about fearing the worst. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen, right? That’s what you need to ask yourself.

Fear is a negative emotion, and while it can be motivating too, you need to get it under control.

Don’t Surround Yourself with Overthinkers

The people you surround yourself with make a big difference to how you think and act. It’s a known adage that we are all the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with.

So as nice as the people around you are, if they are overthinkers and you want to stop overthinking you need distance yourself. Start with a clear head and set of thoughts. Reaffirm you’re going to be a decision maker.

Practice Being Mindful

Mindful thinking is a powerful state of mind. By thinking in the present moment you will appreciate the importance of making a decision in the moment.

It helps you slow down and be more aware of the importance, risks, and potential other effects of what you’re doing. Remember, overthinking is a state of mind. It’s a confidence and the ability to be decisive.