Mental Space and Overthinking: The Simple Mind

The more mental clutter you have, the less energy you possess. Reduced energy translates to a diminished sense of time. Even if you optimize your schedule to the max, failing to address your primary energy drain—overthinking—will render your efforts ineffective. You must reclaim the time lost to mental distractions. This Friday, let’s delve into time optimization through a mindset shift.

I appreciate your interest in this topic,

Overthinking: The Energy Drain

Individuals who tend to overthink—often perfectionists—expend significant energy and time doubting themselves. This phenomenon can be illustrated through a time pie chart, comparing the time spent overthinking tasks versus simply executing them and moving on.

The hours spent ruminating and creating problems could be spent on more enjoyable and meaningful activities. So, how can one combat this energy drain? (No garlic required!)

1. Recognize the Cost

   We often remain entrenched in our habits because we believe the benefits outweigh the costs. Although overthinking consumes time, it can feel safer. These visuals I’ve created aim to highlight the hidden costs of overthinking. Pay attention to how frequently you find yourself overanalyzing. Assess the time and energy expended versus the actual outcome. Was it truly worth it?

2. Awareness and Adjustment

   Once we acknowledge an issue, adjusting becomes simpler. This process mirrors recognizing a linguistic habit:

• Initially, we may not even realize it’s happening.

  • Then, an external factor makes us aware of its presence and associated costs (perhaps my visuals have helped).
  • We begin to notice it in both ourselves and others. This can be frustrating, as we recognize the pattern but continue to indulge in it.
  • Gradually, we catch ourselves earlier in the cycle and learn to adjust before reaching a point of no return.
  • Eventually, we become adept at recognizing these patterns in other areas of our lives.

Overthinking serves as a defense mechanism to evade certain emotions. Be curious—identify which feelings you're sidestepping, and allow them to surface. Once acknowledged, they often lose their power.

What to Expect: A Cautionary Note

Letting go of overthinking may feel unsettling at first, challenging your self-trust. You might wonder if you’re still competent without overanalyzing everything. (Spoiler: You are! In fact, you may perform even better when you cease overthinking.)

Initially, you may feel as though you’ve overlooked something, creating discomfort due to the unfamiliarity. However, once you embrace this new approach, it can become your norm.

Why This Matters

The ultimate reward for overcoming overthinking is more time. The hours you previously spent ruminating can now be allocated to more fulfilling pursuits. Beyond this, reducing overthinking in minor areas can significantly bolster your self-trust, fostering a positive cycle of increased confidence and diminished overthinking—particularly regarding more significant issues.

A client once shared:

"It's incredible how liberating it feels to confidently do things my way. The more I trust my intuition, the less I feel like I'm battling my overthinking."

A Helpful Nudge

In the coming days, set an intention to observe your overthinking habits and adapt accordingly. For additional strategies on time management, I highly recommend following Amanda Goetz; her insights have significantly improved my life.

Look for moments when you linger too long on a single thought or task. A useful criterion for evaluating whether you’re overthinking (as opposed to engaging in a creative or strategic process) is to ask: does it energize or drain me? If it feels draining, it's likely overthinking.

Start small—make decisions in low-stakes situations (like choosing where to eat). Give yourself a brief timeframe to act, and relish the rewards of not overthinking. Repeat this process to solidify your progress.

If you’re new to The Simple Mind, check out previous posts and subscribe for weekly mindset tips. I also offer coaching focused on mindset and leadership development. If you’re interested in enhancing your skills, let’s chat!

The first video titled "There's Not Enough Time in the Day is Total Bull$&@! - Time Management Myths" explores the common misconceptions surrounding time management and how to effectively utilize your time.

The second video, "Why You Feel Like You Never Have Enough Time," delves into the psychological aspects of time perception and offers insights on how to feel more in control of your time.