Hello there!
I want to talk about taking action today. Why? Because it has been the major way for me to get over many things, especially in recent months.
I am an overthinker (why do you think I am writing on this blog lol). I am also not good at multitasking. When you combine these two, you get someone who cannot move on easily until they solve a situation, which is me. But obviously, I cannot solve everything and even if I can solve something, I may not be able to solve it when I want to solve it. So, this reality put me in so much trouble before and the only thing that saved me is taking action. Here is how:
Let’s say I fixated on a problem. I just cannot do much in those times because my mind is occupied with something and it drains my energy. I used to obey this situation. Then, I realized I had many situations where I just went into a deep hole and got out with so much trouble. I asked myself: Do I have to go that deep? Then, what I started doing is whenever I felt that I was falling into this pattern, I put a small task to be completed asap for myself. But not just any task. A task that is related to what I want to do with my life. For example, now my goal is to find a job. So, the task will be to spend X amount of time on LinkedIn daily. What happens is that if I can stay consistent with this one task for some time, then my general focus also switches to the new task, so I do not think about that issue anymore.
Mind you, I always aim to get my feelings and thoughts out (so I try not to suppress them). But they should not go on forever.
Let me know what you think! Are you an overthinker? Have you tried something like that? Does it work? If you have not tried it, what else have you tried? Let’s discuss action today.
Thank you for sharing!!.. I think I am a bit like Thomas Edison “I haven’t failed, I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” (Thomas Edison)… 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful holiday filled with peace, love and joy and until we meet again..
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
(Irish Saying)
Very true!
This is very good advice.
It is surprisingly helpful!
This offered me a different perspective on my own feelings of being “frozen” since the pandemic began. I am disabled and suffer from depression and a whole host of related crap, and one of my biggest struggles during the last couple years is the environmental encouragement to isolate and be inactive (like I need that!). I’ve previously been thinking of it as “executive function” issues which probably also fits a bit, but this idea of trying to force yourself into action once you discover that you are headed down into that spiral of thinking too hard. Thank you for this!
The pandemic surely pushed us into the depths of the loophole but really, this is one thing that gets me up. I am glad this offered you a different perspective and I hope it works with you even better than it did with me!
Analysis paralysis. I know it well.
Tell me about it! There are a lot of times when I want to just unplug my brain.
Oh, the joy of being an overthinker…
My kind of overthinking is that I’m too cautious. I’m afraid of leaving my comfort zone at times. Whenever I want to do something unfamiliar to me, I tend to dwell too much in what-ifs. When I do it, I almost always make mistakes despite being careful, but maybe that’s the problem. Too careful ironically makes me prone doing something wrong. I’ve always hated making mistakes. My parents taught me to take mistakes as an opportunity for learning… but when something wrong happens, they often get mad immediately
Hmm, actions do not align with words, apparently. One thing I have come to realize is however much we calculate and think through things, there are always more variables than we can possibly handle.
I like to think of the positives of over thinking and call it by another name – Thoughtful. Being thoughtful is a lovely quality and can bring yourself and others much joy and happiness. The trick is not to- as you suggest – ruminate and go in too deep. I try a number of things, distractions, mindfulness and trying to think of things I am grateful for. It is a daily practice and some days go well and some need work. Great post.
These can work too! Thoughtfulness is good but in balance, as you say. Thanks for the reminder!
I’m lucky in this area. I can usually think of something that moves me to the solution, which alleviates much of the anxiety. Also, if I feel myself getting overwhelmed, I can force myself to put the problem aside for a short time, so I can get the cobwebs out of my head.
That is nice! Does it come naturally or if not, how do you do it?
It doesn’t come naturally. I’ve learned to physically move away from whatever the problem is, even if it’s just moving to a different room. Example: If I’m obsessing about finances, changes are I’m at my desk. I left the room and do something mindless like dusting or cleaning up the kitchen.
That is exactly what I started implementing recently and it works well. Thanks for sharing!
All the best, you know your plus and minus points. I am sure you will fulfil your dreams.
I have come to realize them better recently. We will see how they will help me soon!
These days I often forget postponed tasks. Better to do whatever while I can still remember! 🙂 Yes, I admit to being an over-thinker…It makes me forget to turn off the oven or the hose I had running to water a tree. It is a great thing to be able to focus on a creative task, but it isn’t good to forget your everyday life. 🙂 All the best, Betul!
Exactly! I want to use my brain in the most efficient way I can by reorganizing my thoughts.
I hope you find your dream job! <3
I hope so! Thanks!
I used to be an over-thinker and do fall into that trap every now and then. But aging as well as a technique I have developed has helped me control my over thinking.
Whenever I start to go over the same thoughts with no solution in sight and driving myself and my family round the bend, I look at the clock. Give myself a fixed time, may be a few hours, a day or even overnight to brood, analyze or indulge in self pity. Then, I steel myself to think, read or listen to something positive or do a creative project that needs my complete attention each time I go back to over-thinking. This technique works for me.
Best wishes for your job hunting.
That is a clever technique! I should try that next time I overthink. Thank you for sharing!
I used to be an over-thinker and do fall into that trap every now and then. But aging as well as a technique I have developed has helped me control my over thinking.
Whenever I start to go over the same thoughts with no solution in sight and driving myself and my family round the bend, I look at the clock. Give myself a fixed time, may be a few hours, a day or even overnight to brood, analyze or indulge in self pity. Then, I steel myself to think, read or listen to something positive or do a creative project that needs my complete attention each time I go back to over-thinking. This technique works for me.
Best wishes for your job hunting.