I used to be the Queen of Overthinkers, an “overthinker-extraordinaire,” if you will. I thought wayyyy tooooo much and did way too little — about everything. Know what I mean? You probably do it too, in at least some area of your life. Most people do.
We have a good idea, a thought, or a dream. We see a need and have the inkling to get involved. We come up with a goal or we realize something about ourselves or our lives that we feel needs changing. These thoughts, dreams, or ideas may be small or totally life-altering. We have them and then . . . we think and we think and then we think some more.
We think so much and do nothing. Most times we talk ourselves right out of our good idea. We come up with all the reasons we just can’t do that, all the things holding us back, all the ways the timing is bad or inconvenient, all the people who wouldn’t approve, what people might say or think about you, or how others might be inconvenienced. We focus on the obstacles, the hurdles, the ways we might have to alter our routine and then we have more reasons NOT to follow our dream or idea than to take a chance.
Or we only think about this idea a little bit, maybe for a day. Sure we’re excited, but we don’t act. Then one day becomes another. And soon a month has passed and that idea that you were excited about has faded away. Does that mean it was a bad idea to begin with? No. It just means you let it die. Who knows what might have been? It could have been great, but you’ll never know if you don’t act.
We’ve got to stop all this over-thinking. There’s too much time spent pondering, rationalizing, and coming up with all the reasons your idea won’t work and not enough time spent doing. It’s time to start trying, taking a chance, and just doing stuff.
Got an idea? Something that sounds fun, exciting and maybe a bit crazy? Act now!!! Do something about it. Do it today. Don’t give me all the reasons you can’t, because “can’t” is pretty much an overused, bullshit idea anyway.
Have you thought about eating healthier, getting fit and in shape, or learning a new sport or activity? Then start today – not tomorrow, not after you’ve got more time, not when life is less busy. Start NOW. Strike while the iron is hot. Don’t come up with a list of bullshit things that you need to do first. Just start, right where you are, right now. For eating healthier it might mean taking a small step and clearing out your fridge and cupboards of foods you know are bad for you. For getting in shape, it might mean going for a walk or jog, doing some pushups, or whatever exercises you already know.
No more over analyzing. When you have an idea, resolve not to think it to death. The trick is to act immediately, in at least some small way. Or maybe in a big way. Sign up for that event. Join that class. Make that phone call. Buy those airline tickets. Quit your job.
The next time you think of something you want to do (a goal, a dream, a change, an activity, a business, a project, a trip, a new experience, etc.), if it can be done right then, JUST DO IT. If it’s something that you can’t do at that moment, then at least begin to plan it that same day. Take some small step toward that goal or idea the day you think of it. It may be a baby step, but it’s a step. Do some research, write the outline, brainstorm related ideas, start to train, begin practicing. Do something every single day toward that goal and soon you’ll be actually doing your dreams.
All thinking and no action basically means you are afraid. Are you really going to let fear rob you of your dreams, of your potential, of your life? Maybe you don’t want to call it “fear.” Whatever, that’s what it is. So knock it off. All that over-thinking, over-analyzing, over-planning usually ends up with you not DOING anything at all.
I’m making progress. I am done with thinking things to death. I’m no longer just making lists galore and stopping there. If something appeals to me, I’m going for it. I’m signing up. I’m doing it not just thinking about it. That’s how I ended up living in Palau for 7 months. That’s how I was watching the Biggest Loser one night and was signed up for the LA Marathon the next day. That’s how I ended up on The Missing Toenails running Are You Tough Enough last weekend, and why I’m heading to Africa in 7 weeks for 7 weeks of lemurs, gorillas, monkeys and the World Cup. I’m taking immediate steps toward it. I am doing a whole lot more doing – and doing stuff right away – and, damn, it feels good.
Follow ME!