Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Stop Overthinking

We are all trying to be good leaders, whether we’re leading in the workplace or our own families. We know that good leaders are decisive, confident and quick thinkers. We try to be like this, but often fall into the trap of overthinking and getting into a spiral of inaction worrying about every decision. Here are some ways to stop this spiral and make informed decisions.

Assess all relevant information available. Once you have done that and made a decision, let it be final. Ruminating about the decision is pointless and damaging. Only go back to your conclusion if new information comes to light. 

Don’t always assume the worst. Many times, we think there are ulterior motives behind the information we are receiving. Most of the time this is not true. Never attribute to malice what can be attributed to incompetence. What you’re being given is usually neutral, if not actually well intended, so don’t read more into it. 

Remember: we can’t know everything! You can’t read minds, so overthinking just wastes time. Embrace uncertainty. It seems to make us happier to fill blanks with garbage rather than to just be uncertain. Observe uncertainty, don’t overreact to it. 

Measure the stakes. Overthinking can turn a molehill into a mountain. Ask yourself: what is the probability that I make the wrong decision? Actually, not very high. What is the real cost of being wrong? If you can lower the stakes in your decision, you can usually get unstuck. 

Get outside of your head for a bit. Take joy in what’s going on around you. Switch gears and connect. It can be a dark place in your head when you dwell on uncertainties — so get out and touch some grass! 

Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago