Podcast #440
Why Overthinking is Worse for You Than You Think and How to Change
 










Overthinking is worse for you than you think it is because it creates problems that aren't even there and keeps you stuck in place when you could be moving forward. If you have ever struggled with overthinking, whether it's ruminating on your past or worrying about your future, this podcast episode is for you and will give you 8 very practical ways to change your patterns. Get the full show notes at www.trishblackwell.com/440



In this episode of The Confidence Podcast we're coaching on…



·       Why overthinking happens



·       What overthinking is doing to you



·       How to stop the habit of overthinking and start trusting yourself with powerful thoughts


 
THANK YOU: PATRONS
 


Just some special love and deep gratitude your way for how you support the show. You are a small and mighty group and each and every one of your contributions feels like a big, warm, wiggle hug. Thank you.



Want to be part of the people who help keep this show going? Consider becoming a patron. Just go to https://www.patreon.com/TheConfidencePodcast


 
REVIEW OF THE WEEK:
 


Awesomeness. 5-Stars



Hooked off the first episode I heard on self-criticism! Felt like she knew me personally … and she's faith based!!! 




 
WHY OVERTHINKING HAPPENS
 


Lack of self-trust



Lack of decisiveness



Lack of known purpose



Lack of prioritization



Lack of time management



Lack of confidence



Lack of boundaries (too many inputs, too many decisions)




WHY IT'S WORSE FOR YOU THAN YOU THINK
 


It teaches you to stay stuck.



It makes you believe you can 100% be certain.



It makes you miss the boat.



It keeps you in fear, not faith.



It causes you to second-guess yourself.



It makes you a whim to your whims.



It reinforces your lack of self-trust.



It creates paralysis by analysis. 



Overthinking is best known as creating problems that are not even there.


 
QUOTES ON OVERTHINKING:
 


Rule number one is, don't sweat the small stuff. Rule number two is, it's all small stuff. -Robert Eliot·       Don't get too deep, it leads to over thinking, and over thinking leads to problems that don't even exist in the first place. -Jayson Engay·       You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. -Martin Luther King Jr.·       Worrying about how things will go doesn't help make the things go right.  Here’s an analogy I like: Overthinking is like using a chainsaw to cut out pictures for a scrapbook. Even though it’s an incredibly powerful tool, there are many times when it’s not useful and even makes things worse.https://nickwignall.com/overthinking/  What does your overthinking look like? -Ruminating on the past-Worrying about the future Reliving embarrassing moments in your head repeatedly?Imagining that someone doesn't like you or thinks less of you? Getting stuck in the "what if's" of life in your mind too much?Tossing and turning at night because you can't stop thinking? Reliving your mistakesRehashing or replaying conversationsDepressive ruminationAngry rumination 


 
HOW TO CHANGE
 


1.     Schedule time to worry / or a future thinking date



2.     Write your thoughts out and compassionately write back.



3.     Identify the actual emotions behind the overthinking 



4.     Be aware of your excessive emotional reactions (cognitive distortions and extreme statements, labels, etc.)



5.     Stop identifying as just how you are



6.     Go silent. (More prayer, more meditation, more visualization, less noise and scroll)



7.     Practice micro-decisiveness



8.     Do 10-minute worry appointments. 



Remember, overthinking will lose its power and place in your life when you learn to be more decisive. Decisiveness reduces overthinking. 


 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
 


My life changed forever the first time I invested in a mastermind coaching experience. To be honest, I was scared.