If you are prone to overthinking, read this:
For years I struggled with overthinking.
It was downright debilitating.
Fortunately, I found some strategies that help.
Here are 7 concepts to limit overthinking (and live your best life):
It was downright debilitating.
Fortunately, I found some strategies that help.
Here are 7 concepts to limit overthinking (and live your best life):
1. Morning Pages (Julia Child Method)
Empty your mind’s confusing thoughts on paper.
You’ll fill your day with clearer thinking.
The secret? Long-form journaling.
Here’s how:
1. Block out 45 mins
2. Grab a pen and journal
3. Write stream-of-consciousness (unfiltered)
Empty your mind’s confusing thoughts on paper.
You’ll fill your day with clearer thinking.
The secret? Long-form journaling.
Here’s how:
1. Block out 45 mins
2. Grab a pen and journal
3. Write stream-of-consciousness (unfiltered)
2. 5 Second Rule
“The moment you have an instinct to act on a goal you must 5-4-3-2-1 and physically move or your brain will stop you.” —Mel Robbins.
The 5s Rule improves your ‘locus of control.’
It helps you flip the switch from uncontrolled anxiety to excitement…
“The moment you have an instinct to act on a goal you must 5-4-3-2-1 and physically move or your brain will stop you.” —Mel Robbins.
The 5s Rule improves your ‘locus of control.’
It helps you flip the switch from uncontrolled anxiety to excitement…
According to neuroscientists, 95% of our decisions are based on feelings.
The problem with that:
You must first change your behavior to change how you feel.
In the words of Aristotle, “Do good, feel good.”
Like jumping in a pool: Count down from 5, and take action.
The problem with that:
You must first change your behavior to change how you feel.
In the words of Aristotle, “Do good, feel good.”
Like jumping in a pool: Count down from 5, and take action.
3. 70-20-10 Rule
The #1 factor that influences creative success?
The volume of work produced.
Change your mindset with the 70-20-10 Rule:
- 70% of your work will suck
- 20% will be average
- 10% will be amazing
If you’re avoiding failure, you’re avoiding success.
The #1 factor that influences creative success?
The volume of work produced.
Change your mindset with the 70-20-10 Rule:
- 70% of your work will suck
- 20% will be average
- 10% will be amazing
If you’re avoiding failure, you’re avoiding success.
4. Spotlight Effect (Cognitive Bias)
We think people are paying far more attention to us than they are.
Example: Josh is worried everyone at work will notice he needs new shoes.
Harsh truth:
Your freedom begins the day you realize nobody is thinking about you.
We think people are paying far more attention to us than they are.
Example: Josh is worried everyone at work will notice he needs new shoes.
Harsh truth:
Your freedom begins the day you realize nobody is thinking about you.
5. Stop Looping, Ask Powerful Questions
If you’re like me, you re-run things over in your mind.
Often these loops do not serve us.
When you catch yourself in a loop,
Ask a powerful question:
• Am I present?
• Is this useful?
• Will I care about this in 1 year?
If you’re like me, you re-run things over in your mind.
Often these loops do not serve us.
When you catch yourself in a loop,
Ask a powerful question:
• Am I present?
• Is this useful?
• Will I care about this in 1 year?
6. Cosmic Insignificance Therapy
"Your life is firefly blink in the night." —Naval Ravikant
See earth from the POV of the universe.
Cosmic insignificance therapy (like this) will give you perspective.
You’ll make your finite time here count.
"Your life is firefly blink in the night." —Naval Ravikant
See earth from the POV of the universe.
Cosmic insignificance therapy (like this) will give you perspective.
You’ll make your finite time here count.
7. Meditation
“Enlightenment is the space between your thoughts.”
Training your mind for presence is a badass endeavor.
Enter meditation.
Sam Harris’ Waking Up is the least woo-woo, most science-driven meditation app I’ve encountered.
You'll see results within the week.
“Enlightenment is the space between your thoughts.”
Training your mind for presence is a badass endeavor.
Enter meditation.
Sam Harris’ Waking Up is the least woo-woo, most science-driven meditation app I’ve encountered.
You'll see results within the week.
That’s all 7.
Each of these concepts has helped me limit overthinking.
Please experiment and see what works best for you.
Thanks for reading! Follow me @SystemSunday for more content like this.
Each of these concepts has helped me limit overthinking.
Please experiment and see what works best for you.
Thanks for reading! Follow me @SystemSunday for more content like this.
Small correction:
Morning Pages come from Julia *Cameron.
Learn more in her brilliant book:
"The Artist’s Way"
amazon.com
Morning Pages come from Julia *Cameron.
Learn more in her brilliant book:
"The Artist’s Way"
amazon.com
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