Do you think too much? Or too little?

When you have to make decisions, especially critical ones, most of us take time to research all the options so we can make the best decision, which is normal. But what if you spend too much time considering your choices so that you overthink things and end up unable to make any decision at all?

This type of overthinking can happen even with relatively minor decisions, such as which kettle to purchase or what sandwich to buy for lunch. And when it comes to more important decisions, for example, whether to buy a house or accept a job offer, you may worry that you are making the wrong decision, even after you've carefully considered all the advantages and disadvantages.

You may find that you're trapped in a thought pattern of potential outcomes and fail to make any decision. Trapped in an endless cycle of "what if this, what if that" scenarios, you eventually become so overwhelmed that the result is that you fail to make any decision.

Why do we overthink things?

If you find yourself struggling to make decisions, it can help if you understand why.

Maybe it's because your previous choice didn't work out well. So you don't trust yourself to make the right decision this time.

Perhaps you worry that making the wrong decision will have a negative impact on others. Or maybe you think that others will judge you for making a particular decision. Of course, many people find decision-making challenging at times. But if you find yourself overthinking almost every decision, large or small, try to break the pattern.

Start small by making quick decisions about inconsequential things. Instead of wasting an hour browsing Netflix to find something to watch, pick the first show that grabs you. Go for a walk without planning your route. Grab a new brand of cereal without thinking about it.

You may feel anxious about doing this at first. But making quick decisions without giving yourself time to weigh up the alternatives can help you to be more decisive when it comes to making big-ticket choices.

Bach Flowers Mix 44 can help you be more self-confident in your decision-making and believe in yourself more.

It's taking action that allows us to move forward, so most of the time, we should prioritise this. You won't progress in life without getting results, and decisive action will create results for you.

Or maybe you don't think enough?

Impulsivity is when you don't think about the potential consequences of your actions. And the results can be disastrous.

Young kids often act rashly, upsetting their playmates or even putting themselves in danger. But adults can also be overimpulsive, and this trait can undermine their careers, their relationships and even their health.

People with impulsive personalities are prone to act quickly without thinking about the consequences. They are risk-takers, making quick decisions and saying things on the spur of the moment that they may later come to regret. However, they don't always come over as wild or thoughtless because this tendency is often masked by good social skills.

Individuals with impulsivity issues may seem to cope in many ways, including holding down a job and having a busy social life. Their ability to make decisions quickly, as long as the end result works out, can make them seem exciting, bold, and unconventional. And some may be very successful in their careers. However, their impulsivity may well be creating chaos in some areas of their life, perhaps in their relationships, financial affairs, or substance misuse.

Bach Flowers Mix 48 helps with impulsivity by supporting you to be more organised, less distracted and less inclined to act without thinking things through.

Striking a balance

So how do you know precisely when you're overthinking? Luckily, there's a simple way of balancing over- and under- thinking so you can optimise your decision-making by mastering your thought processes.

Thinking should be understood as a tool that helps you take action.

You can break thinking down into two aspects:

• Analysis to understand things better
• Planning to maximise the efficiency of your actions

The rule is to balance things out and make sure you're not jumping into action too quickly or pondering the various options for too long.

Think about the problem for as long as it helps you determine the best course of action. Then, once you're happy with the plan, stop thinking. Now is the time to act.

Once you've decided on your course of action, you always have the option of going back and reanalysing or changing your plan as you gather more information. And optimising as you gain further insight is a more efficient method to get things done anyway.

It's all about getting the balance right. So do your research, anticipate whatever you can, then make your decision and get out there!

Sources:

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-overthinking-a-mental-illness/

https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-impulsivity#:~:text=Impulsivity%20is%20the%20tendency%20to,necessarily%20a%20sign%20of%20trouble

Other articles

Isn't depression just a fancy word for feeling a bit down?

Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety affect around 1 in 6 people at some stage of their life. Despite it being such a common problem, many sufferers wait months or even years before seeking help.

Dealing with British Summer Time

Some people are overly sensitive to the time change and it can take days, if not weeks, for them to feel right again, while others barely even notice. 

Do you 'Musturbate' too much?

Do you suffer from a disorder known as "musturbation"? This term was first coined in the 1950s by psychotherapist Albert Ellis and described the way a negative inner voice rules our minds and bludgeons us with words such as "must", "should", and "ought".

Why you're not the best

What are your aims in life? Do you plan to be rich, to be a top footballer, to be a good parent, or to become Prime Minister? However efficiently you plan your life, sooner or later you are going to come up against obstacles to achieving your goals.

Do you expect too much from others? Find out!

Most people are disappointed when others don't meet their expectations. But when you always expect too much, it isn't healthy, either for yourself or for others. If you often find yourself feeling let down by your loved ones or even by strangers, could it be that you have unrealistic ideas of how people should act?

Are most people good or bad?

Do you sometimes despair about humanity because it seems there are far more bad people than good? Are we primarily selfish individuals, thinking only about our own needs? Or is this cynical belief just because we spend so much time online? The truth is more complicated!

Simple tips to not be afraid of the future

No one knows what the future holds, so don't waste time and energy worrying about it. Read our tips and find out how to stop being afraid of what might never happen.

Let's make 2021 better than 2020

For many people, 2020 has been one of the worst years they can remember. The COVID -19 pandemic and social unrest have changed our lives in ways we would not have believed possible a year ago. And when January 2021 comes around, we're still likely to be facing many challenges. Can 2021 be a better year?

What makes it so hard to go back to work?

Millions of people furloughed for months are now being recalled to work. Others, who have been working from home throughout the lockdown, are returning to the office. And some jobs have simply disappeared: many people are facing redundancy and will soon have to cope with job hunting. Going back to work after an unprecedented length of time at home is quite a challenge.

Have you considered yoga? The advantages of practicing yoga

Have you considered yoga? There are many advantages to practicing yoga. It is a holistic practice benefitting you physically, emotionally & mentally.