You have a brilliant idea, but instead of taking action, you lose yourself in endless analysis. Overthinking - a silent saboteur that can slow your growth and block your progress.

Overanalyzing kills your progress

In my three years as an entrepreneur, I have met many talented, driven women. Ambitious quick thinkers, full of potential and ideas. What struck me is that many are excellent at describing what they want to achieve, but few actually take the step to do it. They wait for "the right time"-when the kids are grown, when they retire, or when they have more time. But in the meantime, they linger in the meantime, instead of living their dream life.

I was there too, surviving in my meantime. To the outside world, I had a happy and successful life and career. Deep inside I was not happy, chronically dissatisfied and restless. Because I knew for a long time that I was no longer in the right place where I had the freedom to do what I was good at and energized by.

I knew there was more in me and that I was done with the rat race I was surviving in and wanted to be able to live fully again, contribute impactfully and be able to enjoy myself. I was mostly thinking out of fear of losing; losing my steady income, my status (after all, I hadn't studied for anything, gone through college and years of experience to achieve this...)... and had imagined that when my son would be older.... 

The dangers of overthinking

The pitfall of overthinking, is that your brain takes over and you start thinking, analyzing and overthinking everything in detail. Both past overthinking, future overthinking and overanalyzing.

1. Being stuck in the past

Women often tend to analyze situations or events in detail. It is a trap in which you get stuck in the past. I saw this myself when I worked within a corporate environment, where assessment processes were often complex and frustrating. Endlessly analyzing these experiences led to insecurity and negative feelings.

In my experience with the assessment process within corporate, I have encountered challenges. Especially in terms of objectivity and transparency. The process began with a self-assessment, which was then reviewed by my manager. What initially seemed like an opportunity to reflect my performance was, in reality, a complex strategic game.

The final feedback and score were often the result of broader business strategies, so my personal contribution was not always fully realized. This lack of transparency and lack of clarity about the evaluation criteria led to frustration, prolonged uncertainty and overthinking on my part. I over analyzed the decision which led to negative feelings and demotivation.

1. Future thinking - anticipatory anxiety (future tripping)

Another form of overthinking is future tripping, or anticipated fear of what might happen. So instead of being stuck in the past, overthinking in the potential future (doom) scenarios. What if? You worry yourself about what could possibly happen. This leads to anxiety and stress, trapping you in negative thought patterns. Planning for every possible scenario without room for spontaneity or joy creates restlessness and dissatisfaction. Far from a positive view of the future, then, which will certainly not move you forward.

Characteristics of future tripping include excessive planning for every possible scenario, difficulty celebrating successes because the future feels uncertain, chronic restlessness and dissatisfaction and an excessive focus on to-do lists.

2. Overanalyzing leads to stagnation

Diving too deeply into a topic or thought leads to getting bogged down in details that are not relevant to the situation. And it leads to procrastination. Because overanalyzing can be recognized by a lack of/deferring action, and a lack in the quality of one's own analysis (often seeking confirmation from the other) and having difficulty prioritizing.

By continuing to seek perfection, you delay action. There is no such thing as the perfect choice. The key is to go for "good enough" - that is what leads to action, satisfaction and decision making.

Are you ready to take that step in your business or life? Determine what is important to you, and dare to make choices. You can keep waiting for the perfect moment, but the world is not waiting for you.

My brain was working overtime to make the perfect decision, only to find that the world was not waiting for me to make it and that the moment and opportunity had passed. Which led to frustration and losing control of me life and new career opportunities.

Framework: overcome overthinking

The paradox of the smart brain: your acuity is your strength, but it can also become your obstacle. Overthinking leads to procrastination and missed opportunities. Here are three simple changes in your mindset to overcome overthinking for good.

 Read how you can stop: 

• Endlessly ruminating on the past
• Anticipating the future from fear
• Over-analyzing every possible outcome

1. Actions outweigh decisions

90% of overthinking comes from the belief that decisions are more important than the actions that follow them. Success is determined by what you do after a choice. 

So:

• Make a decision
• Turn it into action
• Make it happen through your commitment

Your time and energy are valuable - use them for those things that really matter

2. Trust your adaptability, not the perfect plan

Lack of self-confidence is the cause of a tremendous amount of overthinking. It is a lack of confidence in your ability to make the right decision, to navigate to your desired destination.

Like an explorer, you don't have to rely on a perfect plan, but on your ability to navigate through storms. As Mike Tyson said, "Everyone has a plan, until they take a hit."

You are the explorer and life is your journey. You don't have to rely on the perfect plan, only on your ability to adapt. 

Make a plan, set a course and trust your ability to adapt when the inevitable thrusts of the sea come crashing down on you. But be flexible. 

Your strength is not in the perfect plan, but in your ability to navigate through unexpected situations.

3. Most decisions are reversible

Most decisions can be modified. Overthinking often comes from the fear that you can't go back after a mistake, but reality is different. Even a failed attempt (because that's how I see mistakes) brings valuable experience, new knowledge and network.

The overthinker often tends to assume irreversibility and for fear of loss:

"If I quit my job to follow this entrepreneurial path, I can never go back."

"If I take that new position and fail, I can forget about a new growth/promotional opportunity."

"If this doesn't work out, I will lose my status and never recover."

"If this venture fails, no one will hire me."

Reality: Most decisions are much more reversible than you think.

Because your bold action Creates a wealth of experience, new skills, knowledge and network that are valuable regardless of whether the main thing succeeds or fails.

Stop overthinking and start taking action

There are others living the life you want too, simply because they took action and you didn't. They are not smarter than you. They are not more skilled than you. They are not more resourceful than you. They just took action when you didn't.

You don't need more information, additional training, another course. With all the expertise, potential and a wealth of value that you possess, you can help so many others NOW ALONE.

Because if information were the problem, everyone would be rich, fit and in the perfect relationship.

Your whole life will change the moment you stop gathering more information and know how to implement all that knowledge into your life and your business in your way and on your terms.

Knowledge and information are everywhere. What matters is how you know how to implement it

Thinking too much will not build a better future or resolve your past; it will only hold you back. You then continue to (over)live longer in the meantime.

You don't have to make perfect decisions, have a perfect plan-they don't exist. It's the decisions followed by your right action at the right time that matter.

Dare to act, because success comes not from more information, but from your action. This is where you can begin to take charge and lead your new life yourself. 

What is stopping you from starting today?

 One Life. Lead it. Live it.

Have a great week,

Gerdi

Strategic change to grow again personally, professionally and financially.

Whenever you are ready:

✅Women & Leadership Community

• A 1.5-hour Learn & Connect Meeting every month
• Online private platform
• Connect, learn, connect and collaborate

✅ Program Unlimited Freedom

1. Online Program onMarkably Profitable - DIY

• Access to my Online Academy where you can work on your own remarkable leadership position and profitable strategy.

2. START TO SCALE-UP: 1:1 Program - 16 weeks 

• Access to the private Women & Leadership Community
• Access to my Online Academy where you can work on your own remarkable leadership position and profitable strategy.
• Kick of meeting (2 hours) followed by 1:1 calls every two weeks (8×1 hours)
• Direct contact line via WhatsApp/privat chat
• Includes all my templates, frameworks, worksheets

3. GROWTH & FREEDOM: 1:1 Premium Program - from 6 months of age

• A Premium 1:1 partnership where you go all-in. Full access to the Community, Academy and direct access to me. Take a new step as a leader and grow profitably on personal, business and financial leadership. 
• Quarterly Strategic DeepDive Meeting (start and after 3 months)
• Subscription-based model: 1:1 calls (30 min) based on your needs.
• Direct contact line via WhatsApp/privat chat
• Includes all my templates, frameworks, worksheets
• Access to the exclusive Health & Business Leadership Club when we will work together for 6 months or more on your growth and freedom personally, professionally and financially.

✅ PREMIUM 1:1 Leadership Coaching - starting at 6 months
Successful women leaders and entrepreneurs looking to grow personally, professionally and financially. From 6 months on a subscription model basis, executive and leadership coaching. Completely free, based on your needs, I stand beside you as a strategic business partner. Because as Leader of your Future, you want to live and do business on your terms without limits. Investing in your leadership position, your value, the value of your business and the value of your financial future.

Included - Health & Business Leadership Club, my exclusive Leadership Club for my PREMIUM clients.

✅ Retreat Health & Business Leadership Meeting on Terschelling
Working with a group of like-minded people on health, mental/physical health, healthy and nutritious food, active outdoor activities, business meetings and workshops. Several days "out of office" and surround yourself with a group of like-minded people who, like you, want to grow as a healthy leader in a healthy and growing business and financially healthy future. For anyone who wants to grow in their own healthy way.

PS1. Also become the visionary, strategic leader of your life, business and financial future? Plan a free appointment with me. I will be happy to discuss what opportunities and growth possibilities I foresee for you.

Book tips:

Books that have helped me: 

Leadership & Entrepreneurship

The Diary of a CEO - Steven Bartlett
Tribes - Seth Godin
Principles - Ray Dalio
The Lean Startup - Eric Ries
Leaders Eat Last - Simon Sinek
Leading From The Emerging Future - C Otto Scharmer
Transformational Presence - Alan Seale
The Big Leap - Gay Hendricks

PS2. I have a whole book list. If you are interested and would like to receive my favorite book list? Send me a message and I'll send you my favorites list. Sharing = multiplying.

Because you know what you have to do and what you want to leave in the world