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Next Steps

What if you are not enough? What if you are an impostor, and people discover you are not enough for your position or role? What if you can’t reach the goals you have so long awaited?Small doubts can become a giant stream of consciousness. You lose sleep. You think and think again of all the possible implications and solutions. But nothing seems to work — it’s not enough.Finally, you fall asleep. You don’t sleep much, but at least you didn’t stay up all night. And when you wake up, you hope that small doubt has gone away. But it’s still there. And it grew even bigger.

What if you are not enough?

Time constraints eliminate endless deliberation and force clarity.Have you ever worked with a deadline? As soon as you approach it, everything looks clear. You have a goal. And you might have (or not) a plan. But you will get there no matter what. You will search, experiment, and try everything. And you will come up with a solution.

2 — The Locking 10 Minutes (1)

Now, I don’t suggest doing that every time you have a project with a deadline. It would be foolish of you to keep working without a plan. But I would like to give you a rule that can trigger the same type of clarity you get from a short deadline.Give yourself exactly 10 minutes to analyze the issue — then you must act. Setting strict time limits helps your brain prioritize what’s truly important. You will move from contemplation to action. And it will stop that endless spiral that keeps your brain hooked on the what-ifs.

2 — The Locking 10 Minutes (2)

Your mindset and personality can be a strong weapon. But sometimes, they can also set hard limitations on what you can or cannot do.Let’s say you think of yourself as an analytical person — someone who loves to keep everything under control. In most responsible jobs, that’s a key to success. But what if you need to do a creative job? What if you need to use your emotions and empathy?

3 — The Second Self Question (1)

Overthinking will keep you hooked on a decision for days. But sometimes, you will have to cut through the BS and make a decision.Definitive decisions are hard to make. You look at them for days. You procrastinate until the final moment. And then, when it’s time, you’re not even convinced of your choice.

5 — The Decision Drafting Strategy (1)

At night, we are most vulnerable. The white noise of everyday life vanishes. You finally get your phone out of the way. And you’re about to get to sleep.But then, one small, insignificant question arises. It catches up fast, even if you try to ignore it. And it explodes in a bloom of fear and anxiety. It started as a silly thought, you know. But what if it’s right?

Being Vulnerable In The Night

You will have to pick between two options that look similar many times. You do your pros and cons list. You do your research. But you can’t decide. No hook can save you — nothing you can use to choose.So, how do you get out of this?In those past years, I tried to fight my perfectionism with the simplest solution possible. So, I came up with one question.

1 — The 51% Rule (1)

Elaborate plans are awesome when you need them. But for most decisions, you only need one move to get ahead. That’s why I will always support the One-Move Mindset.What’s the next simple and concrete step you could take right now? Answer this question to break overwhelming decisions into tiny actions. You will reduce anxiety and instantly build momentum.

4 — The One-Move Mindset (2)

Imagine your life in three distinct versions: one prioritizes safety, another passion, and a third logic. Now, every time you have a doubt that makes you overthink, think about what each version would choose to do.

6 — The Three Lives Filter (1)

This week, pick two of these methods and implement them when you’re stuck. Notice how quickly you move from hesitation to confident action.Which strategy are you choosing first? Share your experience![<a href="https://cosmopolitanmindset.substack.com/p/the-hidden-cost-of-overthinking">DOWNLOAD THE INFOGRAPHIC</a> (free for the first 30 days)]

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The Challenge

Yet, there’s a way to make decisions that will release some of the pressure — the drafting strategy.Write your decision as if it’s final. I've decided to do X because of Y. Then, take a short break. Seeing your intention clearly stated helps you sense if it’s the right move. It solidifies your intent without pressure. And it makes it easier to recognize the best choice.

5 — The Decision Drafting Strategy (2)

We often feel trapped in our minds, looping through the same thoughts without making real progress. This downward spiral usually starts with a small doubt — a thought that pierces through your mind or negative feedback. You had a moment of weakness, and your confidence collapsed. And now, you can’t stop overthinking.

Are you worthy?

Would I be 51% more satisfied with this decision a week from now? Most people will try to be 100% sure. They will want to be certain of the results they will get by choosing A instead of B. But perfectionism is the enemy of progress. And by the time you make a choice, others will have tried both options.So, don’t aim for 100% security. Don’t even aim for 90% or 80%. You only need a 1% preference in one direction. In the worst case, you will have time to switch it as you wish.

1 — The 51% Rule (2)

Overthinking feels productive, I know. But it’s not getting you closer to your goal. You are not working more only because you spend your time thinking about work. On the contrary, you are taking time away from what you should do.

The Challenge of The Week

The Three Lives Filter helps you understand which values currently guide your decisions. It forces clarity by defining your priorities and highlighting the best decision aligned with your present life.Are you looking for safety? Pick the first life. Do you want to be passionate about what you do? Choose the second life. Or do you need to be logical about a decision? The third life can help you.

6 — The Three Lives Filter (2)

But overthinking is exhausting. It drains your energy and kills your vibe. It costs you opportunities, time, and emotional energy. You might feel like you’re doing a lot because you think a lot about what to do. But you’re stuck.I know how easy it is to get caught in this endless loop. Since I started The Challenge, I have fought with those thoughts every night. That’s why I’ve spent years finding strategies that genuinely break the cycle. So, here are six unconventional methods I’ve personally tested to move quickly from thinking to doing.

Overthinking is Exhausting

Elaborate plans are awesome. I love setting them up and thinking about the impacts they will have on my career or personal growth. I like to describe each activity in detail and schedule it in strict timelines.But can you anticipate how much time I will lose overthinking each small detail? Can you guess how much time it will take to write the perfect plan that works? And then how much time will it take to maintain it and reschedule if anything doesn’t go according to plan?

4 — The One-Move Mindset (1)

In this case, your strongest trait can become a hard limitation. And you might be overthinking your way to the solution. How could you do that? How could you analytically use your fantasy? Please, stop there! You can’t do that. But you can solve this problem by answering the following question:What would I advise someone I care deeply about to do in this situation? This tactic helps detach your emotions from the issue. It provides more objective decision-making and frees you from the limits of your mindset and personality. It’s like getting into somebody else’s body and fixing the problem.

3 — The Second Self Question (2)

Overthinking has too many hidden costs. Here are 6 fast fixes you can use to get out of your head.

THE CHALLENGE OF THE WEEK

Similar ideas

#2 Take a Thirty-Day Break

4. Set a timer and a goal

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