“We are dying from overthinking. We are slowly killing ourselves by thinking about everything. Think. Think. Think. You can never trust the human mind anyway. It’s a death trap.”
– Anthony Hopkins
“What if no one wants to read what I write?”
It was a silly question.
Especially considering that I hadn’t written anything yet. I asked this question a lot when I was first trying to break into the online writing scene…
…and it didn’t help.
Overthinking typically consists of brooding about step 10… when you haven’t even taken step 1.
And that can cripple our progress.
Why do we do it?
Let’s be honest.
Here are 7 common reasons that we overthink stuff (the illusion AND the truth)…
1. Perfectionism
The Illusion: The belief that you must produce perfect work, or else it’s not worth doing at all.
The Truth: Perfection is an unattainable standard. Striving for continuous improvement and valuing effort over perfection is a healthier and more realistic approach.
2. Low Self-Esteem
The Illusion: You might feel that you’re not good enough and that your efforts won’t be valued.
The Truth: Everyone has unique talents and skills. It’s about recognizing your worth and trusting your abilities.
3. Fear of Failure
The Illusion: You dread making mistakes and see failure as a symbol of incompetence.
The Truth: Failure is an integral part of growth and learning. It’s not a reflection of your abilities, but an opportunity to learn and improve.
4. Fear of Rejection
The Illusion: You worry that if your work isn’t perfect or if you make a mistake, others will reject or criticize you.
The Truth: Everyone faces criticism and rejection, but it doesn’t define your worth. Constructive criticism can help you improve, and rejection is often a sign that there’s a better opportunity awaiting.
5. Difficulty Making Decisions
The Illusion: You’re afraid to make a decision because you’re uncertain of the outcome.
The Truth: No one can predict the future. All we can do is make the best decision with the information we have at the time and adjust our course as necessary.
6. Need For Control
The Illusion: You feel the need to control every aspect of your work and fear the unexpected.
The Truth: We can’t control everything. Embracing uncertainty and adapting to change are crucial aspects of success and personal growth.
7. Anxiety
The Illusion: You might feel like your worries and fears are valid predictors of negative outcomes.
The Truth: Anxiety often magnifies potential problems, leading to excessive worry over things that might never happen. Learning to manage anxiety can help you focus on the present moment and take productive action.