Is your overthinking turning into a bad habit? Here’s what you can do

I have a terrible habit of overthinking, especially when it comes to content. It turned into a bad habit when I realised I was wasting time on it or I wasn’t taking action.

Overthinking (as a bad habit) is really common and after a recent discussion with one of my coaches, this is what you can do to help change the habit if it’s not supporting you.

Changing a bad habit starts with:

1. Being self-aware of what the habit is

2. Understanding why you think the habit is happening and work out if the reason is validated

3. Visualise how you would like to be instead

4. What are the actions you need to take to get where you want to be. This requires listing out specific actions or creating a checklist of action points to follow and sticking to it — move forward!

5. Be patient. Bad habits don’t change overnight so celebrate any small progress you make.

“When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.”

— WINSTON CHURCHILL

However change is a process and it can be uncomfortable. So be kind to yourself and allow yourself time to move towards positive change.

More often than not, what you’re thinking is not as bad as it seems in your mind. We are our worst critics.