According to the National Science Foundation, the average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Of those, 80% are negative and 95% are exactly the same repetitive thoughts as the day before and about 80% are negative.
So if you have too much on your mind, forget about most of it. Thinking can be the enemy. Where does thinking occur and what is the purpose? The brain is an organ that controls all the critical functions of our body such as our heart, breathing, and sleeping.
Our wonderful mind enables us to think and to
feel. It is the part of us that takes in information from our world and experiences, transforms it into knowledge which then leads to action. Keywords: "leads to action". This is where things can go awry.
Thinking is actually the way that we talk to ourselves. That means thinking and self-talk is really the same thing. So what is so bad about thinking?
There is no question that we need to reason things through and decide what makes the most sense for us and all concerned. However, many times our thinking becomes a form of procrastination. We research, read books, ask for advice and make plans but never take action. We decide not to decide and continue to mull over the issue in our heads. A waste of time, energy and mind space.
If thinking is how we speak to ourselves, have you paid attention to what you are saying? I find that when I spend too much time thinking about an issue, the naysayers of my mind start congregating around the mental water cooler and begin conversations about doubt, judgment and overcomplicating the issue --- negative self-talk. I’m sure I am not alone. A waste of time, energy and mind space.
So how do we get out of our heads?
Notice what’s happening
"Somewhere in this process, you will come face-to-face with the sudden and shocking realization that you are completely crazy. Your mind is a shrieking gibbering madhouse on wheels barreling pell-mell down the hill utterly out of control and hopeless. No problem. You are not crazier than you were yesterday. It has always been this way and you just never noticed. You are also no crazier than
everybody else around you. The only real difference is that you have confronted the situation they have not." ― Bhante Henepola Gunaratana
Being aware and noticing that you are overthinking allows you to do something about it. Pay attention to your thoughts. When you notice that you are in a loop of overthinking, acknowledge it without judgment and tell yourself to "STOP!" This will quickly disrupt and stop the inner critic and negative train of thought. Once you stop, do something else. Do anything else.
Set a deadline for a decision
"The decision you make isn’t the important thing, it’s the fact that you just make it; do it relatively quickly; just stick with it and remain flexible.
--- Susie Moore, Business and Life Coach
You want to make the best decision. You need to be able to anticipate the outcomes and plan for them. You need to know….before we can move forward. "Stop!
Think about this. If you are spending that much time thinking about the issue, the issue isn’t a life or death situation. If it was you would have already made a decision.
That being said, whatever you decide is not final. It can be changed. If you decide to take the promotion and it isn’t what you expected, you can work on changing it; if you choose to take a course and it doesn’t work out you can change it.
So set a deadline. Tell yourself you have 'X' amount of time to make a decision and then make it. A decision is made so you can take action.Make a decision, stay the course but remain flexible.
Stay in the Present Moment
"Nothing has happened in the past; it happened in the Now. Nothing will ever happen in the future; it will happen in the Now."--- Eckhart Tolle
If you stay in the present moment and not in the what could happen in the future or what occurred in the past you will drop out of your head and into your heart. Your intuition, your "gut-feelings" will guide you.
To help you get out of your head:
Meditate: It doesn't have to take a lot of time or have to be perfect. You can use an app such as Insight Timer or Calm. Or you can take a few minutes a day to focus on your breathing.
Gratitude: Take time daily to write down what or who you are grateful for. It will keep you focused on the present, plus it has a myriad of other benefits.
Follow your passion: Make time to do the activities you love; your hobbies and passions. When you are completely engrossed in what you are doing it feels good. This is when you are fully present. Recognize the feeling and incorporate into your life every day.
Don’t let your thinking or
overthinking prevent you from getting the results you want. My advice, stop thinking and start doing.
‘Your mind is a terrible thing to waste.’
~Nancy Wish It. Dream It. Do It!
Nancy Smith Vibrant You Coaching "Faith, Focus, Finish"
