Don't Think, Just Do - Stop Thinking to Change Your Life

What stopped the last idea you had from coming to life? What could you have done differently to have changed that outcome? Don’t worry, I’m asking myself these same questions! 

How many times have I talked myself out of doing something because I thought about it too much? It became more daunting with all the details I allowed to overwhelm my mind, to the point where I gave up on the idea, and gave up on myself. This year, I want to show up for myself and my ideas. 

This year, I want to show up for myself and my ideas.

Someone once said, don't think, just do. Much like many other platitudes, it’s easier said than done. I’m the type of person who overthinks a lot of what I do. I’m unsure if this is a nature thing or nurture, but I overthink and that’s that. It’s something I want to end, but it’s a part of who I am. On one hand, it has saved me from a lot but on the other hand, it’s hindered me from fully living and attempting things I know I want to accomplish. 

Take my podcast for instance: I’ve completed two seasons of audio-only episodes, and as I enter production on season three, I’m going back and forth between if I want to introduce video into the episodes. There are many reasons to stick with audio only, but do I want to hinder the growth of my podcast because I want to be safe and, to be honest, lazy? I’ve contemplated this for many months, but I’ve gotten tired of the seesaw thinking, so now I want to simply do. And that’s what it boils down to: make a simple decision. Life is like that, make a decision and see it through. If I experience obstacles, I can pivot and still be successful. Ultimately, I want to trust my gut to move forward with the tough decisions. Because if I don’t trust me, who can I trust?!

Life is like that, make a decision and see it through.

Another platitude I’ve heard lately is not to be attached to the outcome. Girl, what?? Is it just me, or is this harder than the first platitude? Isn’t that why we do anything? To achieve the outcome we’re seeking? Speaking for myself, why would I want to attempt something if there’s a possibility I won’t obtain what I want? As I get older, I learn I cannot control everything. This isn’t a novel idea, but it’s something I have to keep coming back to center to remember. I even have a mantra in my phone that states: Things that happen out of my control are for my protection. Guess how many times I’ve had to look at this or conjure it up in my mind? If you guessed countless, you’d be correct. I think, if I can control the outcome or how someone behaves in a friendship, etc., then I’ll get what I want and be happy. But I cannot control anything other than myself, period. Combine the two goals of not being attached to the outcome with knowing I cannot control everything, I’d be in an amazing place where I do, I experience, and I achieve things I’ve never imagined. Picture the growth! Sprinkle in a little: don’t think, just do, and I’m unstoppable! 

I don’t want to discount the benefits of thinking before you do. There are options to weigh and consider how to be smart about launching a business, a project, going full force into an expensive hobby, etc. but at a certain point, you’ve done all the thinking and gathering counsel that is helpful and you simply have to do! It’s almost impossible to move forward when you delay doing. Remember, there is no outcome if you don’t do, so get to it! (That blunt advice is to me as much as it is to you). 

I present to you 2 challenges:

1. Tell me in the comments ONE thing you are presently overthinking.

2. What is ONE thing you can DO today without overthinking it? 

Repeat this mantra: I am in an amazing place where I do, I experience, and I achieve things I’ve never imagined.