MMM: Overthinking’s ugly brother- Procrastination

Very helpful information here for you- lately I have been getting ALOT of DMs about this topic. So check it out..

I've been reflecting on overthinking lately—probably overthinking about overthinking, to be honest. Then, I came across a quote by Eliezer Yudkowsky that really struck a chord:

"This is your annual reminder that you don’t need to resolve your issues, you don’t need to deal with your emotional baggage, you don’t need to process your trauma, you don’t need to confront your past, you don’t need to figure yourself out, you can just go ahead and do the thing."

We often trick ourselves into thinking we need to have everything figured out before we take action. We believe we can't move forward until our thoughts are perfectly aligned. Whether it’s leaving a job, starting a project, or asking out someone we like, we feel we must first deal with everything we think is holding us back. But life doesn't wait. Time keeps moving, regardless of whether we’ve created the perfect conditions to act.

Dr. Emma Larson, a seasoned clinical psychologist, had spent years unraveling the complexities of the human psyche. Among her most intriguing patients was John, a gifted graphic designer with aspirations of launching his own agency. Despite his remarkable talent and unwavering passion, John was ensnared by the grip of procrastination.

In their sessions, John divulged a relentless cycle: he set lofty goals but then became mired in overthinking, paralyzed by the fear of failure. This overthinking led to habitual procrastination, which only intensified his anxiety. The more he delayed, the harsher he judged himself, deepening his self-doubt and fortifying his apprehension about taking action.

Dr. Larson explained to John that procrastination often masks a deeper fear of inadequacy. The mind, in an attempt to shield itself from perceived threats, opts for delay, creating a false sense of security. However, this delay only magnifies stress, as unfulfilled tasks loom ominously and grow more intimidating with time.

By grasping this psychological pitfall, John learned to deconstruct his ambitious goals into smaller, attainable steps. Dr. Larson encouraged him to prioritize progress over perfection, enabling him to act despite his fears. Gradually, John realized that even imperfect action alleviated his overthinking and curtailed his procrastination, propelling him steadily toward his dreams.

Moral of the story, stay in a state of action before overthinking sets in.

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