Working Conversations Episode 51:

Are You an Over-Thinker or an Under-Thinker?

You can thank me later.

 “Sometimes the worst thing you can be is in your own head.” - Unknown

Do you over analyze everything and frequently land in analysis paralysis?

Or are you more impulsive in your decision making and actions?

Whether you said yes to the first statement or on the second, that’s normal. In fact, I consider myself a chronic over-thinker!

But, my friends, neither one is better than the other.

I think we all err toward one or the other, even though we might sometimes imagine ourselves to be perfectly balanced, thinking just the right amount about each decision or each action we take or thing we say.

In this episode, we’ll take a look at the drawbacks of both over-thinking and under-thinking as we explore the relational and decision making costs of both over-analysis and under-analysis.

And if you’ve been a loyal listener of this podcast, I’m quite sure you know that I have prepared strategies and steps for you to follow.

Listen here or wherever you listen to podcasts to catch the full episode.

HOW TO OVERCOME BEING AN OVER THINKER OR AN UNDER THINKER

Over-thinker:

1. Time bound your decision making. Do your research, think it through but set a time limit.
2. Tap into the confidence that you have a good idea, an important contribution, or you know the right thing to say. Don’t leave a conversation without your ideas or reactions being part of it.
3. If you are ruminating or perseverating about something that might happen or has already happened, catch yourself in it and stop to live in the moment.

Under-thinker:

1. Set aside time to prepare for important conversations, meetings, or decisions. Think about how to best frame your ideas or thoughts in relation to what you anticipate their position to be.
2. Slow yourself down in meetings, conversations, and in decision making. Take a deep breath before taking a turn and consider how your words will impact others.
3. Watch for the after-effects of things you’ve said or done. Be aware that your under-thinking can come off as selfish or uncaring.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

All You Have Is Now - https://workingconversations.com/46