Overthink or Just Do It! How to Stop Procrastination In Its Tracks

Hello my name is Gennia and I’m an overthinker.
I want to know where I’m going, how I’m getting there and the different routes, just in case. I can wear myself out before I get going. (The reasons we overthink are a therapy session on it’s own and I’m not getting in to that now.)

You see that Post It note up there? I wrote that one morning (with a bunch of others) and stuck it on my desk – front and center.

The irony of this note was not lost on me when I heard back from one of my Storytelling Coaching clients. I already spent a few sessions listening to her, identifying her stories, gave her homework on strategies for using her stories and prompts to get her started on writing them. Weeks passed and no homework, no stories – just excuses (wrapped in some very good reasons).

The last email went something like this:

“I am having the hardest time with this assignment…

Still confused about how to use my stories. I feel like I should have a plan, and know where they will fit in …”

What did I do? I began to doubt myself. Maybe I didn’t give her enough direction. I need to put more structure in there. What kind of a coach am I? It was about to ruin a good night’s sleep.

The more I thought about it I realized I wrote everything out, reviewed it with her, gave her lots of notes, suggestions, strategies and talked it over again. I kept emailing to ask if she had an questions to call/email/text – whatever.

Wait a minute – I know that animal – She is overthinking!! BOOM! Of course I knew just what to say.

MY EMAIL RESPONSE:

“Guess what? You’re overthinking this. You don’t have to know where you are putting the story to write it. Your left brain and right brain are fighting – they have to play together.

Story
I was driving with a friend to Panama City Beach, FL (5 1/2 hour drive). Neither of us had been there.
Days before we left I Googled it, knew the route, researched the restaurants, hotel, looked at the rooms, calculated how far we were from the beach and how long it would take to get there.
My friend got in the car and just started driving, no GPS, no map – She said I know it’s north, so once we get to a certain point I’ll look it up.
I didn’t know people lived like that ! 🙂

I’m more Type A and I “GPS” just about everything in my life.
She is a fly by the seat of your pants girl and figures it out along the way.
Both of our ways got us there.

Moral of the story – you don’t always have to know the where and the how. Sometimes you have to just start driving.

Pick one of the stories I gave you and just write it.
Once I read it through I can pull out parts of it and show you how you can use on Facebook, your blog or for a particular product or service.

Come on, you can do this!”

———————–

As the only person in my business, there are some things I can’t afford to overthink.

One of the things I’m proudest of myself this year is pushing past the overthinking and getting things done – it feels wonderful, productive and extra good on the pocketbook. At a certain point there is no more research, analyzing or reviewing that needs to be done. Do the damn thing!

To my fellow overthinkers, here are some things that work for me:

Recognize that I’m overthinking (ie. been researching online for a while, have too many notes, deadline is approaching, head is spinning).
If I’m doing research online, sometimes I yell “rabbit hole” and turn the computer off.
Check the list I made (’cause you know I have lists) and pick one thing to finish.
When I start researching, set the timer and pull the plug at a specific point.
Start doing it – DUH.
Ask for help – most times it’s because I’m stuck. My friends know me. A quick phone call or meeting, we tackle the issue (preferably over chai tea) with papers and laptop in hand – I’m over the hump.
As one of my fellow entrepreneurs quotes to me from time to time (and you know who you are), It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be done. (You don’t have to put out shoddy work, but certain things can be done and tweaked later).

Are you the classic over thinker or do you just do it?

Do you GPS everything or hit the road and figure it out on the way there?

I’m curious.