Use this perfect 2-word phrase to stop overthinking
This is a snippet from the weekly CNBC Make It Work newsletter, written by Ashton Jackson.
These days, I find myself falling into cycles of overthinking more than usual. Even the smallest choices, like what to wear and what to eat, leave me feeling stuck in decision paralysis. Making plans for the future has been hard, as I keep thinking of worst-case scenarios. That leads to even more stress.?
Many others struggle with a similar dilemma, research shows. But two words have the power to help keep us from overthinking, according to Scott Mautz, an author and mental strength researcher: Replace “What if?” with “We’ll see.”
“‘We’ll see,’ helps you shut down inner chatter. There’s a tone of finality to it, unlike the open-ended ‘What if … ?’” Mautz says. The latter is an “impossible question to answer” anyway, he notes.
“Say you have to give a big presentation at work but you find yourself ruminating over all the things that could go wrong: ‘What if I forget what I was going to say?’” Mautz says. “Instead, try to tell yourself, ‘I know I’ve put in the work to be prepared, so now we’ll see what happens.’”
Overthinkers may have the tendency to catastrophize, or make decisions and situations seem much larger than they actually are.?
“You don’t want to create a self-fulfilling prophecy, where your doomsday thinking creates an unhelpful energy that contributes to the kind of outcome you’re afraid of,” Mautz says. “Ask yourself, ‘What hard evidence do I have that this bad outcome will actually happen?’”
As a doomsday thinker, I’m making it my mission to incorporate more “We’ll see” into my vocabulary and to remember that, likely, my decisions won’t result in the end of the world. We'll see anyway.
Check out the full story for 6 more powerful tips to stop overthinking.
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Station Manager, Kwatekeh FM Radio 96.9
3 天前Very informative
?? Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science Engineering | Seasoned Project Manager & PRINCE2 Certified | Expert in Project Delivery & Operational Efficiency ?
1 周? In this era of speed and cutthroat competition, two of its byproducts are overthinking and negative thoughts. Sometimes we suffer from various crisis issues, which cause them. ? Remember, overthinking and negative thoughts are like rocking chairs; they give us a task, but they don't take us anywhere. Negativity can trap us, leading us to lose our confidence.? ? Overthinking: Overthinking refers to our tendency to hold onto a thought for longer than it requires or merits. Without a doubt, this is a waste of our valuable time. ? Negative Thoughts: Negative thoughts are a mental process of understanding oneself, others, or the world in general. They are characterized by negative perceptions, prospects, and ascriptions, and they are associated with unpleasant emotions and unfavorable behavioral, physiological, and health outcomes. ? Watch this video for more.?? ? https://youtu.be/rrIqI6-waxk?si=iF_D-1jZH5H9K_yV
Attorney at Michael P.Sasso, P.A.
1 周Very helpful
CPA, PhD, Management Consultant
2 周Just use all the resources that you have available at the moment to ensure the outcome that you desire. That is what you call "due diligence". After that, you just do your best and hope for the best.
Open to New Opportunities | Customer Experience & Process Optimization Specialist, MBA
2 周D.A.N.E. Method for Replacing Overthinking: ?? 1. D – Detach: Step back from the "What if?" thoughts and detach from the emotional spiral. Remind yourself that you are observing your thoughts, not controlled by them. 2. A – Assess: Look at the situation objectively. What is the evidence for and against the worst-case scenario? Is it as big as it feels in the moment? 3. N – Navigate: Shift focus to what is within your control. Decide on small, manageable steps forward instead of getting lost in hypotheticals. 4. E – Embrace: Replace “What if?” with “We’ll see,” and embrace the uncertainty. This simple phrase helps you stay open to outcomes without fixating on them. Using D.A.N.E. ?? can turn overthinking into a productive way to calm the mind and approach situations with confidence. #MindfulnessTools #OvercomingOverthinking #SUNYAlbany