We all overthink—especially when the stakes feel high, the outcome feels unclear, or we’re afraid of making the wrong move.
But overthinking rarely leads to clarity. It leads to second-guessing, hesitation, and exhaustion.

The truth? Most overthinking is just disguised fear.
Fear of choosing wrong. Fear of being judged. Fear of wasting time or effort. So we keep thinking it through, again and again and again.

What If You Didn't Need to Solve Everything First?

Here’s the shift:

What if overthinking isn’t a problem to fix—but a signal to move anyway?

That one shift changes everything. Because most of the clarity you're looking for shows up after you move—not before.

Try These 3 Reframes This Week

1. Overthinking or Overcontrolling?

Ask: Am I trying to control the outcome before I even start?
When you catch yourself playing out every scenario, stop and take the first small action instead.

2. Shrink the risk

Most overthinking assumes everything is all or nothing. Instead ask:
What’s a low-stakes version of this decision I could test today?

3. Reclaim your brain

Use a physical anchor. Take a walk, make a list, say the decision out loud.
Thinking isn't the enemy—spinning is. Break the loop by shifting your environment.

The What If Question:

What if I don’t need to know all the answers—I just need to take the next step?

Want more questions like this? Subscribe to The What If Weekly.

Or explore the book Start With What If for 52 weekly shifts that help you think and act differently—starting today.

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FAQs for “How to Stop Overthinking Everything”

❓ Why do I overthink everything?

Overthinking is often just fear in disguise—fear of choosing wrong, being judged, or wasting time. It feels like you’re trying to solve the problem, but it usually leads to hesitation and burnout instead of clarity.

❓ How do I stop overthinking and start taking action?

Try asking: Am I trying to control the outcome before I even begin? Then take one small step forward. Action creates clarity faster than spinning through scenarios in your head.

❓ What’s a better way to make decisions without overthinking?

Shrink the risk. Instead of going all in, test a low-stakes version first. That one move can break the loop and help you move forward with less pressure.

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About Doug Fleener

Doug is the creator of The What If Rule and author of Start With What If. He helps people create better perspectives and options through one powerful question at a time. Subscribe to his newsletter or check out the book to start your shift.