Overthinker Paradox: If you constantly plan, you won’t get anywhere

It's Tuesday evening. I'm sitting on the couch, thinking about which publisher I could submit my book synopsis to. I google it. I find it. I can't decide, so I write a pros and cons list.

3 hours later...

...I've found a potentially suitable publisher, and it occurs to me that self-publishing might also be a good alternative. At this point, there are only two chapters of the book in question. Why am I worrying about Step 10 when I'm on Step 2? This happens to me often. I naturally tend to overthink lengthy processes—like writing a book—from start to finish, getting caught up in my very detailed plans instead of just getting on with it. At some point, I think in frustration: "If only I had gotten out my laptop and started typing—I'd probably be finished by now."

The book is one thing, but I also tend to get into the optimization frenzy when it comes to "smaller," more everyday to-dos. A weekend trip is coming up? I can't just throw two T-shirts and a pair of jeans into my backpack (like my boyfriend), no! I first check the weather, then write a packing list before deciding whether to take the rolling suitcase or the backpack, and finally, I consider possible outfit combinations...

And two weeks ago, when I wanted to get the patio ready for summer, I started scouring the internet (after writing the obligatory list) for suitable partial shade plants – instead of putting on gloves and gathering last fall's dried leaves. I wasn't so cerebral before. Where has my inner doer gone?

This is how you realize that you are overdoing it with planning

I only questioned my urge to plan and strategize after reading an article on the "overthinking paradox." It states: "Spending hours strategizing can slow action and progress. The constant overthinking poses a greater threat to success than failure itself." I immediately recognize myself in the pattern: I try to develop a perfect plan that eliminates potential missteps or inefficiencies before I even begin.

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It goes on to say: "Any premature optimization is a form of avoiding the actual work." So, am I actually lazy? Hmm. It's the case with packing; I'm pretty sure I'm avoiding the actual task. Since I learned that, I've at least noticed pretty quickly when I'm falling into the overthinker trap – and these three steps help me free myself as quickly as possible.

3 steps to overcome premature optimization

1. Identify patterns. If I notice the urge to optimize returning, I pause for a moment and try to identify the problem specifically. For example: "I'm currently lost in the search for a suitable publisher because I want to avoid writing." This usually helps me find a way out of procrastination.
2. Breaking down goals into milestones: I mentally divide my tasks and projects into different steps, which I tackle one after the other(!) . This way, I practice not starting on step five before I've even completed steps one, two, three, and four. Sticking to the order is challenging, but essential.
3. Interrupting optimization tendencies. I'm going to switch off the problematic patterns for a while. This is often easier than overcoming them completely. My goal: to write one book page per day for the next four weeks and not allow myself to be distracted by other topics like cover design, acknowledgements, and the like, which are completely irrelevant at the moment.

Being an overthinker isn't inherently a disadvantage; it also means being motivated and ambitious, with an inner drive to perform well. The paradox is that this inner drive can lead us to fall into the optimization frenzy, which sabotages projects rather than advances them.

eke Brigitte

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