How to Resist Overthinking Decisions

Scientifically, overthinking is not a singular phenomenon. But because the experience is common to many people, we use an umbrella term to describe different mental patterns. In this article, you will learn to spot typical patterns you may fall into, and how you can not only resist those patterns but also make better decisions and feel more confident in them.

But thinking more usually improves decisions!

Much of the scientific literature on decision-making recommends taking more time and reviewing more data. When advising leaders, social scientists and business scholars alike recommend practices that slow the decision process and force a wider range of evidence to be considered. In my own work developing people's leadership, communication and influencing skills, my goal is to instill a pause before your automatic response, so you can respond in a manner that is more effective than your usual, default approach.

However, thinking longer does not always improve outcomes and can cause emotional distress. So, when does thinking become overthinking: a repetitive loop that feels unpleasant and does not improve decision quality?

Please select this link to read the complete article from Psychology Today.