I've never come across an explanation if what's between overthinking and under thinking before! This is brilliant. It's often so much harder to aim for something u defined, so this will be helpful to a lot of people.
Also, this line makes me think that "just right" thinking is actually just trust in oneself: "In life decisions, just-right thinking is acting before momentum fades. You gather only the data needed to test the idea safely." You know how much data is needed to test the idea safely when you can imagine the potential setbacks and how you'd respond to them. So that amount of data will be different for everyone, but the feeling behind "that's enough data now" is the same - it's the feeling that you can ride whatever waves come your way.
love the concept of a minimum viable window of action and how practical the tips for when you’re still feeling stuck are! will def be implementing these in my life
I arrive at that third zone by leaning into overthinking.
I let myself ruminate, journal and speak to confidants about major decisions until I get tired of thinking about it. What emerges a few days later is a subconscious understanding of the way forward. This is when I act.
With a recent decision, I found that the overthinker still worries, but the voice is more detached. You could say I feel the way forward in my bones, and am comfortable acting despite the concerns.
I've been thinking along similar lines lately, around how I can tend to be addicted to "research" and under-index on action. There are concepts in decision theory around assessing the "expected value of information" when decisions/outcomes are quantifiable, I think there's probably something similar for everyday life that looks something like:
EVI ≈ (Probability this changes your action) × (Upside of the better action) − (Cost of getting + integrating the info) − (Cost of delay)
you can tinker with any of the variables here, some inputs are highly influential (talking to somebody who has your "dream job" before you change careers), some decisions have wide ranges of outcomes (careers), some info is costly and takes a long time (getting a degree)... but some inputs aren't so influential, some decisions have limited potential upside, and/or some info is really cheap to get!
I can totally see myself in this post. Chronic over thinker. Thinking being an asset for me ( and also praised especially when young) and a curse at the same time. The antidote I am finding these days is to go through as many scary things as possible and telling myself, " this is no big deal, just something I am doing". I took up skiing at 40+, relaunched this substack and generally trying to be more adventurous in my endeavours. I can't count the ideas I have had over the years that felt exciting at 2 am and that melted down in the light of the morning. Perhaps it's an age thing, I just feel there is less and less time to overthink things and I just have to give it a go.Love the Yoga analogy!
I love that, thanks for sharing Mariella! Funny you mention skiing - it's something I've never done and this winter was the first time I considered joining a beginners ski trip. I didn't in the end, but it's encouraging hearing you taking it up later in life :)
A very similar story happened to me, when on day 1, my backflip instructor stood right beside me and the first thing he made me do was to attempt a backflip straight away (assisted, but I didn't know at the time). He said “You already have what it takes to do the backflip. You just need to get over the fear and learn to commit”. Looking back, that was so true.
I've never come across an explanation if what's between overthinking and under thinking before! This is brilliant. It's often so much harder to aim for something u defined, so this will be helpful to a lot of people.
Also, this line makes me think that "just right" thinking is actually just trust in oneself: "In life decisions, just-right thinking is acting before momentum fades. You gather only the data needed to test the idea safely." You know how much data is needed to test the idea safely when you can imagine the potential setbacks and how you'd respond to them. So that amount of data will be different for everyone, but the feeling behind "that's enough data now" is the same - it's the feeling that you can ride whatever waves come your way.
I liked this.
love the concept of a minimum viable window of action and how practical the tips for when you’re still feeling stuck are! will def be implementing these in my life
Thanks, Ame!
I arrive at that third zone by leaning into overthinking.
I let myself ruminate, journal and speak to confidants about major decisions until I get tired of thinking about it. What emerges a few days later is a subconscious understanding of the way forward. This is when I act.
With a recent decision, I found that the overthinker still worries, but the voice is more detached. You could say I feel the way forward in my bones, and am comfortable acting despite the concerns.
First of all, I never got to that pose in Yoga. second, really powerful perspective for over-thinkers and perfectionists. Love the 3 second rule.
Great insights. Our information environment definitely doesn't help with this—infinite material to overthink with.
I need to go to your yoga class!
I've been thinking along similar lines lately, around how I can tend to be addicted to "research" and under-index on action. There are concepts in decision theory around assessing the "expected value of information" when decisions/outcomes are quantifiable, I think there's probably something similar for everyday life that looks something like:
EVI ≈ (Probability this changes your action) × (Upside of the better action) − (Cost of getting + integrating the info) − (Cost of delay)
you can tinker with any of the variables here, some inputs are highly influential (talking to somebody who has your "dream job" before you change careers), some decisions have wide ranges of outcomes (careers), some info is costly and takes a long time (getting a degree)... but some inputs aren't so influential, some decisions have limited potential upside, and/or some info is really cheap to get!
this move looks insane
not as insane as your gym + run routine... :P
I can totally see myself in this post. Chronic over thinker. Thinking being an asset for me ( and also praised especially when young) and a curse at the same time. The antidote I am finding these days is to go through as many scary things as possible and telling myself, " this is no big deal, just something I am doing". I took up skiing at 40+, relaunched this substack and generally trying to be more adventurous in my endeavours. I can't count the ideas I have had over the years that felt exciting at 2 am and that melted down in the light of the morning. Perhaps it's an age thing, I just feel there is less and less time to overthink things and I just have to give it a go.Love the Yoga analogy!
I love that, thanks for sharing Mariella! Funny you mention skiing - it's something I've never done and this winter was the first time I considered joining a beginners ski trip. I didn't in the end, but it's encouraging hearing you taking it up later in life :)
A very similar story happened to me, when on day 1, my backflip instructor stood right beside me and the first thing he made me do was to attempt a backflip straight away (assisted, but I didn't know at the time). He said “You already have what it takes to do the backflip. You just need to get over the fear and learn to commit”. Looking back, that was so true.
okay, maybe backflip should be next on my list... 😬😂
All over thinkers know we need to cut it out. But the yoga imagery and “just-right thinking” description is a great way to ‘feel it’
thanks you, Angel!