Sometimes we think about things too long. In some cases a moment is too long. We choose to run said things through a vigorous mental process of possible scenarios and outcomes, supported by a well meant (in most cases) crisis anticipation plan of sorts. All this of course being based on our hope of a desired result, albeit completely at the mercy of an undeterminable future. Simply put, we just don’t want to get it wrong … we maybe even want it to be perfect!
I too am “guilty” of all of these things but sometimes we can take it too far. When does too much thought or a desire for perfection create a lack of action that ultimately stifles us or leads us on a journey of worry about all of the above … why can’t we just begin?
Even writing this I can feel a tinge of “am I getting this right” and, just for the record, I have already reread and corrected the first paragraph too many times. But who’s to say it’s even up to me to make this call? Depending who you ask, maybe I always get things right or maybe I always get things wrong (or anywhere in between). At the end of the day it’s just their perspective or opinion and ultimately it’s ‘not applicable’.
At The Social Adviser we are involved regularly with wonderful people who let these ‘obstacles to action’ prevent them from truly believing in their unique value and/or their ability to strive courageously into the future unhindered by others expectations and opinions or their own doubts, fears or the worry of letting others down. They hold themselves back from the world because don’t feel they have anything “special” to add to an already hugely populated planet or that they maybe aren’t deserving of the praise or recognition that would come from such endeavors anyway.
Whether it’s a foray into the new world of Social Business, you’re just starting out in business yourself or even simply finding direction or making a decision about a perplexing problem or situation, to get more of what you want and do more of what you really love to do, you need to shed these illusions, put yourself first and in the inspirational words of Shia LaBeouf ‘Just DO IT!’.
So, in regards to thinking …
- It’s okay to not know all the answers.
- Don’t let overthinking destroy your momentum.
- Sometimes it is best to just let things happen.
- Find the wisdom under the logic.
- Don’t fall into bad habits of thinking (e.g. misery loves company).
- Don’t fear mistakes; they’re only lessons.
- Think less, love more, do more.
- Keep it simple.
- Let it go.
If you feel so obliged to read on I am going to tell you a little story about a situation I found myself in recently …
It’s a ludicrous analogy that highlights the consuming power of thought, in action, illusory fear, social programming and that constant yet somewhat suppressing desire to avoid “mistakes” – all elements of the human condition of which I must conclude are A BIG WASTE OF PRECIOUS TIME AND ENERGY!
This is a situation so intrinsically selfish and ‘first world’ but possibly “suffered” by tens of millions of women (and men I am sure ;-)) every single day – what should I do with my hair?
Due to my previously admitted trait of sometimes ‘thinking about things too long’ but also my previously unmentioned pseudo-obsession for ‘questing for truth’, I was, however, able to break this situation down and truly see it for what it really was. In turn, I could clearly overlay the same fundamentals of this experience on a multitude of others more serious situations I have witnessed through others, our greater society and the world at large, on a big and small scale.
And so it goes … I have had really long hair for a really long time. I was possibly feeling a little bored with it one day (note, boredom is also an illusion) and decided that I would cut it short and reasonably short in comparison. What followed was several weeks of hesitation and inaction ending with disillusionment and then, thankfully, realization. These 4 ‘states of being’ were all figments of my mind that were a reality to me during that time via a relentless number of thought forms. I am sharing the ones I recall best with you below as another example of why overthinking is A BIG WASTE OF PRECIOUS TIME AND ENERGY! And it was about a protein filament called hair *sigh*.
FEAR
- “Will it look ugly?”
- “Will I look older?”
- “What if I regret it?”
JUSTIFYING FEAR
- “It doesn’t have to be perfect.”
- “It grows back.”
- “It won’t take as long to wash.”
- “I won’t have to tie it up.”
- “I won’t spend as much on products.”
BLAMING THE WORLD
- “Historically long hair was a ridiculous sign of prestige.”
- “You can’t even show your hair in some parts of the world.”
- “Eurgh, I probs look like a stereotypical blonde with long hair anyway.”
REBELLING AGAINST THE WORLD
- “Oppressors have cut people’s hair to bring them into submission.”
- “I should just shave my head then.”
- “I would prefer it was blue anyway.”
THE LIGHT OF REASON
- “Comfort zones suck.”
- “Change is good.”
- “Nothing is permanent.”
- “It’s not a competition.”
- “So what?”
- “No regrets EVER!”
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
- “WT…!”
- “Make an appointment right now, dang it.”
POST HAIRCUT
- “It’s time to get on with my life.”
NOT OVERTHINKING IN FUTURE
- “FREEEEEDDOOOOMMMM!!!”
Like I said, I was able to break this situation down and truly see it for what it really was and how it relates to so many other conflicting life/world situations. The number one reason for rampant deluges of consuming thoughts appears right there, at the top of the list – FEAR.
It’s only ever our thoughts that create our reality, our world – think about it!
“Hrmm, I think this article is too long … pfft.”