How Do You Know When Your Thinking Stops Being Helpful?

Most capable people don’t struggle because they don’t think enough. They struggle because they keep thinking long after thinking has stopped helping. At first, it feels responsible. Careful. Smart. Then slowly, it becomes heavy. ★ You replay the same decision ★ You run scenarios without new information ★ You feel more tense after “thinking it through” That’s the signal. HELPFUL THINKING HAS DIRECTION UNHELPFUL THINKING LOOPS When thinking is useful, it leads somewhere. When it isn’t, it keeps you busy while nothing changes. For many high-functioning adults, this happens when thinking shifts from solving a problem to trying to avoid discomfort. Instead of asking: → “What’s the right decision?” Try asking: → “What do I actually need to know to take the next step?” This brings thinking back into action — where confidence is rebuilt. A SIMPLE PRACTICE • Name the decision you’re circling • Write what you already know • Choose one small, imperfect action Then stop thinking and let movement do the rest. Confidence grows when you see yourself handle what comes next — not when you eliminate uncertainty in advance. If this pattern feels familiar, you don’t need motivation. You need steadier decision support. Learn more or start a conversation here: https://schedule.theunshakablemind.net/widget/bookings/discovery-call-with-kole