{"id":895,"date":"2021-07-31T17:25:25","date_gmt":"2021-07-31T16:25:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.filippoboninsegna.com\/?p=895"},"modified":"2021-07-31T17:25:27","modified_gmt":"2021-07-31T16:25:27","slug":"overthinking-decision-making","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.filippoboninsegna.com\/overthinking-decision-making\/","title":{"rendered":"Overthinking and Decision Making"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is overthinking?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To me, overthinking means taking too long<\/em> to make a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weighing the pros and cons of an option to the point where you feel overwhelmed <\/em>and unable to make up your mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is going over the limit of sensible evaluation, to the point of diminishing returns<\/em>. The further you go assessing and imagining all the possible scenarios, the more confused you become. It’s like bringing the “paradox of choice” onto you, by giving your brain too many options (taking the form of doubts) to choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is overthinking counter-productive?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overthinking is counter-productive because it delays action and increases insecurity<\/em>. And it’s only through action that you can gather real data, real feedback and achieve results. Obviously I’m not referring to potentially dangerous situations here, where extreme caution is necessary, rather than mindless and reckless behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, in many circumstances where there is no risk of permanent “damage”, you’ll be better off just doing a quick <\/em>pro’s and con’s assessment and then move on with a decision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only will you save time this way, but also, and more importantly, you’ll mental energy<\/em> that you can apply to more important areas of your life (creativity, problem-solving among others), areas with a “higher ROI” for your well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tim Ferriss<\/strong> on decision-making.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tim Ferriss wrote and talked about this at length. Here are some useful links: <\/p>\n\n\n\n