57. Sometimes you just need to get out of your own way!

If you are an over thinker, if you make up scenarios in your head, or you tell yourself that you can't 

then this article is for you.  

Below is a picture of me and my horse Chilly. 

I have signed us up to a 122km horse ride next year along the rail trail. 

I could give myself a hundred reasons not to do it. 

- We need to train. 

- I don't know the other people. 

- Traffic, animals, bikes on the trail etc. etc etc. 

I could keep adding lots more blockers.  

I think it is definitely going to be hard. 

But instead I am going to give myself one reason to do it. 

I have always wanted to go on a long ride. 

It is going to be amazing. 

The thing for me to work on over the next 6 months is my training and also my mindset. 

My own confidence. 

My confidence to try and do hard things.

Plus having a plan to get me there. 

What are the actions or things that I put in place over the next 6 months that are going to give me the confidence that I can do this. 

Give it a go so to speak.

Make a plan - take action. 

If you are someone who umm’s and ahhh’s over whether you should do something.

Here are some strategies that you may consider.

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Mindfulness and Meditation:

• Practice mindfulness techniques to bring your attention to the present moment.
• Engage in meditation to calm your mind and focus on your breath.
• Mindfulness helps break the cycle of overthinking by redirecting your thoughts to the current situation rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

Set Time Limits for Decision-Making:

• Give yourself a specific amount of time to make a decision.
• Set realistic deadlines and avoid dwelling on the decision beyond that time frame.
• This helps prevent overthinking and forces you to take action rather than getting stuck in a loop of indecision.

Challenge Negative Thoughts:

• Identify and challenge irrational or negative thoughts.
• Ask yourself if your thoughts are based on facts or assumptions.
• Replace negative thoughts with more positive and realistic ones.
• Cognitive-behavioral techniques can be useful for changing thought patterns.

Create a Plan of Action:

• Break down overwhelming tasks into smaller, more manageable steps.
• Create a plan of action, focusing on one step at a time.
• This approach helps shift your focus from the big picture, which can be overwhelming, to concrete, achievable tasks.

Practice Self-Compassion:

• Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes or faces challenges.
• Avoid harsh self-judgment and negative self-talk.
• Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding that you would offer to a friend facing a similar situation.
• Remember that overcoming overthinking is a gradual process, and different strategies may work for different people. 

It's essential to be patient with yourself as you develop new habits and coping mechanisms. 

This Week’s Action Step

What is something that have been wanting to do for a while?

How could you start to move towards this?  

See you next week. xx