The Overthinker's Trap

When Having Options Becomes Your Prison

You don't need a better system.

You need to stop juggling five of them at once.

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I tend to over think. I over research. And I get distracted by shiny objects.

In principle, I know I want to do something. Whether it is to meditate, or journal, or to work on my strength, or learn a new skill, or to add breath work to my morning routine.

There's no doubt that doing it will add immense value - there's a reason I arrived at the why/what of it.

But I will start looking at seven different forms of meditation (or pranayama, or whatever.) And just be stuck in analysis paralysis.

If you are like me, here's what I have learned from the above.

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Step 1: Pick one thing. Do it for a month.

When you're an overthinker, it's tempting to do Morning Pages and a gratitude journal and a decision log.

You research. You optimise. You layer. And then you freeze.

That was me - drowning in options, trying to do them all. Getting overwhelmed.

It wasn't just journaling.

When I first learned about Strong Endurance protocols, I wanted to do two of them.

At the same time.

Plus my mobility routine. Plus my crawl routine.

I lasted maybe two weeks before it all collapsed - and I was left with guilt, fatigue, and zero momentum.

Most of your clarity comes after you've stuck with one thing.

Not before.

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Step 2: If it works, keep going.

Ignore the guilt of leaving other options on the table.

If your one pick is giving you value - stick with it. Don't switch. Don't tweak. Don't “improve” it.

Just do it. Every day.

For at least three months.

One rule only: never skip two days in a row.

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Step 3: If it doesn't work, switch.

Don't quit aimlessly. Reflect and document:

• What worked?

• What didn't?

• Why are you unsure?

Then park it.

Pick the next most exciting option.

Commit to it for 30 days. Daily.

That's how you build your toolbox.

That's how you earn real context - not just theory.

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Why this works

Clarity beats complexity.

The problem isn't that you lack good options. It's that you're trying to use them all at once.

You build confidence through commitment.

When you finish 30 days of anything, you build trust in yourself - not just in the method.

You accumulate real-life context.

You stop wondering what might work. You know what works for you.

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I wish I had done this earlier.

It would've saved me months of noise, guilt, and second-guessing.

But you don't have to wait.

Pick one. Go deep. One rep at a time.

What's your one thing going to be?