We all know that one person.
You know, the one who’s always worrying and thinking and never taking any action. They’re stuck in their head, and it’s holding them back from achieving their goals.
I used to be the same way. I would overthink every decision, analyze every possible outcome, and never take any action. But eventually, I realized that this approach wasn’t getting me anywhere. I was stuck in a cycle of paralysis by analysis.
So, I decided to change things up. And it worked. I started taking small steps and seeing results. And you can too. All you need to do is stop worrying and start doing.
What is the thinking trap?
We all know that voice in our head that tells us we’re not good enough, that we can’t do it, or that we’re just not cut out for this. That’s the thinking trap in action, and it can be incredibly paralyzing.
This is a negative pattern of thought that we get stuck in, and it’s one that often fuels anxiety and keeps us from taking action. It’s a type of cognitive distortion, which are thoughts that are not based in reality. And once we get caught in these traps, it can be difficult to break free.
How to break out of the thinking trap
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When I’m stuck in the thinking stage, it feels like I’m trapped in a never-ending cycle of worry and self-doubt. It’s like my brain won’t stop churning out thoughts, and even worse, most of them are negative.
How do I break out of this trap? Well, the first step is to separate thoughts from events. Once you’ve identified those thoughts, challenge them. Ask yourself whether they’re true, and whether they’re helpful or not.
Most of the time, our negative thoughts are based on irrational beliefs or thinking traps. Once you recognize these traps, you can start to say “stop” to worry-ridden thoughts.
Strategies for motivating yourself to take action
When it comes to getting motivated, a lot of people think that you need to feel a certain way to take action. And that’s a lie.
You can get moving by setting one specific, achievable goal and then breaking it down into smaller steps. Once you get started on those small steps, the momentum will carry you forward. And before you know it, you will be achieving your goals left and right.
Overcoming fear and taking risks
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The bottom line is that if you don’t take risks, you will never grow. And if you never grow, you will never get better. So if you’re stuck in a rut, the only way out is to take a risk.
Of course, it’s easier said than done. We’re wired to avoid pain and seek pleasure, so it makes sense that we would want to stay in our comfort zones. But comfort zones are just that—comfortable. They’re not exciting, and they don’t offer any growth potential.
If you want to achieve something great, you have to be willing to put yourself out there and take some risks. And yes, there will be times when you fail. But each time you pick yourself up and dust yourself off, you will be that much closer to success.
So stop living in fear and start acting with courage. The only way to reach your full potential is to go for it—even when it seems scary at first.
Making action a habit
The last step is to make taking action a habit.
And this is going to be different for everyone. But the goal is to get to a place where taking action is your default setting instead of inaction.
For some people, this might mean setting a weekly goal and making sure they take at least one action step towards that goal every day.
For others, it might mean identifying the areas of their life where they tend to get stuck in inaction and brainstorming possible solutions. And for others, it might mean coming up with a list of things they can do right now—in this very moment—to move closer to their goals.
The crucial thing is to find what works for you and then make taking action a habit. Because the more you do it, the easier it will become—and before you know it, you will be taking action without even having to think about it.
When it comes to making change, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. We spend so much time thinking about things that we don’t take action. We get lost in the planning and forget to enjoy the journey. But what if you don’t have to have it all figured out? That you can start small and work your way up? So, stop worrying and start doing. You will be surprised at how much you can accomplish when you stop waiting for the perfect moment and start taking action today.