Let’s cut to the chase: overthinking is the biggest waste of time a leader can indulge in. I used to spend sleepless nights dissecting every decision and obsessing over the details of executing a plan—and nine times out of ten, none of that overthinking ever solved a single problem. As I often say, great leadership is about synthesizing a vision, building a strategy, connecting the dots, and inspiring your team.
If you’re stuck in the loop of overthinking, I get it. Overthinking feels productive—it tricks you into thinking you’re making progress. But spoiler alert: you’re not. It’s like running on a treadmill and expecting to reach a new destination. Today, I’ll share exactly what worked for me to break free, reclaim my focus, and redirect my energy toward actual professional growth. Let’s dive in.
1. Stop Linking Your Identity to Your Career
I have met and worked with so many mid-level and senior executives who have absolutely zero interests or hobbies outside their job. Their career is their single biggest identifier. Until my late thirties, I was no different; my entire identity was tied to my job and I was as dull as a dishwasher. Every project, every win, every failure—it all felt like a personal reflection of my worth. And let me tell you, that’s a surefire way to end up on the overthinking hamster wheel.
Here’s what I realized: your career is a part of your life, not your whole life. The moment I started investing in things outside of work, everything changed. I took up cycling, hiking, mountaineering, and working out—not because I was training for the Olympics, but because these hobbies gave me clarity and perspective. Blogging became another outlet for my thoughts, a way to get out of my own head without overanalysing every detail.
And let’s not forget the humour in this. Mountaineering taught me one thing: sometimes, the biggest obstacle isn’t the mountain—it’s you. The mental chatter that says you can’t do it, the fear of failure—it’s all the same noise that fuels overthinking. Once you learn to shut it up on a mountain, you can shut it up in the boardroom too.
“The greatest superpower is the ability to change yourself.“– Naval Ravikant
2. Grasp That Overthinking is a Total Waste of Time and Energy
Here’s a harsh truth: overthinking is completely useless. It doesn’t solve problems. It doesn’t make you smarter. It’s not a requirement for professional growth. All it does is rob you of your most valuable resources: time and energy. And as leaders, those are the two things we can’t afford to waste.
I used to lie awake at night obsessing over details that were insignificant in the bigger picture; I would stress about whether a decision I made would pay off… It was exhausting. And worse, it distracted me from focusing on things that actually mattered for my professional growth.
Eventually, I got real with myself: if something is worth worrying about, it’s worth taking action on. And if it’s not worth taking action on, then it’s not worth worrying about. Simple, right? It took some practice, but this mindset shift was a game-changer. I started setting time limits for decisions, letting go of things I couldn’t control, and channelling my energy into what I could.
3. Hire (and Surround Yourself with) Good People
Here’s the brutal truth about leadership: you can’t do it all. And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you’ll stop overthinking. When I became the CEO of my own company, I tried to be everywhere, do everything, and control every detail. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work. All it did was leave me mentally fried and second-guessing every decision.
The turning point came when I built a team of rockstars—people who were competent, loyal, and (this is important) fun to work with. Suddenly, I didn’t have to micromanage or worry about things falling apart if I wasn’t there. Delegation isn’t just a management strategy; it’s a survival tactic. When you trust your team, you free up your brain to focus on strategy, vision, and yes, your own professional growth. Make sure you spend almost all your time focussing on the Why – the strategic stuff – and leave the Who, What, How, Where – the Operational stuff – for your competent team to worry about.
I used to think hiring people meant “giving up control.” Turns out, it’s the opposite. Hiring good people is control—it’s the kind of control that lets you sleep at night knowing the ship won’t sink without you.
4. How I Keep Overthinking at Bay
If you’re prone to overthinking (and let’s face it, most people are), here are a few additional tricks that worked for me:
- Set Decision-Making Boundaries: Not every decision deserves endless thought. Give yourself a deadline, make the call, and move on. Indecision is the fuel that keeps overthinking alive—and after a certain point, the law of diminishing returns kicks in, where more effort yields less clarity.
- Ask the Right Questions: When I feel myself spiralling, I stop and ask, “What’s the worst that can happen?” Nine times out of ten, the answer isn’t as bad as I imagined.
- Limit Input Overload: Too much information is a breeding ground for overthinking. Filter what’s essential and ignore the noise. Focus on the Why and the big picture.
- Practice Mindfulness: Look, I’m not going to tell you to sit cross-legged and meditate for hours. But even a five-minute pause to breathe, journal, or walk can help quiet the mental chaos.
5. Overthinking vs. Professional Growth
Here’s the reality: overthinking and professional growth don’t mix. When you’re caught in the trap of second-guessing everything, you’re not learning, growing, or leading—you’re stuck. Leadership isn’t about being perfect or having all the answers. It’s about clarity, action, and trusting yourself and your team. Breaking free from overthinking isn’t just good for your career—it’s good for your life. When you stop wasting energy on things that don’t matter, you make space for what does. And let me tell you, that’s where the magic happens.
Conclusion
Overthinking doesn’t have to be a permanent part of your leadership journey. By separating your identity from your career, letting go of unnecessary worries, and surrounding yourself with the right people, you can lead with more confidence and less mental clutter. Remember, professional growth is about moving forward, not spinning your wheels in the mud of indecision. So, stop overthinking, start trusting, and watch how your leadership—and your life—transforms.
