Act Before You Can Talk Yourself Out of It.

Act Before You Can Talk Yourself Out of It.

Not everyone procrastinates because they’re lazy or afraid.

Most often, it’s because they think too long. They imagine every consequence, rehearse every objection, and keep refining the plan until the energy to act has disappeared.

I know this pattern well. An idea arrives, and for a brief moment, I know what I want to do.

Then questions arise about timing, rushing to judgment, how people will respond, and whether I need more certainty.

Overthinking In Disguise

None of these “questions” sound unreasonable. That’s what makes overthinking so convincing. It presents itself as responsible, prepared, or good judgment.

Sometimes it is. But other times, we’re not improving the decision. We’re slowly talking ourselves out of making it.

Here’s what I’ve learned: The longer the distance between insight and action, the more opportunity doubt has to be the more convincing argument. Eventually, the moment to act passes.

Responsible Action

Acting faster doesn’t mean acting carelessly. It means recognizing when more thought doesn't increase clarity and may even be increasing confusion. You decide to take the next reasonable step before your mind can turn any discomfort into a stop sign.

This is especially true when the next step is reversible. There’s often little reason to wait.

So go ahead and send the note, share the early version of an idea with someone you trust, or volunteer before you know exactly how you’ll follow through.

A lot of actions we drag our feet on aren’t the final decisions. They’re actually essential ways of gathering information or experience. Taking the next step doesn't commit us to the entire path, unless we decide it does.

When The Decision Is Hard To Undo

Some decisions are different. Like leaving a job, ending a relationship, or making a significant financial commitment. These may not be easily undone.

In these situations, doubt can help us slow down and pay closer attention. We don't act impulsively, but we also don't think indefinitely.

For an irreversible decision, there are many mini actions you can take first: gather more data, ask for advice, examine your assumptions, and this one, I believe, is especially important: Set a date by which you will decide. Otherwise, careful consideration becomes endless delay.

When caught in a cycle of overthinking, ask yourself: Do I genuinely need more information…or am I hoping more time will remove the uncertainty?

Some important decisions remain uncomfortably uncertain even after careful thought. At some point, we have to decide whether we understand the consequences well enough to move forward.

This week, I invite you to notice where you might be hesitating on a decision:

· If the next step is reversible, take it before you can talk yourself out of it.

· If it’s not, identify the specific action that will help you decide, and take that instead.

Acting faster doesn’t necessarily mean deciding today. Think carefully when the consequences are lasting. But don’t confuse careful thought with endless deliberation.

It can feel like a tightrope, I admit.

But there's real power in choosing your next move before delay, lost opportunity, or changing circumstances make the choice for you.

You can do it.

Jo-Aynne Von Born, Leadership/Executive Coach

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