Overthinking Can Be Overkill

How many times have you made a decision and then later wished you'd followed the intuitive voice in your head or that strong feeling in your gut that told you to do something else? We typically are programmed to ignore what we sense is right in favor of the more logical or justifiable alternative. Intuition, especially in women, has a tendency to be brushed off as being illogical or subjective. Yet, most great thinkers, scientists and writers from the past will give credit to dreams, daydreams and intuition for their success.

One of my majors in college was Economics. We learned about a principle called the Law of Diminishing Returns. In business, you can get to a point of investing money in your business where more dollars spent do not equate to higher monetary returns. For many years I have applied this principle to human thinking. By that I mean, we live in a society where we conclude that the more you think about a problem, the more you plan, the more you ANALYZE, the greater success you will have.

Over the years, I have met many clients immobilized by their thoughts because they have analyzed a problem too much or agonized, incessantly, over a decision. We can take an issue and think about it to the point where our mind becomes crowded and more unclear as to the solution or the right decision to make.

At times, I believe there is great value to be found in letting go and "sitting" in the UNKNOWN. Making a pros and cons list doesn't always give us the answers. Instead, using meditation, guided imagery, and hypnosis to relax the analytical mind and tap into our intuition can bring stress relief and answers to the quesions we seek. Edgar Alan Poe referred to the value of right brain wisdom, "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.—"