How to break free from overthinking and take action in your career

Published on 5 November 2024

It’s Monday morning, and you feel a sense of emptiness from the moment you wake up. There's this persistent thought:

Am I meant for something more?
Could my career be more fulfilling?

Yet, the idea of change seems overwhelming, almost exhausting.

Where do I start? What do I even want? you wonder, as thoughts of uncertainty pile up. Feeling stuck, you fall back on what you know, even though it brings little satisfaction.

Here’s something encouraging: when considering big changes—whether it's switching careers or diving into a new project—our minds tend to focus on risks and potential obstacles. You might find yourself overthinking, hoping that if you anticipate every scenario, you can avoid failure or rejection. But that overthinking often becomes a barrier to action.

This resistance is more than just hesitancy; it’s about how we see ourselves and what we believe we can handle. Overthinking becomes a way to avoid taking risks while convincing ourselves that we’re preparing.

Rather than moving forward, we get stuck feeling out of control. We’re pushed to confront the limits of what we know and what we can control. For many—especially those used to feeling competent and “in charge”—this is deeply uncomfortable.

Imagine you want more in life and your career, but each time you think about making a change, doubts arise: What if I fail? What if I’m not as skilled as I thought? The need to “get it right” builds, making it easier to stay where you are, feeling safe yet frustrated.

Some even reach out to someone like me, a coach, for support, but then might hesitate to take real action—citing reasons like being too busy or uncertain about the investment.

If you want to break free from this cycle of overthinking, start small. Thinking of a career change? Reach out to just one person in that field for a conversation. It’s a simple step that builds familiarity and momentum.

Meanwhile, release the idea that certainty is possible. Growth comes from action, not endless planning. Small actions help you build experiences and insights, reinforcing that you don’t need every answer upfront to begin moving forward.

With each step you take, you’re building a new self-image: someone who acts, even amid uncertainty. Over time, the unknown feels less daunting, and you transition from feeling overwhelmed to feeling open to new possibilities.

These small actions don’t just help you move forward; they reshape your relationship with the unknown. Instead of “preparing” indefinitely, you become someone who learns, adapts, and grows through action. Overthinking won’t bring certainty, but small steps will lead to progress—and that makes all the difference.

If you’re ready to move forward but feel like you need guidance, I’m here to help. Use the form below to get in touch.

Love,
Monica

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