Your Brain Is Your Biggest Bully (Here's How to Fight Back)

You know that voice in your head? The one that replays every conversation, dissects every decision, and turns a simple "Hey" text into a 47-minute analysis session?

That's not self-awareness. That's self-bullying.

The Truth About Your Thinking Problem

Here's what nobody tells you about overthinking: it's not a thinking problem, it's a trust problem. You don't trust yourself to handle whatever comes next, so your brain goes into overdrive trying to control every possible outcome.

Research from Harvard shows that people who overthink are actually more likely to make poor decisions. Why? Because when you're stuck analysing, you're not acting. And life rewards action, not analysis paralysis.

Your brain thinks it's protecting you, but it's actually sabotaging you.

The Real Cost of Mental Bullying

Let's get real about what overthinking actually costs you:

• Opportunities you don't take because you're still "thinking about it"

• Relationships you damage by reading into every text, pause, or facial expression

• Sleep you lose running mental marathons at 2 AM

• Confidence you drain by questioning every single choice

When you overthink, you're essentially paying a bully (your brain) to make your life harder. That's not having your shit together, that's the opposite.

How to Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy

1. Call Out the Bully

Next time your brain starts the endless loop, literally say: "This is bullying, not helping."

Try this right now: Think of something you've been overthinking. Notice how your brain immediately wants to dive back into analysis. Say "Stop. This is bullying." Out loud.

2. Set Thinking Time Limits

Give yourself exactly 10 minutes to think about a decision. Set a timer. When it goes off, you decide with whatever information you have.

The goal isn't perfect decisions, it's timely decisions. You can course-correct later.

3. Focus on the Next Right Step

Your brain wants to solve the entire problem. Instead, ask: "What's the smallest next step I can take?"

Not "How do I get my life together?" but "What's one thing I can do in the next hour?"

4. Trust Your Gut (It's Smarter Than You Think)

Research shows your subconscious processes information 200,000 times faster than your conscious mind. That "gut feeling"? It's your brain's way of saying "I've already figured this out."

Stop second-guessing what you already know.

Why This Matters for Getting Your Shit Together

Here's the thing: successful people aren't successful because they think more, they're successful because they act more. They make decisions quickly, adjust as they go, and trust themselves to handle whatever comes up.

Overthinking keeps you stuck in your head when life is happening around you. You can't think your way to a better life, you have to live your way there.

Your Challenge This Week

Pick one thing you've been overthinking for more than a week. Set a 10-minute timer, make a decision, and take the first action step today.

Then notice how it feels to be moving forward instead of spinning in circles.

Reply with "DONE" when you've completed this challenge. I'll feature the best responses (anonymously) in next week's newsletter.

Next week: "Why your comfort zone is actually your danger zone"

Get Your Shit Together

P.S. Forward this to someone who needs to stop overthinking and start overliving. They'll thank you later.