Are you thinking things through or overthinking it?

One of my previous posts started people talking. YAY, this is what they are supposed to do!

The post highlighted the pitfall of overthinking something, which many of you identified with. Natalie Runge and I had a great conversation about the difference between overthinking and thinking things through.

I think this is a valid point and people should think about the difference and be able to identify what they are doing. I am a planner by nature, this is why progression plans, having detailed logistics, and agendas are pretty important in my world.

How do I know I'm overthinking:

1) No clear path forward

2) Lots of feelings get involved

3) Increased level of anxiety.

How do I know I'm thinking things through:

1) I tend to have a plan develop

2) More 'if then' statements that 'what if' statements

3) I at least have the first one to three steps identified

4) I'm okay with steps 4 and above being contingent on steps 1-3

A lot of the overthinking vs thinking things through difference also depends on if I have the problem/concept/training session appropriately defined. One of the most famous quotes I remember really hitting home while I was in college studying community and regional planning was that, "if you don't know where you are going, any plan will do".

So my challenge to you, is if you "think" you are overthinking do the following:

1) What problem/training/concept are you trying to solve....specifically.

2) Can you split it out into smaller slices?

3) Do you have a clear starting point?

Thinking things through should prepare you to take that first step.

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I am starting to book into 2026 so if you want to get on the schedule, let me know. The K9Sensus Trainers Academy is still accepting enrollments and we will begin reviewing those soon!