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Goals - Setting & Achieving > I think (too much)… Therefore, I am (stuck)
By Janice Fenton
November 4, 2010

We all know the famous philosophical proposition "I think, therefore I am".  Well lately I've come up with my own version of this.  "I think (too much), therefore I am (stuck)".


Sometimes we know we want things to be different and in order to make that happen decisions need to be made.  And when it comes to decisions, people approach them differently.  Some people are thinkers.  These people require facts and data before they can make a decision.  Thinkers reason through the evidence.


Other people are feelers.  Feelers ask themselves how a particular choice feels.  Does it feel good or doesn't it?  Feelers can have all the facts in the world, but in the end, they'll go with their gut feel.


And other people are knowers.  Knowers aren't particularly concerned about the facts or their feelings.  They make very quick decisions - that's right, that's not.  They just know the answer.
Now if you happen to be a thinker, then usually critical analysis is your friend and strength. 

Sometimes though, you can overuse that strength and it no longer serves you.  Have you ever had the experience where you're not sure what path to take, so you think?   And then you think and think and think some more.    And just when you think you've decided... yup, you guessed it... you settle in for another round of thinking.  It makes sense to you because you want to make sure that you make the right choice.  And there are many factors to consider.   It's a complicated decision, not a simple case of right or wrong.  But before you know it a lot of time has passed and nothing has changed, except your level of frustration. 

So, what can you do?  Stop thinking. Start acting.  Firstly, accept that you're not going to think your way out of it and give yourself permission to stop all of the thinking.  Secondly, ask yourself what's one small action you can take to move forward and take it.  It doesn't have to be a big action.  It doesn't have to be the perfect action.  It just has to be.

 

Janice Fenton is a personal coach who helps working mums work it out. With her support, clients identify what truly matters to them in their personal and professional lives, and they set and achieve meaningful goals.
Janice can be contacted at http://www.consideryourself.com.au.