Why Overthinking Is Killing Your Productivity (And What to Do Instead)
- Rebekah King
- Feb 1
- 3 min read
Do you ever find yourself spending hours thinking about something… only to feel like you haven’t achieved anything?
Overthinking can make you feel like you’ve been working hard, but if you’re not getting traction, there’s a reason for it.
Let’s talk about why overthinking feels productive (but isn’t), how it’s affecting your brain, and what to do instead.
Why Overthinking Feels Productive - But Isn’t
We often confuse thinking about the work with actually doing the work.
You might replay a conversation over and over. Plan what you’re going to say next. Second guess your next move. Tweak things. Double-check if you’ve used the right tone. And because your brain’s busy, it feels like effort, so you assume you’re making progress.
But this kind of mental looping burns energy without creating outcomes.
You’re spending hours in motion, “doing”… but you’re not gaining traction. It’s kind of like pedalling a bike with the chain off. You’re spinning, but you’re not going anywhere.
And because thinking is tiring, your brain feels worn out — so you assume you’ve done something useful. But what you’ve actually done is wear yourself out on something that didn’t move things forward.
What’s Happening in the Brain
From a neuroscience perspective, overthinking happens in the prefrontal cortex - the part of the brain responsible for decision-making and analysis. It doesn’t always know when to stop.
Especially under pressure, the brain tries to logic its way out of uncertainty. But when you’re under chronic stress or trying to do everything perfectly, it kicks into overdrive, and suddenly, every decision feels high-stakes.
An email. A task you’ve been putting off. A reply to a colleague.
None of it is life or death, but your brain treats it like it is. It won’t let go of the problem until it finds the “perfect” answer. Except… perfection doesn’t exist. So the thinking continues.
Why High Performers Get Stuck Here
This shows up a lot in high performers - people who are used to getting things right, or who pride themselves on being thoughtful and thorough.
And there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, we need more of you in this world!
But when your brain is always scanning for the best possible response, you can end up in analysis paralysis.
The fear of doing it wrong becomes stronger than the desire to get it done.
So you hesitate. Delay. Refine. Second-guess. Until a 15-minute task takes your whole afternoon, and your mental energy with it.
What to Do Instead
The point here isn’t to “just stop overthinking.” That’s not realistic.
But what you can do is catch yourself in the loop — and shift the question your brain is trying to answer.
Instead of:
“What if I say the wrong thing?”
“What’s the best way to do this?”
“What if I miss something?”
Try this instead:
“What would this look like if it were easy?”
This question takes the pressure off. It gives your brain a new way forward. It short-circuits the perfection loop and helps you build momentum — instead of chasing certainty.
Because 20 minutes of action is more productive than 20 minutes of thinking.
If you’re someone who tends to process, rethink, and overanalyse… try redirecting your time into doing. Even one small step can reset the cycle.
Want Help Switching Off That Mental Noise?
If your mind feels constantly full - like there’s no off switch - I’ve got something for you.
It’s called Reset + Recharge.
This is a short, practical, brain-based online course that helps high performers like you:
Quiet your mind
Understand your stress response
Reset your focus
When I say “course,” I mean short. You can complete it in about an hour, or one small module at a time.
It’s usually $77, but you can get it completely free when you enter the following Coupon Code: R+RFREE