How to Stop Overthinking and Make Faster, Smarter Decisions
What if the key to better decisions was making them faster—not overthinking them?
Happy Monday and welcome to Mindset Minute—your daily science-backed stress fix.
Today, we’re tackling overthinking—the silent killer of clarity and momentum. If you’ve ever spent 20 minutes deciding what to eat or days debating a big life decision, you’re not alone.
But here’s the good news: there’s a simple way to cut through mental clutter and make better choices—without second-guessing yourself.
Perspective
Your brain is like a GPS. If you keep recalculating the route, you’ll never get anywhere. Pick a direction, press go, and adjust along the way.
Mindset Minute
How to Stop Overthinking and Make Faster, Smarter Decisions
The Real Problem
We’ve all been there—staring at a decision so long that it starts staring back.
Should you take the new job? Buy that car? Send the email? The more you analyze, the more uncertain you feel.
This is called "decision fatigue," and it’s a real cognitive drain. Every decision—big or small—burns mental energy. By the end of the day, your brain is exhausted, making you more likely to default to procrastination, impulsivity, or avoidance altogether.
Worse? Overthinking tricks you into believing that thinking more = better choices.
But studies show the opposite. People who make decisions quickly—using simple frameworks—tend to feel happier and more confident than those who agonize over every choice.
So how do you stop looping and start deciding?
Core Strategy: The 2-Minute Rule for Decision Making
The key isn’t removing overthinking—it’s short-circuiting it.
Enter the 2-Minute Rule:
If a decision will take longer than 2 minutes to make, set a timer.
When the timer ends, pick the best available option and move forward.
If it’s a big decision, predefine your criteria and limit yourself to three options.
This forces you to trust your instincts, commit, and avoid the infinite loop of “what ifs.”
The Decision Clarity Method
Before jumping into your next task, run it through these three filters:
Step 1: Eliminate the Unnecessary
You don’t need more time to make better decisions. You need faster clarity. Here’s how:
🔹 Step 1: Define “Good Enough”
Most decisions don’t need a perfect answer—just a workable one. Instead of obsessing over the “best” choice, ask: Would this be good enough for now? Done is better than perfect.
🔹 Step 2: Set a Mental Deadline
Indecision thrives in open-ended thinking. Instead, give yourself a hard stop: I’ll decide in the next 30 seconds and move forward. If you don’t like it, you can course-correct later.
🔹 Step 3: Act Before Doubt Creeps In
The moment you make a choice, take one small action immediately. Send the email. Make the call. Commit. Action builds confidence faster than thinking ever will.
Why It Works:
Overthinking triggers analysis paralysis—which studies show leads to worse decisions, not better ones. Your brain thrives on momentum, and quick, structured decision-making prevents mental spirals before they start.
Psychologists also found that decisive people report lower stress levels and higher satisfaction because they’re not burning energy on endless “what-ifs.” By limiting your choices and acting fast, you gain confidence, not confusion.
Audio Deep Dive:
If you want to take a deeper dive into this idea, we’ve got you covered with this AI-generated audio hosted by Alan and Rebecca:
Your challenge:
Next time you catch yourself overthinking, set a 30-second timer, decide, and act immediately. Watch how much clearer and calmer you feel.
To better decisions,
Warren
P.S.
Overthinking isn’t about needing more time—it’s about needing more trust in yourself. Start making quick, confident choices today.
P.P.S.
⚡ Thinking harder doesn’t equate to thinking smarter. Get my "5 Days to Rebuild Your Focus" and discover how to trust your instincts and act with confidence. Grab it now! 👇
Citations & References:
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow.
Iyengar, S., & Lepper, M. (2000). When Choice is Demotivating: The Paradox of Too Many Options.
Baumeister, R. (2018). Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength.