The Pitfalls of Overthinking and Over-Intellectualizing

Anchoring Your Emotional Cadence Develops Your Leadership

This is Part 4 of a 7-part series on Incomplete Cycles and its effects on our business, lives, and decision-making.

Did you miss the previous posts? Here you go!

Part 1 Leading Through Complexity: Harnessing the Power of Incomplete Cycles

Part 2 Limitations of Hierarchical Thinking

Part 3 The Power of Heart + Gut Intelligence

Incomplete Cycles Increases Burnout by 53%

While heart and gut intelligence offer valuable insights for decision-making, the pendulum can swing too far in the opposite direction when we become trapped in overthinking and over-intellectualizing.

In our efforts to make the 'perfect' choice, we may create a cycle of self-doubt and anxiety that prevents us from taking action.

Understanding the pitfalls of overthinking and over-intellectualizing, as well as their connection to stored trauma, can help us break free from these patterns and develop a healthier approach to decision-making. 

The Pitfalls of Overthinking and Over-Intellectualizing

Define overthinking and over-intellectualizing: Overthinking refers to a pattern of excessive rumination, where individuals engage in repetitive thoughts about negative experiences, leading to emotional distress (Ehring et al., 2011). Over-intellectualizing involves relying too heavily on abstract reasoning and analytical thinking, often ignoring emotional or intuitive aspects of decision-making (Salgado, 2018).

Explain how they contribute to incomplete cycles and hinder decision-making: Overthinking can lead to decision paralysis and emotional exhaustion, impeding our ability to make choices and take action (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2000). Over-intellectualizing can create barriers to effective decision-making by limiting our perspective and ignoring valuable emotional and intuitive insights (Salgado, 2018). These patterns can contribute to incomplete cycles as we struggle to find resolution or closure.

Discuss the connection between overthinking, over-intellectualizing, and stored trauma: Unresolved trauma can manifest as anxiety, fear, and self-doubt, which may drive individuals to engage in overthinking as a maladaptive coping mechanism (Olatunji et al., 2013). Similarly, over-intellectualizing can serve as a defense mechanism to avoid confronting painful emotions associated with past traumas (Levine, 1997). Addressing these underlying emotional wounds can help break the cycle of overthinking and over-intellectualizing.

(Founding Members receive ALL the Action Guides I create in 2024 FREE. These are designed to help you implement what you learn in each series here in Verval Vortexes. Think mini-book of implementation.)

“Thinking too much leads to paralysis by analysis. It’s important to think things through, but many use thinking as a means of avoiding action.” Robert Heerjavec

If you recognize the presence of overthinking and over-intellectualizing in your life, know that it's okay to seek help as you navigate these challenges. Building a more compassionate relationship with these tendencies and integrating their lessons can be a difficult process, but you don't have to do it alone.

To develop a healthier approach to decision-making, consider the following steps:

1. Acknowledge and listen - Begin by genuinely listening to the underlying emotions and needs that drive overthinking and over-intellectualizing. By acknowledging their presence, you can start to build a more understanding relationship with yourself and your experiences.

2. Seek support - Don't hesitate to reach out to a therapist, coach, or support group if you need guidance and encouragement along the way. These professionals and communities can provide valuable tools and insights as you develop self-awareness and work to integrate the lessons from overthinking and over-intellectualizing.

3. Cultivate self-awareness - Engage in practices like mindfulness, journaling, or therapy to deepen your understanding of the roots and triggers of these patterns. This self-awareness will help you identify the lessons these tendencies are trying to teach you.

4. Integrate and grow - As you become more attuned to the wisdom within these patterns, work on integrating their insights into your decision-making process. By doing so, you can learn to make more balanced, holistic choices that honor both your intellect and your emotional and intuitive intelligence.

Remember, seeking help and embracing the lessons within overthinking and over-intellectualizing can lead to more profound self-awareness, empathy, and personal growth. By engaging with these patterns in a compassionate and curious manner, you can transform your relationship with decision-making and your emotional well-being.

Leading Through Complexity: Harnessing the Power of Incomplete Cycles was originally published in one LONG post with a different title. (wanna know more about why I made changes, DM me and I’ll share my insights.) This is 4 of a series of 7 to give you the space to explore and examine your patterns so that you genuinely absorb, process + integrate this body of work to anchor your emotional cadence as a leader.

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A start with a couple of questions:

When exploring incomplete cycles, have you asked yourself, where might incomplete cycles be causing me unnecessary hurdles right now?

When I ask myself questions that seem like starting a hard conversation - like now, do I ignore it or make excuses that I will do it later?

What might it feel like to not have incomplete cycles clogging up your progress in either or both life + your business?

Want help navigating your incomplete cycles?

You can start with getting the Action Guide for this series on harnessing the power of incomplete cycles action guide. It will be available for individual sale or you can get it FREE when you become a Founding Subscriber/member.

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What Now?

Now that you are on the journey of understanding the importance of completing cycles - especially with problem-solving and decision-making, lets implement this together. I know how to help you put these insights into action. Implementing them intentionally improves your outcomes.

With my guidance, we'll often in a single session close the loop on unresolved challenges, including identifying unprocessed emotions that may be holding you back.

Remember, tackling these emotional hurdles doesn't always require a therapist—often, my clients and I can navigate and create a process in a single session. Reach out today, and let's complete the cycle of growth together. To begin, consider these three options:

1. Harness my Wisdom (a single session with optional 30-day support)

2. VIP Days (for those who benefit from concentrated downloads)

3. Advise/Coach on specific you want to improve - Communication - Power - Leadership: Programs (topic + behavior-specific containers that can be either short or long-term - for example, 12 weeks to 13 months)

Which path resonates most deeply with you? Give yourself permission to act today and reach out to me Michele Price to explore which type will serve you best right now so you can start this empowering journey.

Into the Vortex (the sister publication to Verbal Vortexes my podcast) is free right now and if you want to buy me a cup of coffee to show me support - you are appreciated.

As always, you can show your support by checking out my free publication, Into the Vortex. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to working with you!

Michele