Don’t Overthink It!
We spend so much time overthinking things. Should we? Shouldn’t we? What will they think? What if it doesn’t go well? And on and on. We have so many missed opportunities for personal growth when we get stuck in indecision. We spend so much of our time in our heads, and we forget to tap into our resident advisors, our heart and our gut. Our head ruminates, our heart releases and our gut teaches. Our head doesn’t have to run the show. It’s OK to let go of “Overthink” and take a trust fall into your heart.
I want to offer you a shift in the way we think. I invite you to get out of your head and step resolutely into your heart for a little experiment. I want you to consider sharing your kind thoughts in writing when you have them and see how that feels. Before you panic and shut down, consider that when we listen to our heart and capture our kind thoughts in writing we are releasing appreciation into the universe and there is an energy shift towards positivity that lingers. This crazy upside down world we’re living in needs every bit of positivity it can muster to try and right ourselves. When you keep appreciations to yourself, it’s a missed opportunity for connection. When we feel connected, we feel happier, calmer, more collaborative and part of something greater than ourselves. This simple yet overlooked practice is freeing and expansive and I think you’ll like who you are when you try this.
So, if this idea sets your overthinking head spinning with reasons why this is not going to happen, Let me address your objections:
1. I don’t have time - Really? Did you have time to scroll through your social media sites and watch sports center before work? Time is a choice. You definitely have 5 minutes, if you choose to make time. Keep it short and simple. One or two sentences of appreciation is all you need to make someone’s day.
2. It feels uncomfortable – Wouldn’t you like to open your mailbox and find an unexpected letter of appreciation? Don’t let your discomfort deprive someone of the gift of your kind thoughts. We all want to know we matter and that we’re seen. Be brave and willing to be a little uncomfortable. As soon as you try it a few times, the discomfort goes away.
3. My penmanship is terrible – You’re not being graded on your handwriting. You’re telling someone what you appreciate about them and that is the special sauce that makes your note memorable, not your handwriting. Please don’t let that be a reason not to share. Your handwriting is unmistakably yours and that is part of the beauty. A handwritten note becomes a keepsake and sets it apart from email and text which can get lost in the Cloud.
4. They’ll think I have an ulterior motive – If you’re writing from the heart and being your authentic self then it will be received with the grace with which it was written. Authentic kindness is a judgement free zone.
Please don’t overthink this. You already had the kind thought so now just write it down. It really is that simple! Don’t give your head time to find reasons not to incorporate this intentional kindness practice into your life. If you have a kind thought about someone grab on to that and give it life. Release it from your heart and let it dance in the light of acknowledgement that it deserves. Grab whatever paper is handy - a post- it- note, monogrammed stationery, company letterhead, a napkin. The paper is meaningless, the message is everything. With every kind thought shared, maybe together we can set the world right again. Go ahead and make someone’s day. And your day too while you’re at it!
