Overthinking at Work

If you feel like you can never get enough done on the job, then you may want to consider if you’re overthinking at work. This sees you agonize over the details of something, delaying action. Sometimes, you can become caught in an endless loop of options and scenarios.

The problem is that overthinking can also be a good thing. When I worked as a TV news reporter, my ability to consider possibilities often saved the day.

For instance, at 3 p.m., I might be given a story that would require a live report at 5 p.m. I’d have to consider:

How I could tell the story if I wasn’t able to find anyone to interview on camera
What to do if there was no chance to record cover video
How to overcome logistical challenges, like an area where tall buildings or trees make it impossible to send video back to the station.

In my mind, I’d run all of these worst-case scenarios. When you’re on a tight deadline, it’s good to think about these things ahead of time.

Now, outside of the world of news, I find this mental preparation not as valuable. Sometimes it hurts my productivity, as I’m thinking too much when action is required.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer about how much overthinking is too much. I have found these tips help me define when the time for thinking needs to come to an end:

Information vs. Procrastination

Whether it’s choosing a vacation or buying a product, you can study your options for a long time. It can become a form of procrastination, which could cause you to miss an opportunity.

Understand that at a certain point, gathering a little more information doesn’t produce a significant benefit. You’re just wasting time.

Do You Prevent Progress?

Some find it useful to set a deadline for research and at the end of that time, a decision must be made. Otherwise, you may give too much time to one project, taking it away from another.

For instance, someone in sales should not spend 30 minutes trying to decide what to eat for lunch. That time could be better invested in reaching out to potential customers.

Does Overthinking at Work Promote Perfectionism

While it’s good to strive to get the job done right, achieving perfection may not be required. In fact, good enough, may take a lot less time and come with lower levels of stress.

In these instances, it’s valuable to ask if the extra time will make a measurable difference. Sometimes, you’re the only one who would notice.