Hold That Thought
Helping overwhelmed creatives and small business owners turn overthinking into expert thinking…and action! 3 useful things every Thursday to gain clarity, get more done, and feel great about it.
From high-tech to high-touch
“To awaken the senses is, ultimately, to reconnect with the soul of the world.” — Marie Dollé in Reclaiming our Senses Glowing mushrooms on bark with fireflies in forest, by Shaiith from Getty Images Last week I was thinking about embodied cognition — the relationship between thinking and the body. This week I'm taking that even further afield and exploring thinking and the wider environment. Here are three things on that theme to turn overthinking into expert thinking: “By embracing digital...
This is not working / This is perfection
Overthinking hips don't lie X-ray of a human hip joint by rcphotostock. Outrun filter added by me in Canva Pro. This week I've been thinking about overthinking and its impact on us. Here are three things on that theme to turn overthinking into expert thinking: Three days after the 2024 US election and four days before I was meant deliver a workshop in Manchester, I stepped out my front door and partially dislocated my hip “She suggests focusing on the contact between your feet with the floor,...
You can't fully sink in quicksand
Retreat is not defeat You can't drown in quicksand. Photo by Kim, at Crosby beach. This week I've been thinking about how to keep my heavy head held high, dealing with the distractions of the wider world, and focusing on doing the work. Here's three things that might help you turn overthinking into expert thinking, too: “The next time you catch your internal self-doubt as a response to external noise, remember the story of the little koala” — Michael Thompson “Silence is not only golden. It...
Fall back
…to basics. Halloween background by anilakkus from Getty Images Signature. This week I've been thinking about how to do the basic stuff. Specifically, helpful things we might have missed. Here are three things on that theme to turn overthinking into expert thinking: How to write a task – a short one by me How to be concise – a longer one by Wes Kao How to manage your time – a great list of tips by Lenny Rachitsky Extra thoughts… This week's links are super practical. Except I suppose for this...
Goals are boring and overrated
Do quests instead! Winning at the early game. Photo by author. This week I've been thinking about ditching my goals. Here are three things on that theme to help turn overthinking into expert thinking: “You expect a quest to take you into a new and unfamiliar landscape. You expect there to be puzzles, surprises, perils, and curious encounters. A bridge you counted on will be out. You’ll meet an interesting stranger on the path. You’ll hear wolves howling at night. This is all part of the fun....
Glimmers and reflections
Following the little bits of light A glimmer in the dark. Photo by Rostyslav Savchyn on Unsplash This week I've been thinking about glimmers and reflections. Here are three things on that theme to turn overthinking into expert thinking: What is your top takeaway from this? It's the question I always ask at the end of sessions. I started asking myself this question and compiled all the insights. From why people overthink, how they get unstuck, not knowing the end of the story, and much more —...
The zone is a trap
What are you drawn to? Moths drawn to the light. Photo by tedgun from Getty Images. This week I've been thinking about being in the zone. Here are three things on that theme to help turn overthinking into expert thinking: “It’s also where your family, friends, and organization want you to stay. You’re reliable there, and you provide a steady supply of all the things that family, friends, and organizations thrive on. The problem is that a deep, sacred part of you will wither and die if you...
Tomatoes in the North
My dream of salsa, drastically reduced The last sad tomato in the North. Photo taken by me, at a posh food shop. This week I've been thinking about the ways people push for outcomes, especially when that goes beyond what's possible, reasonable, or easy. Here are three things on that theme to help turn overthinking into expert thinking: “Like squeezing a dry lemon, there is only bitter disappointment when we push for outcomes that can never be.” A very short story from my experience of...
Post face
“To retreat, one must first be engaged.” – Yancey Strickler, on showing our faces, but also our backs Photo by pineapple L on Unsplash This week I've been thinking about how to balance the desire to create quietly while sharing publicly. Here are three things on that theme to help turn overthinking into expert thinking: “Social media experts tell us to put our faces out there like clockwork to support our creative practices. The Performance of The Artist has become the primary work of the...
Set up camp
How do I push through the hard part? Dark Landscape by Antagain from Getty Images Signature. This week I've been thinking about persevering, especially when it's not great. Here are three things on that theme to help turn overthinking into expert thinking: “The people who race through the valley become the type of people who tell children they can’t draw.” – Designer Mike Monteiro on how to enjoy sucking at things “There’s a big gap between your skill and your vision.” — Good advice for...
Helping overwhelmed creatives and small business owners turn overthinking into expert thinking…and action! 3 useful things every Thursday to gain clarity, get more done, and feel great about it.