Stop Overcomplicating Things

Trust Your Gut

Have you ever found yourself overthinking a decision to the point where you’re tangled up in logic, pros and cons lists, and an endless loop of "what ifs"? Sometimes, in our quest to get things "right," we overcomplicate what should be simple.

I see this all the time—particularly in workplaces where analysis paralysis is rife. There’s a belief that the more we intellectualise a decision, the safer it becomes. If we can just think through every possible scenario, then we won’t make a mistake, right?

But what if our gut instinct already knows the answer?

Photo by Lysander Yuen on Unsplash

The Trap of Overthinking

Overcomplication often happens when we don’t trust ourselves. We second-guess, we delay, we seek more information, and we turn something straightforward into a labyrinth of uncertainty. While reflection and research have their place, there’s a tipping point where thinking stops being useful and starts being a way to avoid taking action.

For example, consider a time you had to make a relatively small decision—perhaps choosing between two projects, deciding whether to send an email, or picking a new habit to start. Did you find yourself lost in analysis? Did you read countless articles, ask for opinions, or delay action because you weren’t 100% sure? If so, you were likely overcomplicating it.

Why Do We Overcomplicate?

There are a few reasons we fall into this trap:

1. Fear of Failure – We worry about making the wrong choice, so we convince ourselves that thinking longer and harder will guarantee success.

2. Desire for Control – If we can map out every possible outcome, we believe we can avoid uncertainty. But in reality, life is unpredictable.

3. Perfectionism – We tell ourselves we must make the perfect choice, which often leads to inaction.

4. External Validation – Sometimes, we don’t trust our own judgment, so we endlessly seek reassurance from others.

The Power of Intuition

The best decisions often come from a mix of knowledge and intuition. Your gut feeling isn’t random—it’s based on your lived experience, your values, and all the patterns you’ve subconsciously picked up over time. When something feels "off," there’s usually a reason. When something feels "right," your body often knows before your brain catches up.

Neuroscience supports this too. Studies show that our subconscious processes information faster than our conscious mind. This means your "gut feeling" is often your brain working behind the scenes, picking up cues that your logical mind hasn’t fully processed yet.

Intuition is not about being reckless or ignoring evidence. It’s about recognising that sometimes, your first instinct is correct because it’s drawing on deep, accumulated wisdom.

The Cost of Overthinking

If we spend too much time in our heads, we miss out on action. Overthinking drains mental energy, increases stress, and can lead to decision fatigue—where even small choices feel overwhelming.

Have you ever spent hours agonising over something, only to finally make a decision and feel an immediate sense of relief? That’s a sign that your brain was craving closure, not more analysis. Overcomplication keeps us stuck, while clarity moves us forward.

How to Simplify and Trust Yourself

1. Pause and Notice – Are you stuck in a loop of analysis? Take a breath. Ask yourself: Am I making this more complicated than it needs to be?

2. Check in with Your Gut – What’s your first instinct? Before logic kicks in, what does your body say? Excitement? Dread? Relief? Pay attention.

3. Decide and Move Forward – You don’t need absolute certainty to take the next step. Confidence grows through action, not just thinking about action.

4. Trust That You Can Course-Correct – No decision is final. If things don’t work out, you can adjust. But the longer you sit in indecision, the more stuck you’ll feel.

5. Set a Time Limit – If you tend to get lost in overanalysis, give yourself a deadline. “I’ll decide by the end of the day” can prevent endless second-guessing.

6. Use the ‘10-10-10’ Rule – Ask yourself: How will I feel about this decision in 10 minutes? 10 months? 10 years? This can help reframe minor decisions that feel disproportionately big.

7. Reduce Information Overload – More data isn’t always better. Limit how much research you do before making a decision.

Reflective Exercise: Trusting Your Instincts

If you struggle with overcomplicating things, take a moment to try this simple exercise:

1. Think of a recent decision—big or small—that you struggled with. Write it down.

2. Ask yourself: What was my very first instinct before I started overthinking it?

3. Did I trust that instinct, or did I let overanalysis take over?

4. If I had trusted my gut, what might have happened differently?

5. Moving forward, what’s one small way I can practice making decisions more simply?

When Overcomplication Holds You Back

Sometimes, our tendency to overcomplicate comes from past experiences. Maybe you’ve made a mistake before and felt the sting of regret. Maybe you’ve been told that only "foolproof" decisions are valid. But the truth is, no decision is entirely risk-free. Growth happens when we allow ourselves to choose, learn, and adapt.

If you're feeling stuck in overthinking mode, remind yourself: done is better than perfect. A decision made with clarity—even if imperfect—is often better than one delayed by doubt.

The Kindness of Simplicity

There’s kindness in allowing yourself to trust your own wisdom. Overcomplication breeds stress, whereas clarity creates ease. So today, if you’re overthinking something, take a step back. What would happen if you trusted yourself just a little bit more?

You might just find that the answer was there all along.