Overthinking—The Most Expensive Hobby in Business

Overthinking feels productive, doesn’t it? You pace around, replaying scenarios like a broken record.

You scroll through ideas, search for answers, weigh every decision from a hundred angles, and think—if I just think a little harder, I’ll figure this out.

But you won’t.

Because overthinking is the most expensive hobby in business, and it doesn’t pay. It costs you time, energy, progress, and—worst of all—your confidence. It’s like running on a treadmill. You’re sweating, you’re tired, you’re busy as hell… but you’re still in the same place. Time spent overthinking is time wasted. Every moment spent hesitating is a moment you’re not learning, building, or growing. The perfect moment isn’t coming, and the only way forward is action.

Sadly, the more you overthink, the less you trust yourself. Doubt creeps in. Maybe I’m not good enough. Maybe I don’t have what it takes. Maybe I need more time, more research, more… something. And just like that, you’re stuck—paralyzed by the belief that you don’t know enough to move forward. But clarity doesn’t come from more thinking. It comes from moving. Taking one small, imperfect step, even when you don’t feel ready. Because the truth is, most decisions aren’t life or death. They’re just decisions. You make one, you learn, and you adjust. That’s how progress works.

Perfectionism is just fear whispering “not yet” in your ear, making you feel smart while keeping you stuck. You tell yourself you’re being thorough, but deep down, you’re just afraid of making a mistake. The only way to know if something works is to do it. You don’t need another round of research. You don’t need another week to “think on it.” You need to take the next step—the smaller the better.

Most business problems aren’t thinking problems, they’re doing problems. You don’t need more analysis, you need a deadline. Give yourself 15 minutes to decide. Flip a coin if you have to. Action creates clarity. Sitting there spinning scenarios in your head does not. The more you move, the clearer things get. Overthinking loves complexity, but business rewards simplicity. Make the decision. Test the idea. See what happens. And if it doesn’t work, adjust. Business isn’t chess. It’s trial and refinement.

Just think about how much more alive would your business feel if you replaced overthinking with action. How much would you accomplish if you trusted yourself enough to take one step, right now, instead of spinning in circles.

So the next time you catch yourself stuck in analysis, stop. Ask yourself: What’s one small thing I can do right now? Not tomorrow, not later. Right now. Do it.

The only way forward is... forward.