8 Ways To Enter The Present Moment

Many spiritual and religious traditions talk about the human tendency to spend too much time outside the present moment. 

According to a Harvard University study, we spend almost fifty percent of the time we are awake, not thinking about what we are doing. 

So, what are we thinking about instead? Well, we either ruminate about things that happened in the past or we worry about things that yet have to come. 

The latter often goes hand in hand with fantasies about negative outcomes. 

This is not only time consuming; it also evokes emotions that might cause unnecessary pain. 

I think it’s clear why the Buddhists and Stoics tell us to live in the present moment. 

Now, the big question is: how? In this article, I will present you with 8 ways to enter the present moment. 

If you find yourself lost in mental chatter, there are ways to get out of this. 

These are often simple tricks that, however, take discipline to pull off. I'll start with the first one: 

(1) Breath meditation 

An easy way to find relief from overthinking is watching the breath and how the body and mind react to it. 

The Buddhists call this Ānāpānasati, which means mindfulness of breathing. 

This is not the same as breathing exercises, in which one purposefully controls the rhythm of the breath. 

Based on the Buddhist tradition, we can do breath meditation in several stages. 

The first stage is the contemplation of the body, thus, watching the breath and sensations of different body parts. 

The second stage is the contemplation of feelings, like anger, and how they linger in the mind. 

The third stage is focusing on thoughts and how they come and go. 

(2) Feeling the inner body 

Most of our bodily processes go completely autopilot. An effective escape from the immersion in all kinds of thinking patterns is focusing on what's going on inside. 

You can look at the tightness of the muscles, for example, or focus on the digestive system. 

When you do this you will find out that the inner body is a very lively place. 

Keeping your focus on the liveliness keeps you in the now and makes you calmer. 

It can be used as a standalone practice as well to trick the mind into the present moment immediately. 

Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle teaches this practice in his book The Power Of Now and I really recommend reading this book.

(3) Touching 

Touch is another way to get rid of the maelstrom of thought. There are different ways to do this. 

One of them goes simply by sitting on a chair and observe how the buttocks touch the seat. 

Another method is holding a small object in your hand like marble or, perhaps, a piece of food and focus on how this feels to your fingers. 

Or how about focusing on the simple act of washing your hands and brushing your teeth? 

We mostly aren't very mindful of these daily activities because the mind is somewhere else. But they are great opportunities to become present. 

(4) Reciting mantras 

A mantra is a sound, that could be sacred in nature and could also consist of a word or several words. 

The most basic mantra is ohmm… which we call the source of all mantras in Hinduism. 

But there are countless other examples of mantras. In Buddhism, it is the recitation of the name of the Buddha.  

In Islam, they also have a mantra which goes like this: La ilaha illallah La ilaha illallah. Mantras don't have to be religious, though. 

And there is no consensus whether a mantra should have meaning or not. 

But the repetitive nature of engaging in mantras - also called mantra meditation - gives the mind something to focus on that happens in the present moment. This quiets the mind. 

(5) Waiting for the next thought 

The first time I heard of this trick was by Eckhart Tolle, again from his book The Power Of Now. 

This practice is terribly simple, yet surprisingly effective. The only thing you have to do is to become conscious of your thoughts. 

Then, ask yourself: what will my next thought be? If you really focus on the anticipation of the next thought, something special will happen. 

Try it yourself and you will see what I mean.

(6) Awareness of silence 

If you listen very closely you'll discover that the world is never truly silent. 

There might be sounds of traffic in the distance, sounds of birds, or maybe the wind. 

Even if you spend time in an anechoic chamber you will not experience complete silence as long as you're breathing and your body is alive which, obviously, produces sound. 

What will happen however is that you become aware of the more sophisticated sounds of the environment. 

The mind becomes very curious about what's happening in the distance and will focus all its attention on discovering silence in subtlety. 

(7) Listening closely to words 

This practice works for social anxiety as well. In fact, dr. Jordan Peterson proposes this practice to overcome the fear of talking to people. 

By listening closely to what people have to say, you basically shift your attention from your thoughts to the person speaking. 

Having dealt with social anxiety myself, I can say the following. When I'm socially anxious or shy, I´m entangled in thoughts like: 

What do I have to say now. What can I say to impress this person or... ..why the hell did I have to say this. 

The nature of these questions is that they relate to the past and the future. 

Thus, when someone is speaking to me I rather focus on what I said earlier or what I am going to say, instead of truly listening. 

The secret is: when I fully focus on what the person is saying, my own words often come naturally and without hesitation. 

(8) Focusing on movement 

Every day we make a series of movements that are basically on auto-pilot. 

This could be cleaning, doing the dishes, walking from home to the bus station, sitting down, standing up or going to the bathroom. 

Because such movements are of frequent occurrence, we often don't pay any attention to them. 

Instead, we think, plot, ruminate, worry, et cetera. Now, instead of spending time in our minds, we can also focus on these ordinary movements. 

This seems kind of pointless, but it surely takes our focus away from excessive thinking and directs it to what's happening right now. 

So, that's it! I hope these methods help you to become more present. They sure help me and believe me, I've always been a chronic overthinker. Thank you for reading.

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Will Life Ever Be Normal Again?

It’s the million-dollar question in times of radical change. Will life ever go back to normal? Will the sunshine like it once did? Will these moments that seemed so ordinary, that we took for granted, ever be reexperienced? 

These simple things, like enjoying a coffee at a cafe terrace in the city center surrounded by friends, or enjoying a sunny day in the park with the family? Or how about hugs, and kisses on the cheeks? Or a firm handshake with an old friend? 

It’s striking how memories of times not so long ago can change into fragments of an odd and distant world. 





Another era, so it seems, that was much brighter, much more beautiful, much more lively, and no so drenched in fear and diseased by insecurity. 

Normal life. Something that seemed so dark at times. But we only realize the beauty of it now it’s gone. 

So, I tell myself: How on earth could you’ve have been so unappreciative of the freedom we had back then? And how on earth could you’ve been so ignorant of the fact that our liberties are not a matter of course? And how could you have predicted that our lives would be able to change so drastically within the snap of a finger? 

Will life ever go back to normal? 

Well, the normal we perceive as normal is already passed. So what did you do when life was ‘still normal’? Many lived for what was yet to come. And many wasted their time on past resentments too. 

When life was still normal the moment was never good enough. So it took the transformative force of a crisis for you to cherish what you once had, but never esteemed. 

And this is how it’s always been, with most of us. We long for moments that are gone and never come back, to no avail. 

It’s ironic that when times are ‘normal’ we want ‘change’. And when there’s ‘change’ we want ‘normal’. 

So perhaps we don’t want ‘normal’. Perhaps, what we want, is ‘change’, because ‘normal’ seems to never satisfy. 

Will life ever go back to normal? The answer is twofold. 

We’re in a time of radical change, and the more radical the change is, the further we’ll be removed from what once was. 

Life will never be the same again. But the good news is that life has always been changing, yet, as a saying goes: history repeats itself over and over again. 

Change always has been. Sometimes slowly and steadily, other times quickly and radically. 

Right now, life is simply changing at a faster pace. As Lao Tzu once wrote; “If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.” 

The entropic nature of the universe never preserves, and always recreates. 

From the old, it forms the new, without stopping, without looking back, without mercy. 

When we go down the stream of life we never know what we will encounter. 

One day we may quietly float along, another day we might tumble down a waterfall and drastically change course. 

We are in that waterfall right now. And it’s unclear how deep the fall will be. 

But when we hit the bottom, and manage to survive the plunge, chances are that there will be quieter waters ahead of us. 

From there, we can hopefully leave behind what was once normal and give the new normal the respect it deserves. Thank you for reading.

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Why You Should Read Books - 14 Benefits Of Reading More

People have been writing books for centuries someone’s writing a book right now, and books will be written for a long time to come. 

The question is, when was the last time you read a book? While there’s no doubt that reading is a priceless activity, the habit of reading books has been on a decline. 

Most people claim they don’t have the time to read, yet the average person watches TV for more than two hours a day. 

Reading is a workout for your mind - and it’s just as important as physical exercise. So here are 14 reasons why you should read more! 

1. Acquire Knowledge 

This is the most obvious and important benefit of reading. Humans are the only species on Earth that can transmit information and knowledge over a distance and over several generations. 

Written language separates us from all other species. It enables us to transfer knowledge rapidly, and allows us to develop faster. 

Everything you read fills your mind with new bits of information, and the more knowledge you have, the better-equipped you are - and the more able you become to tackle challenges. 

Even if you were to lose everything you physically possess, no one can ever take away your knowledge. 

2. Improve Memory 

Reading books offers the opportunity to stop and take a moment to rethink or reflect on the content. 

When you read a book, you have to remember an assortment of characters, their backgrounds, ambitions, histories, and nuances, as well as the various arcs and subplots that weave their way through the story. 

What’s more, with every new memory you create, you create new pathways in your brain, and this strengthens the existing ones. 

Furthermore, staying mentally stimulated by reading regularly, can slow the progress or possibly even prevent Alzheimer’s or Dementia. 

3. Strengthen Critical And Analytical Skills 

Have you ever read an amazing mystery novel, and solved the mystery yourself - before finishing the book? 

If so, you were able to put your critical thinking skills to work, by taking note of all the details provided, and sorting them out. 

That same ability to analyze details comes in handy - even in real life! In fact, critical thinking skills are essential. 

Being able to solve problems, given just certain elements, are a part of daily life – from finishing a project for work to figuring out how to navigate difficult relationships. 

4. Advance Your Career 

The more you read, the more words you are exposed to. These words will inevitably make their way into your everyday vocabulary and being articulate and well-spoken earns you a bonus point in many professions. 

The ability to confidently communicate with your employers and peers can be an enormous boost to your self-esteem, and it will also help you advance the career ladder. 

Studies have shown that those who are well-read, well-spoken, and knowledgeable on a variety of topics, tend to get promotions more quickly and more often compared to those with smaller vocabularies and lack of awareness of literature, scientific breakthroughs, and global events. 

5. Improve Writing Skills 

In addition to expanding your vocabulary, exposure to published, well-written work has a positive effect on your own writing as well. 

Many successful authors gained their expertise by reading the works of others. 

Observing the various styles of other authors, journalists, poets, and writers will eventually be reflected in your own writing style. 

So, if you want to become a better writer, start by learning from previous masters! 

6. Improve Focus And Concentration 

In these modern days, our attention is constantly drawn in different directions throughout the day. 

Studies have shown that in a single 5-minute span, the average person will divide their time between working on a task, checking email, keeping an eye on social media, monitoring their smartphone, and chatting with a couple of people (either online or in-person). 

Of course, this type of distracted behavior lowers productivity. When you read a book, all of your attention is focused on what you’re reading causing the rest of the world to fade away as you immerse yourself in the details. 

Reading at least 20 minutes a day will improve your concentration, and you’ll be amazed at how much more focused you’ll be. 

7. Boost Inspiration And Motivation 

Reading inspirational books can contribute to your growth and development. 

With the endless amount of perspectives and lives you can read about, books can give you an opportunity to have experiences that you haven’t had the chance to, and still allow you to learn the life skills they entail. 

Essentially, reading is the seed of inspiration. The words plant the ideas in your brain, and those ideas flourish from there. 

8. Learn At Your Own Pace 

Another benefit of reading a book is that you learn at your own pace. Since you have the book all the time, you can always go back to a section you feel you don’t understand. 

You can read a chapter as many times as you wish, without worrying that you’ll miss out on a section. 

If it’s a self-help book, you can tackle one issue at a time. Once you handle one problem, then you can move to the next issue whenever you feel you’re ready. 

Everything is done at your own pace, and most importantly, your mind is free to interpret things the way you feel. 

9. Stimulate Imagination 

You are limited only by what you can imagine. The worlds described in books, as well as other people’s views and opinions, will help you expand your understanding of what is possible. 

By reading a written description of an event or a place, your mind is responsible for creating that image in your head - instead of having the image placed in front of you when you watch TV. 

You connect all these creations and make changes while you keep reading - all the while expanding your worldview. 

When you explore a new literary world, this opens doors for new ideas, subjects, and situations that can get you thinking about trying new experiences. 

10. Improve Conversation Skills 

Because reading increases your vocabulary and your knowledge of how to correctly use new words, it helps you better articulate what you want to say. 

The knowledge you gain from reading also gives you more to talk about with others. You’ll be able to hold your own and add to the conversation instead of having to make excuses and leave. 

You will be able to engage a wider variety of people, and in turn improve your knowledge and conversation skills. 

Ultimately, this will make you a much more interesting and refreshing person to be around. 

11. Become More Empathetic 

According to studies, losing yourself in books, especially fiction, may increase your empathy. 

As you let go of the emotional and mental chatter found in the real world, you enjoy deep reading that allows you to feel what the characters in a story feel. 

And this in turn makes you more empathetic to people in real life. You become more aware and alert to the lives of others. 

12. Sleep Better 

Poor sleep leads to low productivity. This is why so many experts recommend that you establish a regular de-stressing routine before you go to sleep. 

This will help calm your mind, and therefore help you sleep better. Reading a book is one of the best ways to calm yourself before going to bed. 

Even if it’s just for ten minutes, reading can help you push whatever was keeping you awake out of your mind. 

So while in bed, instead of watching television or spending time on your smartphone, grab a book and read. 

13. Source Of Companionship 

During your life, you will experience numerous transitions. Changing schools, jobs, or cities may require you to replace old relationships with new ones and sometimes, these adjustments are harder or take longer than expected. 

Reading can help reduce feelings of alienation and loneliness. Whether it’s through the comfort of a favorite book, or through an emotional connection to relatable characters books provide a stable source of companionship especially during times when you feel the only person you can count on is yourself. 

14. Increase Your Lifespan 

Researchers have found that adults who read at least three and a half hours a week, can expect to have a longer lifespan than those who do not read books. 

This is because reading can increase connectivity between brain cells, which can lower the risk of neurodegenerative diseases that can shorten a lifespan. 

Conclusion

Developing a daily reading habit can be super beneficial for you in fact, reading makes you more intelligent! 

Research shows that reading not only helps with fluid intelligence but with reading comprehension and emotional intelligence as well and as a result, you make smarter decisions about yourself and those around you. 

Whether you choose to nourish your inner escapist or feed your brain with new knowledge, remember to crack open a book and replenish your soul regularly. 

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6 Types of Best Friends You Will Make in Your Life

Have you heard the saying "Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are." How much do you believe in that? In a way, our friends do act as a reflection of ourselves. 

They certainly helped shape who we are and provide guidance in the paths we choose in life. Friends help and change us for the better in many ways. 

So having a close-knit group of people you can connect with is a positive thing. Having said that, here are six types of friends you will most likely make in your lifetime.

1. The Social Butterfly 

This type of friend is likely one of the very first made when joining any new social environment, like a new neighborhood or school or new club.

They're always very friendly, welcoming, and they'll introduce you to everyone they know. They love being around people, and people seem to love being around them. 

They're boundlessly kind, considerate, and will always try to cheer you up when you're down. 

They like to organize get-togethers with everyone and make sure every single person there is enjoying themselves. Do you know anyone who might be a social butterfly in your circle? 

2. The Fearless Adventurer 

Ever thought of someone and thought, "yes, I'm going on an adventure." That person is probably your fearless adventurer. 

They're a fun friend. Someone we don't usually get acquainted with until we attend at least one or two get-togethers. 

They often flow in and out of your life as they please, but you don't mind too much since it's always a blast when they're around. 

Bold, wild, vibrant, and outrageously funny. They're also the life of the party. They show you how to have fun get loose and they're always down for a good time. 

Maybe they invite you to have a spontaneous adventure with them, whether that be a fancy party or a 24-hour road trip. No matter what it is, You know it will be memorable. 

The fearless adventurer may not be the most dependable or stable of your friends, but you know they're always exciting to be around and you have a lot of great stories about the times you spent together. 

3. The Secret Keeper 

This type of friend is someone most of us need in our lives, no matter our age. The secret keeper is the one we tell all of our deepest, darkest secrets to.

Whether it's during a quiet lunch hour or the middle of the night. They're trustworthy, empathetic, and fiercely loyal. 

All you have to do is ask and they're ready to lend an ear or a shoulder for you to cry on. 

They can also give you great advice and can be brutally honest with you when needed. 

Far from being constantly coddling yes-men, they tell you what you need to hear and can help you gain insight into your situation. 

They'll never use your secrets against you or judge you for those secrets. 

Talking to them is easy, effortless, and comfortable. As such, you're more open with them than anyone else in your life. 

4. The Mother Figure 

The mother figure, despite the name, is not always female but is a person in the group who always tries to care for everyone's needs. 

They attend to their friends and put everyone else ahead of themselves without ever asking for anything in return. 

They're incredibly selfless, compassionate, and caring about those around them. 

As the unspoken, then-mother of the group, they're the ones turn to for help and support They look out for all their friends and are usually the first to stand up for you, should you be picked on. 

When conflict arises, they'll mediate and keep the peace in the group. They want everyone to get along. 

5. The Good Older Sibling 

Have you watched a movie or TV series lately that has a strong, dependable, wise older sibling? Do you ever wish you had someone like that?

Having this kind of friend in your life will do wonders for expanding your opportunities while also enhancing your skills and knowledge. 

They guide you on your journey making sure you're going in the right direction, but don't fuss or smother. 

They teach you what they know, letting you in on all their best life hacks. They're your cheerleader and support team in everything you do. They're also usually inspirational. 

Motivating us to improve because we want to, not because we feel inadequate. 

There's a connection with them and you likely see them as the older sibling you always wanted but never had.

6. The Loyal Best Friend 

At the grand finale of this list, we have a loyal best friend. That golden Holy Grail person who's stuck by you through thick and thin through the years. 

You'll call on them for emergencies because you know that regardless of the situation, they'll always be there for you when you need them the most. 

You've shared so much together that they feel more like family than a friend. 

They're the first person you want to tell when something good happens and they've been by your side through all of your best and landmark-worthy moments. 

Whether it's watching movies at home, or going to a party or on vacation you love to spend time with them. 

Even if you've drifted apart or they're not currently in your life, the loyal best friend is definitely a friend you'll keep in your heart forever. 

If you have all these types of friends in your life, you are so lucky. True friendship is a rare and precious gift, so don't take it for granted Let them know you appreciate them. 

References:
lifehack.org/articles/communication/11-types-friends-you-will-have-your-lifetime.html

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How To Stop Overthinking Everything You Do

If human beings weren't able to consciously process thoughts, we could not have achieved political, social, technological, and economic advancement. 

Since thinking is able to provide so many advantages in modern society, it would be easy to assume that overthinking would be seen as a positive habit or quality. 

However, overthinking is a negative habit that has the potential to cause extreme problems. 

Overthinking anything whether it be situations, opinions, or people’s actions can cloud your judgment and prevent you from taking action. 

It invades your mind with doubt, non-existent obstacles, negativity, and deteriorates the happiness in your life. 

Fortunately, there are some active steps that you can take to stop overthinking everything and take back control of your life. 

Change Your Approach To Decision Making 

It is important to learn what you can about yourself when it comes to overthinking. 

If you catch yourself overthinking something, ask yourself why you could be overthinking the situation. 

Most of the time, overthinking is brought on by fear, usually a fear of making the wrong decisions about something. 

This may include, making the wrong decisions that may lead to failure, embarrassment, or other negative outcomes. 

Overthinking, sadly, does not help you to make the right decisions. Rather, overthinking places you in a state of stagnation, which fuels the negative outcome you may be fearing. 

To help overcome these fears, you should remember to view the situation as an opportunity for learning, not as a situation where all will be lost if you don’t get everything right. 

If you end up making the right decisions, that’s wonderful and will prove to be a positive thing to look back on. 

If you make the wrong decisions, you can use them to learn how to better go about these situations the next time around. 

Become Action-Oriented 

You may have heard of something called analysis paralysis. This is brought on by overthinking or overanalyzing situations repeatedly. 

Further overanalyzing a situation that may be troubling you, will only hold you back from taking action. 

If you catch yourself overthinking or procrastinating a situation, simply take action. 

And if you get an outcome that you didn’t hope for, you can learn to improvise and overcome the situation. 

Think About The Master Plan 

Overthinking is a great way to fuel negative thoughts about situations that aren’t very significant in your life. 

Overanalyzing things makes small problems seem much bigger than they really are. 

Taking a look at the bigger picture will help you stop overthinking these small situations. 

Asking yourself if whatever is giving you so much trouble will really matter a month from now; in a year; five or ten years from now you will find that most times, the answer is no. 

Once you learn to stop giving significance to these small problems, you will be one step closer to overcoming your habit of overthinking. 

Stop Waiting For The Perfect Moment 

When you constantly overthink things, you become prone to the belief that there is always a perfect moment for everything. This leads to intense procrastination and stress. 

For example, if you wanted to start a small business, it would be easy to overthink the following questions: What if I don’t have the money or time? What if I don’t get customers or good reviews? Could I really start this new business? This would most likely lead to you giving up on the idea and not starting the business at all. 

The truth is, there’s never really a perfect time to do anything - whether it be starting a business, getting married, having children, writing a book, or doing anything else. 

Overthinking will only prevent you from getting things done, no matter how much you want to do them. 

Remembering that there is never a perfect time for anything will put you at ease when it comes to certain situations like these. 

Set Time Limits For Making Decisions 

Giving yourself endless time to get something done or make the right decisions, provides easy access for overthinking. 

You may start overthinking the possibilities or things you may have left out. To avoid doing this, you can set time limits for making certain decisions. 

Of course, when it comes to setting limits for decisions, the time limit you set, must correspond accordingly to the decisions that you are trying to make. 

Once you’ve reached your time limit, avoid analyzing the situation any further. 

Make your final decision and move forward with what you’ve ultimately decided. 

Give Your Best And Forget The Rest 

It is easy to overthink new situations that you find yourself in. You may worry about your ability to handle them. 

Maybe you think you’re not dedicated enough, rich enough, or smart enough to do what you feel is required of you. 

This hinders your ability to face situations, even if you are perfectly capable of handling them. 

Once you find yourself in a situation that may cause you to overthink your abilities, focus on putting forth your best effort, and avoid worrying about the overall outcome. 

Many times, outcomes of situations depend on outside factors that we have no control over. 

Simply do what you can to the best of your ability, and forget the rest. 

Learn To Recognize And Stop Extra Thoughts 

Overthinking is usually characterized by thoughts that are not helpful in any way when it comes to big picture ideas. 

If you find yourself overthinking something, take a moment to relax and ask yourself if the thoughts you’re thinking are helping you in any way. 

If they are not helping you, mentally tell yourself to stop. For example, fearing that you may get into a car crash as you get into a car, will not help you at all. 

Once you learn how to tell yourself to stop, focus your remaining attention on whatever it is that you are doing. 

When it comes to overthinking anything, learn to recognize the thoughts that are not helpful. 

Give yourself mental instructions to put an end to these negative thoughts so you can direct your focus on the given situation. 

Practice Introspection 

One of the easiest ways to overcome mental negativity is to grab a notepad and pen and make a list of your thoughts. 

When you finally recognize these overwhelming thoughts, writing them down will help you avoid stressing yourself out over the negativity. 

After writing down what you’re worried about, you can create another column opposite of the list, and write what you can do about each thing that is bothering you. 

If there is something you CAN do about the situation, write it down, and give yourself a time limit to do it. 

If NOT, remember that there’s nothing more you can do about it. Learning the art of introspection will help you rid yourself of over-analyzing and make you realize that overthinking will not help you in any way. 

Consider The Worst-Case Scenario 

When we overthink situations, we often create imaginary fears and consider disastrous scenarios that are unlikely to play out in real life. 

If you do not take a closer look at these scenarios, they may keep you from trying new things. 

So, next time you catch yourself overthinking a situation, ask yourself what’s the worst possible thing that can happen. 

For example, maybe you have a job interview coming up, and you start stressing about it and overthinking it. 

But what’s the worst possible thing that can happen from failing that interview? You will simply have to apply for more jobs. 

Using this technique can help you realize that the worst-case scenario in a situation, usually really isn’t as scary as you make it out to be. Learning to consider these scenarios will save you a lot of mental anguish. 

Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself 

Most people tend to overthink things because they are being too hard on themselves. 

You may be craving to be successful to the point where you’re beating yourself up if things don’t go as you want them to. 

You find that you are unable to forgive yourself for the times when you’ve failed. 

Well, stop! It is absolutely impossible to break the habit of overthinking if you’re constantly criticizing yourself. 

The truth is, that life will not always go exactly as you envision it. There will be times where things will go wrong - and that’s okay. 

You must learn to forgive yourself and realize that in some cases, the situations you find yourself in are not your fault. 

Once you’ve learned not to be as hard on yourself, you will be increasingly more confident - and less prone to overthinking. 

Think Usefully 

It is easy to overthink situations in which we have no control over. Worrying about such scenarios is basically useless thinking. 

What you should be focusing on is thinking usefully. For instance, say you want a promotion at work. 

A useful thing you could say to yourself is, “What do I need to do in order to get this promotion?” And after you’ve asked yourself that question, you can work on bettering your skills or furthering your education in order to get the promotion. 

Worrying about if your boss will even agree to promote you, is useless thinking. 

If you have done everything that you can in order to get the promotion, it is then still up to your boss to decide whether or not he or she will promote you. 

If you catch yourself overthinking a situation, focus your thoughts on constructive criticism and what you can do, rather than focusing on what could go wrong. 

Trust Yourself 

Overthinking future events is usually due to feeling insecure about yourself. 

You may not be confident in your abilities to handle situations, which in turn makes you doubt yourself and leads to overthinking. 

However, you are built to handle most situations you will find yourself in life. 

You just need to remember to find confidence in yourself and in your abilities. 

Whatever is in front of you, is something that you can handle. You have the ability to make the right decisions. 

Once you learn to have trust in yourself, it will be much easier for you to make decisions - and overthink situations less. 

Conclusion

Most of us overthink or overanalyze certain situations throughout our lives, and it’s perfectly normal to do so. 

However, when your overthinking becomes a habit, it will take some time to learn how to prevent this habit from taking over your life; and following these simple steps can help you do that. 

All in all, it is important to understand that not all things can be controlled, and it is also important to learn how to accept that. 

Overthinking is often caused by a person’s desire to be able to control every aspect of their life, but there’s no way you can do that. 

Once you are able to accept that there are many things outside of your control, you will be significantly closer to solving your overthinking problem.

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