Stop overthinking: think clearly instead of striving for perfection

Introduction

Have you ever spent hours pondering a decision, only to feel even more uncertain at the end? Or have you had to rewrite a sentence several times because it didn't feel ‘quite right’? People with anankastic personality traits or obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD) even tend to analyse their thoughts endlessly – at the expense of their mental health and quality of life.

Rumination blocks decision-making, creates anxiety, and wastes time. Clear thinking helps to break the cycle of ruminating and make decisions with more certainty.

This post answers the following questions:

• Why do anankastic personalities and OCD sufferers tend to ruminate?

• How does over-analysis lead to stress and decision paralysis?

• What strategies help to gain clarity of thought and reduce excessive doubting?

Why do some people tend to overthink?

Overthinking is often the result of an excessive need for perfection, control and security. Those who suffer from an obsessive way of thinking often believe:

• ‘I have to be absolutely sure before I make a decision.’

• ‘If I don't analyse everything, something could go wrong.’

• ‘There must be a perfect solution—I just have to find it.’

These thoughts lead to decisions being postponed and simple questions suddenly taking on enormous significance.

Ways out of the vicious circle of rumination: strategies for more clarity

Accept that 100% certainty does not exist

Many people remain in a state of rumination because they want absolute certainty—which does not exist.

How to implement it:

• Allow yourself to make a decision with 80% certainty.

• Remember: Mistakes are not failures, but learning opportunities.

• Set time limits for decisions.

Why it helps: The hunt for absolute certainty prolongs rumination and blocks action.

Decide instead of analyse

Analysing feels productive, but often it is an avoidance strategy.

How to implement it:

• Set a time limit for your deliberations.

• If two options appear to be equally good, make a decision at random.

• Remember: No decision is final – most of them can be corrected.

Why it helps: Analysing for too long rarely leads to better decisions, but only to more stress.

Question perfectionism

Perfection doesn't exist—and often, ‘good enough’ is perfectly adequate.

How to implement it:

• Ask yourself: ‘Does this small improvement really make a difference?’

• Limit corrections to two rounds—then finish.

• Accept that imperfection is part of life.

Why it helps: Perfectionism fuels rumination and often leads to roadblocks instead of better outcomes.

Focus on the now

Thoughts often revolve around hypothetical ‘what if’ scenarios. Clarity comes when you focus on the here and now.

How to implement it:

• Use breathing techniques to ground yourself.

• Write your thoughts down to get them out of your head.

• Remember: the present is the only time you can act.

Why it helps: Fear of the future and analysing the past intensify the maelstrom of thoughts and prevent clear thinking.

Accepting that doubt is normal

People with a high need for precision and a high need for assurance often want absolute certainty – but life is full of uncertainties.

How to implement it:

• Say to yourself: ‘I am allowed to feel uncertain and still act.’

• Prioritise instead of getting lost in details.

• Allow yourself to make decisions even with uncertainty.

Why it helps: Instead of fighting doubt, learn to live with it—and still take action.

Conclusion

Overthinking paralyzes—clear thinking helps to regain control. Avoiding the perfection trap and focusing on the now helps you find more inner peace and make better decisions.

To promote clarity of thought:

• Accept that there is no absolute certainty.

• Make decisions instead of analysing forever.

• Let go of perfection.

• Focus on the moment.

• Live with uncertainty without letting it hold you back.

Clear thinking doesn't mean always having the perfect answer—but knowing when it's time to move on.