How overthinking killed my dreams and what I did to stop it
I spent years jumping from idea to idea, never taking action. Here’s how I finally broke the cycle.
Have you ever felt like your own mind is your biggest obstacle? That you’re trapped in a loop of overthinking, self-doubt, and hesitation—analyzing every possible outcome until you end up doing… nothing?
I know this struggle intimately.
For years, I’ve had a fire inside me—a deep calling to create something meaningful. Yet, every time I took the first steps toward something new, my mind would sabotage me with doubt, fear, and analysis paralysis.
I’d tell myself I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t good enough. That I needed more experience, more knowledge, more… something.
But the truth?
It wasn’t lack of knowledge or experience that held me back. It was fear.
The weight of overthinking
After selling my family-owned business, I felt a deep void - like something inside me was constantly nudging me to start again. To create. To build.
And so, I tried. Over and over.
A course content website
A YouTube channel (on programming)
A web design company
A coaching business
Writing a book
Developing an online course
An e-commerce store
Game development
A group travel company
But nothing lasted. Not because they weren’t good ideas - but because I never let them grow.
Every time I started something, self-doubt would creep in:
"Who’s going to buy from you?"
"You’re not an expert—why should anyone listen to you?"
"You already failed once—what makes you think this time will be different?"
"Your story doesn’t matter."
I jumped from idea to idea, convincing myself I needed to perfect the plan before executing it. I wrote business plans, marketing strategies, mission statements… but when it was time to take action, I froze.
It became painful—watching ideas I loved slip away because I couldn’t get out of my own head.
I prayed for guidance, asking: Waheguru (God), how can I serve? How can I be worthy of this life You have given me?
For a long time, I felt abandoned, lost in my thoughts. But then, I found something that changed everything.
How CBT helped me break the cycle
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) taught me a profound truth:
Your thoughts are not facts.
I had spent years believing the fearful stories my mind created. But CBT helped me see that I had the power to rewrite those narratives.
So, I started reprogramming my mind, challenging my fears one by one:
Fear of failure
"What if I fail?"
Reframe: "Failure is feedback. Every setback is a step toward success."
Fear of not being good enough (Imposter syndrome)
"I’m not an expert. Who am I to do this?"
Reframe: "Every expert started as a beginner. My perspective is unique and valuable."
Fear of uncertainty & perfectionism
"What if I make the wrong decision?"
Reframe: "Progress is better than perfection. I can learn as I go."
Fear of judgment
"What if people don’t like my idea?"
Reframe: "Not everyone has to like it—my focus is on those who will benefit."
Fear of financial instability
"What if I lose money?"
Reframe: "I can start small, test my idea, and grow steadily. But cover my bases"
For the first time in years, I felt free.
How to break free from overthinking and take action
Overthinking thrives on fear - fear of failure, of judgment, of making the wrong choice. But action dissolves fear.
Here’s how you can start breaking the cycle today:
Challenge your thoughts
When fear arises, ask yourself:
Is this fear based on fact, or is it just a story I’m telling myself?
What’s the absolute worst that could happen? And how would I handle it?
What’s the best possible outcome?
Wrote down in you journal whatever comes up. And keep digging deeper.
Inquire.
Take small, imperfect actions
You don’t need a perfect plan - you just need to start. One small step is all it takes to shift from stagnation to momentum.
Instead of researching for months, send one email.
Instead of waiting until you’re "ready," launch the project and learn as you go.
Use journaling to reframe your mindset
Journaling prompts to overcome fear & gain clarity in your business
Journaling is a powerful way to break through self-doubt, overthinking, and fear - especially when starting or growing a business. When we put our thoughts on paper, we can see them clearly, challenge our fears, and shift into an action-oriented mindset.
Take 10–15 minutes to reflect on these prompts and gain clarity on your next business move:
Fear vs. reality check
What’s the worst that could happen if I move forward with my business idea? How would I handle it?
Reframing self-doubt
What fear is currently holding me back? How can I reframe it into an empowering belief?
Small steps, big progress
What is one small action I can take today that will move me forward?
Shift your perspective
If I were advising a close friend who had this business idea, what would I tell them to do?
Recognizing your strengths
What skills, experiences, or knowledge do I already have that will help me succeed—no matter what happens?
Bonus prompt: What excites me the most about this business? How can I lean into that excitement to fuel my next steps?
Your thoughts create your reality. Use journaling as a tool to shift your mindset, gain confidence, and start taking real action toward your vision.
You don’t have to be fearless to start. You just have to be willing.
What’s the biggest insight you had from this exercise? Let me know in the comments!
Why I started writing
For years, I waited for the perfect business idea - but I realized that my true gift was communication. With words. Processing. Inquiring. Getting clarity.
Journaling helped me heal, gain clarity, and take action. And now, I want to help others do the same.
Through a powerful writing challenge focused on uncovering my coaching mission, I had a breakthrough. In putting words to my purpose, I realized that my work is more than just a profession - it is a calling. This what I learned about my calling:
“I am here to be a force of light in a world that often feels heavy. Where there is darkness, I bring clarity. Where there is hopelessness, I deliver hope - if they are willing to receive it. Every person I help is another step toward creating more light, more love, and more transformation in the world. This is my calling, and I embrace it fully, knowing that the right people will continue to find me, just as they are meant to.”
This Substack is my way of guiding you to break free from limiting beliefs - to reframe your fears, take action, and create a life that aligns with your purpose.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in overthinking, you are not alone. I invite you to join me on this journey - one word at a time