Emotionally intelligent people: the brilliant phrase to stop overthinking

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We’ve all been there: stuck in a loop of overthinking, analyzing every angle of a decision, unable to make a move. Whether it’s choosing a team member for your business or figuring out what to have for dinner, overthinking can become a mental block. But emotionally intelligent people have a simple, yet powerful, trick to stop the spiral of indecision: a brilliant three-word phrase that gets them moving. What’s the secret? “Give it a try.”

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Why Overthinking Happens – And How to Break Free

Overthinking often stems from fear: fear of making the wrong decision, fear of consequences, or simply the fear of uncertainty. This constant analysis can make us freeze, unable to move forward with any decision. It’s a common challenge we all face, whether in our personal lives or at work. Overthinking is a hallmark of anxiety—an estimated 19.1% of U.S. adults had an anxiety disorder in the past year¹.

Did you know? In the past year, 74% of UK adults reported feeling so stressed they were overwhelmed or unable to cope².

The issue with overthinking is that it doesn’t help us make better decisions; in fact, it often keeps us stuck in the same place. Psychologists point out that overthinking is a form of avoidance—we spend so much time thinking about the problem that we delay solving it. In the workplace, this paralysis is costly: work-related stress, depression, or anxiety accounted for 16.4 million working days lost in Great Britain in 2023/242, highlighting how decision paralysis and stress dent productivity.

The Power of “Give it a Try”

The concept behind “give it a try” is deceptively simple but profoundly effective. Instead of getting caught in the details and trying to predict every possible outcome, emotionally intelligent people take one small step forward and see where it leads—treating decisions as experiments rather than irreversible commitments. As psychologist Dr. Alice Boyes puts it, “Perfectionism is the enemy of execution; action is the antidote to anxiety.”

Take the example of a new business owner faced with the daunting task of making their first hire. With limited experience and a pool of seemingly great candidates, the decision felt paralyzing. The more the owner analyzed resumes and qualifications, the more uncertain they became. But once they adopted the “give it a try” mindset, they stopped overthinking and made a choice. If it worked, great; if not, they could adjust later.

This approach is about making progress, not finding the “perfect” answer. It’s about learning through experience and adapting as you go—a tactic that helps avoid perfectionism and its attendant delays.

How to Implement the “Give it a Try” Approach

If you find yourself stuck in the overthinking cycle, here’s how to apply this action-driven mindset:

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Do Your Research, But Don’t Drown in Details: Gather essential information from one or two reliable sources; avoid reviewing more than three options to prevent analysis paralysis.
Focus on Controllable Factors: Identify what you can influence (such as your preparation) versus what you cannot (like others’ reactions).
Set a Non-Negotiable Deadline: Research shows that 90% of unresolved decisions drag on for more than 48 hours without a deadline; set a firm cutoff—say 24 hours—to commit and move forward.

Learning From Mistakes and Moving Forward

The beauty of this experimental mindset is that it reduces the pressure to be perfect. Instead of viewing outcomes as definitive verdicts, you see them as learning experiences. As emotional researcher Dr. Susan David notes, “Discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life.” Through trying, failing, and adapting, we grow.

Even history offers wisdom here. Admiral Horatio Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar was rooted in his philosophy of “engage the enemy more closely”—essentially, his own version of “give it a try.” His willingness to act, despite uncertainty, helped secure a decisive win.

Final Thoughts: Progress Trumps Perfection

Overthinking wastes more opportunities than it saves. As emotionally intelligent people know, confidence builds through small, measured steps. So next time you find yourself paralyzed by indecision, take a deep breath and remember: progress is often more important than perfection. It’s time to stop overthinking and just give it a try.