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4 Ways to Beat Binge Thinking in 2015
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you start thinking about the new year.
On every TV screen and Twitter feed there are reminders from friends and complete strangers that you can be better version of you and start again in January.
You start thinking about all the ways you want to improve your life.
“This will be the year I work out!”
“This will be the year I start that YouTube Channel!”
“This year I will stop eating sugar!”
*Two hours later: eats a row of cookies.*
Last year I didn’t make any resolutions or start the year with any changes. Truthfully, I went into ‘compare and despair’ mode. I had so many things I wanted to change, I started binge thinking and not taking any action.
So what is this ‘binge thinking?’
Binge thinking is when you think about what action you want to take, but not actually start. Common symptoms include: falling down the YouTube rabbit hole, feeling drunk on other people’s content, and feeling like a failure who can’t accomplish anything.
It simply sucks.
So I’m here to share four ways to beat binge thinking in 2015.
- Start small. The way I’ve been able to do anything creative is by starting small. From starting my blog to creating a TV show. Send one email. Make one phone call. Choose to do something so small it’s almost impossible not to do it.
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Hire a coach. When I wanted to launch my new website and start my side business, I was supremely overwhelmed. I had so many things I wanted to do. I started thinking: “I could start with a blog, or maybe a podcast… or perhaps a YouTube video – and couldn’t figure it out. When you hire a coach and invest in yourself, you have someone who will hold you accountable and give you actionable advice to get out of your head and into action.
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Look at the areas of your life you avoid. When you avoid being honest with yourself and numbing out over certain issues (i.e. weight, relationships, finances) – it will hold you back. For me, I was stressed out by finances. I avoided looking at my complete financial picture for years (mostly due to my fear of not knowing how to pay back my student loans). So early this year, I sought expert advice. When I was willing, I hired a financial coach who helped me to look into what’s going on. I now work with her once month to help me with this.
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Move Your Body! After you’ve spent 15 minutes (or more) thinking about how to start (and perhaps looking at other people’s work for inspiration) you may feel overwhelmed and the self-doubt could be creeping in. This is not the ideal time to start your own thing. The way to be successful in 2015 is getting your body, mind and soul onboard. So when you are trying to think your way to a solution, stop. Stop immediately. Go for a walk. Go for a run. Get out of your head, and back into your body so you can intuitively feel how you should start.
2015 is the ideal time to start on the goals and dreams that matter most to you. Don’t be the one to stop you from starting. If you want to talk more about #BanBingeThinking connect with me @gwenelliot or join Start Small in 2015!
5 Responses
So I couldn’t help be drawn to this headline as someone with (diagnosed) OCD. Intrusive thoughts in the chronic sense can really beat you down, and, of course, mental illness sucks. But the form of binge thinking you’re talking about sucks too. It really is helpful to work with a coach (not that I’m not totally biased as a business coach!) to move you from the ideas phase to the action phase. Also, the principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, which are useful for more serious harmful thought patterns, are also useful in retraining your brain away from binge thinking.
I never thought about binge thinking before, but I know have experienced it! After brainstorming, it’s difficult sometimes to pick where to start. But as you pointed out, you start small and do something so easy that you know it will get done. The best part? The great feeling I get when I’ve tackled the unknown and completed something I wasn’t sure I could do. That keeps me addicted to trying new things every day. Thanks for this post, Gwen. Congratulations on your upcoming TV show!
Hey Mallie! I so appreciate your reply! I would love to include your tips on a new blog post I’m writing! (I’ll also link out to Off the Road Millennial!) Could you email me your fave tip, your title and your website to elliotgwen@gmail.com? 😀
Thank you Mary Lou!! If you’re interested in Starting Small – definitely join us in http://www.startsmallin2015.com/! It’s a free fun course to help you get started!!