Ever spent 30 minutes or more rewriting a simple text message?
Going back and forth on what to say in a reply that should take seconds?
I used to do this all the time.
I’d get a message for a small request. If it was something I didn’t want to do, I’d sit there trying to find the “right” way to respond so I didn’t offend them. Before I knew it, I’d been staring at the keypad for over 20 minutes, wondering where the time had gone.
I got fed up with how much time I was wasting on overanalysing small decisions.
This is the simple rule I used to get my time back, which might help you too.
The 10-Minute Decision Game
Step 1: Set a timer (start with 10 minutes)
You can set the timer for whatever time you want, but having a short window stops you from dragging it out longer than it needs to be.
Step 2: Make the decision before the timer ends
Instead of sitting there going back and forth, you just decide. It builds momentum instead of hesitation.
Step 3: No re-checking or second-guessing once you’ve decided
This was a big one for me, but it cuts the overthinking loop immediately.
Bonus: Reduce the time over time
Once 10 minutes starts to feel like more than enough, lower it.
5 minutes → 2 minutes → eventually you won’t need a timer at all.
Where This Works Best
I’ve used the ‘10-minute game’ for smaller decisions. You’ll probably want more time for bigger life decisions, but this is for the everyday things that sneakily eat your time.
- Sending messages or emails
- Choosing what to do with your free time
- Small purchases
- Planning and organising mini events
- Anything small you keep second-guessing
What This Replaces
- Going back and forth in your head
- Delaying simple decisions
- Trying to make the “perfect” choice
Quick Prompts (if you catch yourself overthinking)
These are the ones I use when I notice myself slipping back into procrastination mode.
General decisions
- Do I already know what I want to do?
- Why can’t I decide?
Messages
- What do I actually want to say?
- What would I say if I didn’t overthink it?
Buying something
- Do I really want this, or am I just unsure for no reason?
Keep it Playful
Letting go of overthinking can feel like a game if you keep things light and fun.
One of the things I noticed was how clearer my mind became when I stopped second-guessing every decision.
Try it on something small and see how it feels for you.