In this episode of QueenMode, Dr. Ana Castilla breaks down how to stop overthinking, build self-trust, and make confident business decisions that create real momentum. If you’ve been stuck in analysis paralysis, second-guessing yourself, or delaying moves you know you need to make—this episode gives you a decision-making system you can use today.

Overthinking isn’t neutral—it’s expensive. And I want you to see exactly where it’s costing you: revenue, energy, timing, and leadership.

What I cover in Episode 18

Overthinking is costing you money (and identity).

I explain why indecision drains your momentum and trains your brain to believe: I don’t trust myself. And when that becomes your identity, it leaks into your leadership, your messaging, and your brand.

The truth about confidence:

You don’t become confident and then decide.

You decide—and confidence catches up.

Confidence is a side effect of self-trust, and self-trust is built through reps: Decide → Act → Learn → Refine.

Optimizing vs. avoiding (the test you need).

I draw a clear line between doing smart due diligence and outsourcing certainty. Optimizing happens after a decision, inside movement. Avoiding happens before a decision, inside fantasy. If you’re still “researching” but haven’t taken a single proof step, that’s not strategy—that’s avoidance.

The hidden taxes of hesitation:

I break down four ways overthinking quietly charges you interest:

1. Time tax (weeks lost on decisions that should take minutes)
2. Energy tax (mental tabs open all day)
3. Timing tax (missed windows)
4. Brand tax (inconsistency that confuses your audience and slows conversion)

And I connect this to a deeper truth: when your positioning is unclear, your offer is muddy, or your ideal client isn’t defined, every decision feels riskier and more emotional than it needs to be.

The Authority Gap (and why it makes women hesitate).

I go deep on how the Authority Gap—popularized by Mary Ann Sieghart in The Authority Gap—creates a double bind that punishes women socially for the same decisiveness men are rewarded for.

Then I show how this hijacks decision-making through: hesitation, over-explaining, consensus-seeking, and reopening decisions after you’ve made them.

The Authority Gap interrupt + scripts you can use today.

When you feel yourself trying to be liked before you lead, I give you the exact interrupt:

“Am I making a business decision… or an approval decision?”

Plus simple script swaps to keep your authority without performing for it.

My decision-making system (fast, clean, not reckless).

I teach you how to decide faster without being impulsive using:

1. Two-Way Door vs. One-Way Door decisions
2. A “Queen safety rail” (what’s reckless vs. what’s responsible)
3. 3 decision rules that speed up execution without lowering standards
4. A 6-step protocol for high-stakes decisions
5. A challenge to make one decision today and take a proof step within 24 hours

How to learn more + work with Ana

QueenMode is hosted by Dr. Ana Castilla—orthodontist-turned-entrepreneur, speaker, and coach helping women build powerful, profitable businesses with clarity and CEO-level execution.

To inquire about 1:1 coaching, DM BOLD to @dranacastilla.

To request the “Queen Decision Protocol” checklist, DM PROTOCOL to @queenmodepodcast.

For more episodes and resources, visit:

https://dranacastilla.com/queenmodepodcast