Today, McKay talks all about action on the podcast, starting off the episode by recounting Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 expedition to Antarctica.  After two years of combatting ice, cold temperatures, and the ocean, Shackleton finally managed to save his team and bring them home.  McKay attributes his unlikely success to his willingness to move and set his plans into action, and points out that many of us overthink far too much and are paralyzed by our thoughts.  To overcome our overthinking, action is the best remedy - making moves, changing our thought processes, and cultivating what McKay calls our emotional homes are key to success.

During the latter half of this episode, McKay introduces Larry Lemieux, an Olympic sailor who made the heroic decision to forfeit his pursuit of the gold medal to save his competitors drowning in the water.  It was his quick action skills that made this move possible - he didn’t overthink.  Likewise, McKay draws this episode to conclusion by detailing Sarah Lift’s decision to leave her abusive household at the age of 15.  He says that her fast acting, like that of Lemieux, changed her life and led her down a path to emotional freedom and financial success. Listen in today as McKay demonstrates that, truly, “there is power in moving and keeping your focus on the next necessary part of your life's journey.”

The Finer Details of This Episode:

• Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 mission to Antarctica 
• Why overthinking is a bad habit 
• Why action assuages overthinking
• The importance of a healthy emotional home
• Larry Lemieux’s heroic move at the Olympics
• Sara Lift’s decision to leave her abusive household

Quotes:

“We let habitual thinking freeze us from time to time, and the way out of our situation, or to safety or success, just might be to move. Action is a powerful force, not only in our life, but in our minds.”

“The problem with overthinking is it can become a habit, and soon we get hung up on relatively simple decisions.  We worry excessively, our mind tends to go into overdrive, and we even begin to think about our thinking.”

“Overthinking can prevent us from taking action by keeping us trapped in circular thoughts.  When we overthink, we may be unable to separate facts and what we know for sure from the worries we keep telling ourselves.”

“You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading your last one.”

“Overthinking plagues many of us, and we can change the rumination going on in our life and our thinking by focusing on what's next.”

“Stand guard at the door of your mind. Only build rooms for the people and technology that helps you direct your thinking.”

Links:

Open Your Eyes with McKay Christensen