How Can You Overcome Overthinking and Write Faster with This 3-Step System?
After struggling with overthinking for months, I discovered this simple 3-step system that completely transformed my writing process.
Introduction
The perfect introduction doesn’t exist.
If you spend tens of minutes trying to create the perfect intro, only to delete everything and start over and over, understand that you are going nowhere. It is in vain. Again, the perfect introduction doesn’t exist.
Though, don’t worry, I thought the same.
I thought I should start one blog post with having the best introduction, and then continue writing the body and the conclusion. It took me more than 100 posts to understand that.
But things have changed. Now I have a simple 3-system that completely transforms my writing process.
This system isn’t just theory. I know it works, because I have been writing for months without overthinking, clearer and faster. By the end of this article, you will know practically how to overcome overthinking and write faster.
Step 1: Use constraints
Overthinking happens when there is too much.
When you have too much information, too much time, and no structure, your brain tries to find “the perfect” way of writing something. All you have to do is to trick it. But how?
Use constraints!
Recently, I read something from Nicolas Cole and it fits perfectly here.
His writing exercises are constraints.
You might not go with the same approach. Go with a simpler one:
Set a timer for 30 minutes and write without stopping, until the times go off. The rule is you should not stop at all. No editing. No second-guessing. Only writing!
Or, you could go with a word count goal. Let’s say, 400 words in 25 minutes.
Or, write three Substack Notes starting from one headline.
These are constraints. Just write, and remember done is better than perfect.
A few months ago, I wanted to write 50 posts/articles in a single month. Knowing I had to come up with ideas, to avoid being a victim of overthinking, I said I would write a post that would include a challenge each day of the month.
I wrote 43 posts that month, of which 31 were posts containing a challenge.
Step 2: Use the 'one-sentence rule'
I love this rule.
Overthinking and overwhelming come because you want to tackle too much at once. When your brain thinks it has to write one whole article, or email, it gets paralyzed. Believe me or not.
The solution is simple.
Start with just one sentence. That's it. One sentence about your topic.
Then write one more that naturally follows from the first.
Continue adding one sentence at a time.
This way you build momentum, and you might be able to finish the whole post.
I discovered this method because of a 1-2-3 seconds productivity hack, from a guy on YouTube. When you feel like procrastinating, staying on your couch or bed, take a deep breath, count to three, and instantly get up and tackle one small task you have to do.
I adapted this into writing. The small task is the one sentence.
The idea of this one-sentence rule is to ‘trick’ the brain into focusing on a task that’s manageable, and not on a bigger thing, like a blog, article, email, you name it.
Step 3: If you can’t write, then talk
When you speak, you break any overthinking.
It is not like you talk with someone, and you don’t know how to answer or something, haha! You talk and your thoughts go out fluently, conversational, without you thinking too much about them, or self-editing them. That would be crazy!
So, instead of writing (typing), talk.
Use voice-to-text tools like Google Docs' voice typing or Otter.ai to capture your spoken ideas.
Record yourself explaining your topic as if you're teaching it to a friend.
Focus on clarity, not perfection.
I do this a lot while walking to my workplace.
You would be surprised what a nice draft you would have by the end of a 15-20 minute walk.
Last thoughts
There you have it! A three-step system to overcome overthinking.
Set clear constraints → Use a timer and word goal to create productive urgency.
Use the one-sentence rule → Build momentum one thought at a time.
Don’t write it, talk it → Bypass overthinking by speaking your ideas first.
Simple as that. Writing doesn't need to be a struggle.
What can you do starting from now?
Apply this 3-step system when you feel like overthinking.
Implement every actionable tip I added in this post.
Build a writing habit with this 30-day writing challenge.
Or allow me to guide you.
Which step do you like that could be a game changer for you?
If you find this useful, let others know about it by sharing and restacking it. It takes only 5 seconds to do it. I would appreciate it!