Many people aren’t familiar with the concept of overplanning. Every family consists of an over-planner who plans excessively or more than is required of them. These sorts of people are also considered perfectionists. They want things to be carried out a certain way without external factors hindering the process. 

In today’s demanding, fast-paced world, it is necessary to address the difference between proactive planning and excessive overplanning. In many cases, overplanning is also considered a sign of anxiety. Planning is usually internally focused and doesn’t involve the competition and techniques required to compete against the external elements at play. 

In this article, we’ll explore everything related to overplanning and how it affects individuals who engage in it. Overplanning has a direct effect on our mental and physical health. It also relates to our well-being and ensures people are able to function without engaging in such practices.

What is an Over Planner?

An over-planner is an individual who has the urge and deliberation to plan every aspect of their life. They are great travel buddies and planners who make things happen in time. You can always count on them to work things out and plan everything. However, they’re never able to let go and in the process, miss out on things. One of the main reasons for overplanning is that we are not willing to waste time. It’s a good explanation why nobody wants to put in more time on something significant. However, overplanning is a time-consuming and ultimately dangerous practice. 

When does it become problematic?

Your drive to forecast and manage events even if you are aware that you have little influence over reality is embodied by overplanning. Therefore, consider overplanning to be a hiding place. You voluntarily hide there to prevent yourself from actually beginning whatever it is you need to accomplish. You are kept safe and secure in the hideout, away from all the unknowns and dangers that come with acting.

Signs you might be an overplanner

Prominent signs of overplanning are:

  • Angry/irritated  

If you get triggered by anything that isn’t according to how you want things to want to go then it’s a sign that you’re an over planner.  You are a perfectionist who might want things to go a certain way. It’s important to make space for whatever life may bring. An excessively negative response could mean that your planning has gone too far, therefore there must be room for errors or unexpected events. It should always be possible for life to take over when needed.

  • Inconsistency in work

People who enjoy planning usually have a lot of ongoing projects. You are displaying symptoms of overplanning if you abandon a project due to a minor setback or when things don’t work out as planned. It might be time to reevaluate your planning practices if you find yourself believing that everything must go according to plan or that nothing happens at all.

  • Overcompensation

When we fail to do certain tasks, we overcompensate for that failure by going above and beyond. A profound fear of failing is usually the driving force behind overcompensation. People who over-plan may feel that they must be prepared for everything in detail to avoid failure or unfavorable results. They frequently over-plan because they think that the more detailed their plans are, the less probable something will go wrong.

  • Discomfort with flexibility

These people are often not comfortable with change or flexibility. They want things to go a certain way and need a complete plan to carry out the process. They are quite rigid and can often miss out on the fun. This is another sign these individuals are planners.

The negative effects of overplanning

  • Over-planning increases stress

When we are under stress, our bodies react negatively. Stress is abnormal and, in certain situations, can be disastrous. This is demonstrated by the rise in cortisol levels in the circulation, androgen-induced breakouts, hair loss, libido abnormalities, and other unpleasant symptoms. Dream relaxation is much more. It’s actually that easy. 

Include a 10-minute daily activity for free thinking. Engage in activities that reduce physical tension and enhance the body’s capacity for manifestation, whether it be through guided meditation or literal daydreaming. Then observe the growth of your manifestation power.

  • Over-planning can lead to overthinking.

Overplanning can often lead you to go overboard while planning for events. After going too far, you discovered that your excessive planning had caused you to lose sight of the main objective, which was to enjoy life. The dream itself is neglected when we focus all of our attention on planning. This sets off a vicious cycle in which our over-planning and overthinking make us helpless and completely enslaved to our busy bodies and minds. 

Practice meditation to combat overthinking. Turning off the brain and allowing it to automatically align with our desires is the key to attaining clarity and focus. By doing this, we can receive assistance from the universe. 

How to stop overplanning?

  • Be mindful of the time you spend overplanning. Check the number of hours you spend per week. Slowly try to slow those numbers down as you proceed with things.

  • No one is advocating for a total stop, but you should spend less time planning and more time in the now. Establish due dates so you don’t miss out on initiatives because something didn’t work out.

  • Instead of having everything explained in detail in front of you, live in the now and allow some things to happen organically. Be there.

  • Most individuals over-plan because they want to be perfect, but nobody is flawless. We are all human, so accept that you will make mistakes.

Conclusion:

A lot of moderation is required with planning. Build realistic goals for planning that can be achieved without triggering anxiety or stress. Focus on things you can achieve while enjoying the process as well. Prioritize the work accordingly so as not to create anything without worrying about things. 

God bless

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