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Have you ever felt that push to completely change your life, only to find yourself stuck on the same well-worn path? You tell yourself you want to do something different, but your mind floods with “what if” thoughts until you’re right back where you began.

In this podcast episode, I explore a technique for confronting that wall of fear. I share how our dyslexic minds can turn one small goal into a swirling ocean of worry. I also talk through a way to tear down your barriers so you can finally push forward. It’s simple, manageable and has helped me, time and again, when overwhelm creeps in.

Understanding the Big Shift

Making a massive shift is tricky for most of us. When you add dyslexia into the mix, it can become a mental tug-of-war. It’s like we want to move forward, yet our brains serve up all the possible ways it could fail. That’s enough to make anyone freeze.

If you’ve been wrestling with this, know you’re not alone. Fear has real power. It can feel enormous. But there is a way to see it for what it is: a roadblock that can be broken down and tackled piece by piece.

Why Overthinking Keeps You Stuck

Overthinking is one of those traits we dyslexics know all too well. Sometimes the smallest decisions can spiral into eight different scenarios. We end up playing them over and over like a broken record.

This mental traffic jam is sneaky. It whispers that we need more information or that we haven’t thought it through enough. Then it hands us a seatbelt and says “Better buckle up, your mind’s got some more loops to do.”

You might even start prioritising tasks that don’t really matter. Suddenly, the giant shift you wanted feels too big. So you shelve it or go into denial. There’s always a reason not to act if we let those swirling thoughts overstay.

Confronting Fear in Steps

I shared this in the podcast, but I’ll say it again: big fear doesn’t have to be tackled head-on in one mad dash. Instead, you can use tiny steps to take the edge off. It’s not about being fearless; it’s about managing the fear in a way that moves you forward.

“If you don’t handle fear, it can keep you stuck forever. The trick is to face it in small, steady steps.”

Breaking fear into small chunks can feel awkward at first. You want a grand moment of bravery, some heroic stand. But in reality, it’s those small choices each day that add up to big change. One step might be asking a friend for advice, another could be a mini-test or trial run. Each minor move chips away at that giant wall.

The Technique: Micro Shifts for Big Change

One approach I love is what I call “micro shifts.” Each shift is a deliberate, tiny action. You can handle these quickly, and each success builds confidence for the next one. The best part is you see actual progress instead of waiting for that one day where you’re magically fearless.

Let’s say you want to start a new business, but thoughts of taxes, marketing and websites loom over you. Instead of diving headfirst into everything at once, give yourself a single micro shift today. Maybe that’s emailing a mate who’s done it before. Then tomorrow, research just one area of business set-up. Small steps lead to consistent progress.

• Identify the big goal (e.g. launching a business).
• Pick one tiny action that feels easy enough to do now.
• Repeat and stack those actions until the fear loosens its grip.

Micro shifts are like training yourself to trust the process. You’re showing your mind that you can handle each piece. It stops negativity from building into a towering monster, because you never let it gather too much steam at once.

Ride Out the Initial Overwhelm

Overwhelm is like a sudden wave. It hits, you panic, then it recedes. Often, we give in right as that wave is cresting. We drop our idea and seek comfort. But if you wait just long enough, the wave passes, leaving calmer waters behind.

This is when you act. After the initial overwhelm starts to settle, you do your micro shift. You make one small move, see that it’s doable, and use that moment of relief to stay on track. Yes, doubt may creep in again. That’s natural. Keep testing your technique and remind yourself: you only need to handle the next micro shift, not the entire marathon.

When you hit an especially tough patch, it’s helpful to reconnect with why you wanted this shift in the first place. Remind yourself of the outcome you desire. Maybe it’s greater freedom, more flexibility or the excitement of building something that’s truly yours. Fear doesn’t stand a chance against a strong “why.”

Key Takeaways

• Bite-size steps keep you from drowning in overthinking.
• Dyslexia can fuel fear, but it can also spark creativity.
• Micro shifts offer a path to action without overwhelming your mind.
• Waiting out the initial wave of overwhelm makes a big difference.
• Remember your deeper “why” when fear gets loud.

These small moves may feel too simple at first, but they work. You’ll notice a sense of momentum after each mini-success. That momentum is what helps you see that fear isn’t as monstrous as it first appears. It’s just a puzzle to solve in smaller pieces.

If you’d like more about how to shift from overthinking to action and hear a few real-life examples, listen to the full podcast episode at the top of this page. The technique sounds easy, but it’s powerful when you actually press play and try it for yourself.

I hope this offers a bit of encouragement and a reminder that dyslexia doesn’t have to hold you back. Sometimes, we just need new ways to see our challenges, so we can turn them into stepping stones toward something awesome.

Ready to learn more? Tune in now and let’s keep moving forward, one small step at a time.