It took me 9 Years to Beat Overthinking, The Power of Distance and The Rule of 100 to Achieve Anything in Life

Hey there,

I just returned from an incredible vacation in Kelowna where hiking trails, kayaking adventures, and vineyard views completely reset my perspective. The most surprising part? I didn't check my work email, texts, or social media once—something I wasn't sure I could actually pull off!

This digital detox reminded me how powerful true presence can be. Now that I'm back, I'm excited to share some reflections that might help you find similar clarity, whether you're planning a getaway or simply seeking to be more present in your everyday life.

Let's dive in!

Today at a Glance

• #1. The Power of Distance, Presence, and Release

• #2. It Took Me 9 Years to Beat Overthinking. I'll …

• #3. Weekly Reminder

• #4. 😂 The path to Self Mastery

Read Time: 4 minutes

#1. The Power of Distance, Presence, and Release

1. Stepping Away from Chaos Creates Clarity

When we're immersed in our day-to-day routines, it's easy to stay stuck in patterns and reactive thinking. But when we change our environment—whether it's a trip or even a local getaway—we give ourselves permission to zoom out and see the bigger picture. I found that physically distancing myself from the familiar allowed me to think more creatively and gain fresh perspectives on both personal and professional challenges.

💡 Actionable Tip: Schedule regular "mini-getaways" from your routine—whether it's an afternoon at a park, a weekend retreat, or even a tech-free evening. Use these moments to reflect and ask: What am I not seeing from my usual vantage point?

2. Centering Connects You to the Present and Expands Possibility

One of the most profound practices I tried was centering—closing my eyes, breathing deeply, and fully connecting with my surroundings. Whether it was for 15 seconds or 15 minutes, this simple practice shifted me from stress and scarcity to a sense of abundance and calm. I realized that when I'm truly present, I stop chasing and start receiving—seeing opportunities and solutions I'd otherwise overlook.

💡 Actionable Tip: Incorporate centering into your daily routine, even for a minute or two. In a moment of stress or decision-making, pause, close your eyes, and breathe. Ask yourself: What does this space want to show me? What possibilities am I missing?

3. The Freedom of "Let Them"

Inspired by Mel Robbins' idea of "let them," I learned to release the need to control others' actions or seek their validation. During conversations with my husband, I realized how often we stress over things we can't change. By consciously choosing to let them—to let others be who they are—I felt lighter and more at peace. It's not about giving up; it's about focusing on what we can control and protecting our energy.

💡 Actionable Tip: The next time you're frustrated by someone's actions, remind yourself: Let them. Then, shift your focus to your own response and how you can maintain your peace and boundaries.

#2. It Took Me 9 Years to Beat Overthinking. I'll Tell You How in 3 Minutes…

Overthinking used to consume hours of my day and drain my mental energy. After nearly a decade of trial and error, I've distilled what actually works into five powerful techniques:

1. THE 5-5-5 TECHNIQUE

• This technique resets your nervous system in under a minute when thoughts start spiraling.

• When overthinking strikes, breathe in for 5 seconds, hold for 5, exhale for 5

• Practice this 3 times when you notice thought spirals beginning

2. SCHEDULE WORRY TIME

• This reduces random thought intrusions by 67% by giving your concerns a proper container

• Allocate 15 minutes daily as designated "worry time"

• When overthinking occurs outside this window, write the thought down and postpone

3. THOUGHT DEFUSION PRACTICE

• Label thoughts as just thoughts: "I'm having the thought that..."

• Create distance by imagining thoughts as leaves floating down a stream

• This cognitive distancing technique reduces thought intensity without fighting them

4. THE REALITY CHECK METHOD

• Ask: "Will this matter in 5 hours? 5 days? 5 years?"

• Rate worry importance on a 1-10 scale to gain perspective

• Document past overthinking episodes that never materialized to build evidence

5. PHYSICAL PATTERN INTERRUPTS

• Change your physical state through 60 seconds of jumping jacks or stretching

• Switch environments immediately when overthinking begins

• Use tactile anchors (like a rubber band on wrist) to snap back to present moment

IMPLEMENTATION BLUEPRINT: I've created a cool guide with each of these technique. Download it here to start implementing today.

#3. Weekly Reminder

I've been reflecting on this principle lately and it's completely changed how I approach skill development. We often overestimate what we can accomplish in a day, but drastically underestimate what consistent small efforts can achieve over time. 

What discipline could you dedicate just 18 minutes to daily? Writing? Meditation? Learning a language? The compound effect of this small daily investment is truly remarkable.

#4. 😂 The path to Self Mastery

Got thoughts on any of these ideas? I'd love to hear them.

Just hit reply—your input could spark a future deep dive. If there's a challenge or topic you'd like me to cover next, let me know. I read every message.

Until next week,

Zeel