How to Stop Overthinking and Practice Heart-Centered Leadership
- Tosca DiMatteo
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Have you ever found yourself caught in endless cycles of overthinking, planning, and trying to figure out every problem in your head? You’re not alone. In episode 76 of The Unlock Lab, I explore how we learned to navigate life by leading with our minds, believing it’s the most efficient and productive way forward. After years of living this way, you can miss that there’s another path, one that brings you closer to ease, clarity, and genuine connection.
Why We Retreat to Our Heads
For much of my life, I defaulted to operating from my headspace. Early experiences of bullying and feeling different taught me to protect myself by staying busy and solving problems rather than feeling heartbroken. This habit followed me into adulthood and my career, leaving me stuck in overdoing, perfectionism, and the trap of constant decision making.
Reflect on your own life: When did living in your head begin for you? What life experience created this pattern for self-protection?
Recognizing Headspace Habits
The signs are often subtle but persistent. Operating from your head can look like:
Overplanning every detail, obsessing about outcomes
Struggling with indecision or never feeling “done”
Feeling tired, burnt out, or demotivated
Focusing too much on what you “should” do, ignoring what you truly want
Passing the Baton: A Simple Shift
After years of living in my head, I developed a grounding phrase for myself: “pass the baton from my head to my heart.” Sometimes this means closing my eyes, stepping away from the computer, going for a walk, or simply pausing to check in with my body and feelings. It’s a gentle reminder that intuition and emotion deserve space in daily operating as well as decision making modes.
When you notice yourself stuck in mental loops, ask:
Am I doing what I truly want, or just what I think I should?
What is my body feeling right now?
What becomes possible if I slow down right now?
Tools for Heart Centered Living
This transition is ongoing and it takes deliberate practice. Here are rituals and strategies I use (and recommend):
Yoga or mindful movement to connect body and emotion
Journaling to release thought spirals and discover what’s really going on inside
Daily moments for stillness, presence, and breathing
Getting outdoors and unplugging from distractions to anchor in the present
Research shows our bodies often sense things before our minds catch up. By honoring feelings and intuition, we allow ourselves to live more authentically and compassionately.
Why It Matters This Season
As the holidays approach with their rush and pressure, there’s no better time to begin or renew this work. Passing the baton from your head to your heart isn’t about ignoring problems, it’s about opening space for self-compassion, presence, and more meaningful connections. If this process feels new or challenging, know you’re not alone. Reach out for support, connect, and offer yourself kindness as you journey inward.
If you’re ready to move beyond overthinking and start living and leading from a more heart-centered space, I invite you to reach out and schedule a call with me here. Together, we can explore strategies to help you pass the baton from your head to your heart, and unlock the clarity and ease you deserve.
Listen to the full episode to move from overthinking to living with more ease, intuition and authentic connection.
