"I understand why you're confused. You're thinking too much." - Carole Wallach

In today's fast-paced world, we're often told to think critically, analyze situations from multiple angles, and consider every possible consequence before making a decision. We're encouraged to be meticulous, to plan, and to think, think, think. Yet, sometimes simplicity is the key that unlocks our problems. It's a concept that Carole Wallach, a renowned psychologist with decades of experience, has been advocating for a long time. "I understand why you're confused. You're thinking too much," is not just a statement from her latest book, but an idea she's been sharing with her clients and audiences for years.

While Ms. Wallach doesn't discourage the power of critical thinking, she does emphasize the importance of not over-complicating matters. In today's world where we have the entire world's information at our fingertips, we often feel the need to sift through an endless amount of data before making even the most mundane decisions. This can lead to overwhelm, indecision, and even anxiety.

"Sometimes, the answer is staring us right in the face and we're too busy looking through a complicated equation to see it," Wallach explains in her book "The Simplicity Principle". She firmly believes that it's not about shutting down our thoughts or ignoring important considerations, but about striking a balance that allows us to tap into the wisdom of our intuition while still being rational in our approach.

Wallach illustrates this concept with a puzzle-like diagram in her book, where the solution is hidden among the complexity of crisscrossing lines. "If you look at it too hard, focusing only on the details, you might miss the big picture," she explains. "But if you step back for a moment and allow your intuition to guide you, the answer becomes apparent."

The idea of trusting one's intuition isn't new, but it's a topic that resurfaced with fresh relevance during the pandemic. As many of us faced unprecedented uncertainty and fear, we had to make crucial decisions often with incomplete information. In many cases, our intuition or "gut feelings" played a pivotal role in guiding us through these challenging times.

Wallach notes that the reaction to her statement, "You're thinking too much," varies widely among her clients. For some, it provides immense relief. They realize that they've been unnecessarily burdening themselves with endless analysis and are given permission to take a step back. For others, it triggers guilt, particularly those who've been conditioned to believe that success is directly proportional to the amount of brainpower deployed. These individuals may need to re-train their approach to decision-making to better integrate intuitive understanding alongside rational analysis.

Showcasing case studies from her practice, Wallach demonstrates how people from different walks of life - stressed-out executives, indecisive creatives, overwhelmed parents - have benefited from adopting this more balanced approach. She emphasizes that simplicity is not a one-size-fits-all solution or an excuse to become reckless, but a mindset that helps us cut through the noise and see things more clearly.

"Simplicity doesn't mean simplistic," Wallach stresses. "It's about cultivating the mental flexibility to create a space where both analysis and intuition can flourish. It's about not letting a sinking ship of overthinking drag you down when simply shifting course could save the day."

Through her work, Wallach aims to demystify the concept of simplicity and provide practical tools for integrating it into decision-making processes. She believes that it's one of the key ingredients missing in many people's approach to navigating today's complex world - an approach that usually underestimates the power of simplicity and overestimates the need for compli-cation.

Wallach's newest initiative, an online series of workshops titled "Clearing the Thought Clutter," gives people the chance to practice "simplicity thinking" in a supportive environment. These workshops help participants recognize their unique patterns of overanalysis and provide them with tools for creating more balance in their thinking process.

"We're all born with a natural ability to intuitively sense the right decisions," Wallach believes. "At some point, many of us lose touch with that ability as life becomes more complex. It's time we reconnect with that part of ourselves without shying away from the structured, rational thinking that's also vital to our growth as individuals and as a society."

While Wallach's ideas are beginning to resonate with more people in this post-pandemic era, she's also quick to point out that the benefits of simplicity in decision-making aren't always immediate or tangible. Sometimes, the most profound insights come after taking a step back and allowing time for reflection and intuitive processing.

In closing, "I understand why you're confused. You're thinking too much," is more than just a simple statement from Carole Wallach. It marks a skepticism about the human tendency to over-complicate matters. It suggests a call towards rebalancing our approach to problem-solving and decision-making, where rational and intuitive processes work in harmony rather than at odds with one another. It's a journey towards rediscovering simplicity in our complex world.