They’ve succeeded in other areas of life. They’ve overcome challenges, solved problems, and reached important goals.
So they ask:
“Why can’t I figure this out?”
Part of the answer is this:
Highly capable people often have strong imaginations and powerful thinking abilities. They can anticipate multiple outcomes, consider every contingency, and analyze situations in depth.
But when it comes to anxiety, that strength can work against them.
Instead of one anxious thought, they generate many—layering possibilities until the situation feels overwhelming.
And then they try to solve it the same way they solve everything else:
- By thinking harder
- Pushing through
- Trying to control the outcome
- Avoiding what feels uncomfortable
Unfortunately, those strategies often make anxiety worse.
Because anxiety doesn’t respond well to overthinking or force.
It requires a different set of skills.
At Stoa Life, we focus on helping clients develop those psychological tools—so they can respond to anxiety more effectively rather than intensifying it.
And interestingly, highly capable individuals often progress quickly once they have the right approach.
Not because they need more effort.
But because they finally have the right method.
The best to you.