Think Act Be Podcast 253: Less Thinking, More Action for Greater Well-Being
Dec 10, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Joel Menden, a clinician specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy, shares insights on balancing thought and action for improved well-being. They explore how overthinking can hinder action and dive into practical strategies to break out of the rumination cycle. Using sports mechanics as an analogy, Joel emphasizes action as a pathway to motivation and cognitive change. Additionally, they discuss the importance of restructuring environments to support behavior modification and tackle unwanted habits effectively.
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Thinking Can Become A Trap
- Excessive focus on thinking can trap people in rumination and prevent meaningful action.
- Overvaluing cognitive processing creates paralysis rather than solutions.
Shelf Image Improved Bowling
- Joel used a simple visual cue in bowling — imagine placing the ball on a shelf — to correct his mechanics.
- The cue cut through negative thoughts and helped him focus on action.
Behavior Drives Cognition
- Purely behavioral treatments can produce equal or greater cognitive change than cognitive-focused ones.
- Doing exposures or behavioral activation often shifts beliefs without direct cognitive work.