Reader, Have you ever set out to take one small step—just a simple task to move your goal forward—and suddenly found yourself deep in research about an entirely different thing?
That was me a few weeks ago. I sat down to write a simple piece of content.
Just one post. A short, three-step “how to take the next step toward your goal” kind of thing. Easy. Clear. Purposeful.
But then a little voice whispered,
“Shouldn’t you make sure this aligns with your brand?”
That voice, I now realize, was probably the White Rabbit—checking his pocket watch and muttering, “You’re late for your rebrand!”
I followed him.
Next thing I knew, I had tumbled headfirst into a rabbit hole of research. Not a cute little Pinterest spiral. A full-on Wonderland detour. One moment I’m drafting a caption, the next I’m Googling brand archetypes, questioning my entire message, and trying to figure out if I should start a new podcast, rename my business, and get new brand photos taken in a field of wildflowers.
I wish I were exaggerating.
The post? Forgotten.
My brain? In full Mad Hatter mode.
My time? Gone. Along with any sense of focus I had going in.
At one point I swear I saw the Cheshire Cat grinning at me from a Canva template.
Here’s the thing:
It all started from a good place. I wanted to be thoughtful. Professional. Strategic.
But sometimes, in our effort to “do it right,” we end up doing… absolutely nothing.
Here’s the thing: research and thoughtfulness are good—but they can also become procrastination in disguise. Especially for those of us who want to do things well (hello, Enneagram 1s, 3s and 9s... and anyone with perfectionist tendencies).
So, how do you know when you’re not researching anymore—you’re spiraling?
🌀 3 Signs You’ve Gone Down a Rabbit Hole:
- The task has multiplied.
What was a 20-minute job is now a 4-hour research project with 12 open tabs and a new ClickUp board.
- You’re solving problems you didn’t even have.
Suddenly you're questioning your logo, business model, or life purpose—when really, you just needed to write an email.
- You’re more anxious than before.
Instead of feeling clear or empowered, you feel overwhelmed, second-guessing everything.
🗺️ 3 Ways to Find Your Way Out:
- Pause & Name It.
Say it out loud: “I’m in a rabbit hole.” (Seriously. Awareness is powerful.)
- Go Back to the Original Task.
Write it down: What did I originally sit down to do?
Then ask, What’s the simplest next step I can take toward it—today?
- Set a 20-Minute Timer.
Give yourself a short window to work only on the original thing. Done is better than perfect. (And probably more helpful, too.)
Finding Your Way Out
Here’s what I’ve learned—your way out of Wonderland might not look like mine.
We each have different patterns and tendencies. Some of us get stuck in perfectionism. Others spiral into possibility overload. The key is knowing what helps you come back to focus.
So here are a few questions to ask yourself the next time you find you’re chasing white rabbits instead of writing the blog post:
- What’s one small, clear action I can take in the next 10 minutes?
- Am I creating clarity or avoiding action?
- What kind of support would help me get this done with less stress?
You don’t need to rebrand your life every time you try to make a move.
You just need to move—imperfectly, intentionally, and maybe with a few breadcrumbs to find your way back.
Try This:
Think of a time recently when you started with a good intention… and ended up in an entirely different direction.
Ask yourself:
- What was I originally trying to do?
- What thought or fear pulled me off course?
- What helps me re-center and move forward—my way?
Note to Self: What I'm Learning
As I get older—or honestly, just more stretched—I’ve learned one very important thing: check your calendar every single morning.
Not because I’m not responsible. Not because I didn’t already write things down. But because... life happens. Appointments move. People reschedule. And my brain? Well, it’s just not as sticky as it used to be.
Research shows that when we’re overwhelmed or under stress (aka: adulting), our brains don’t encode short-term details as effectively. That means we might think we’ll “remember it,” but we actually won’t—unless we give our brain a little backup.
And that backup?
Your calendar. Your planner. Your reminder app. That sticky note on the bathroom mirror.
Whatever tool works for you—use it. Use it like your peace depends on it.
Because honestly? It kind of does.
And if you're the kind of person who thinks, "Well, I usually remember..." — same. Until I didn't.
Productivity Hack: Quick Capture Station
Create a “Quick Capture” spot—one place (physical or digital) where all your random thoughts, tasks, and to-dos go immediately.
- A sticky note pad by your computer
- A dedicated “Inbox” note in your phone
- A whiteboard in the kitchen
Instead of opening five tabs or getting lost in your inbox, jot the idea down and move on. Then review and sort it once a day.
🕒 Saves time by:
Stopping task-switching, reducing mental clutter, and keeping your focus on what you’re actually doing.
Your rabbit hole might look different than mine.
Your way back might, too.
But that’s the beauty of this work—it’s not about one perfect path. It’s about your right next step.
If you've seen the Cheshire Cat in your workflow lately... you're not alone. 🐱
I’d love to hear what helps you climb out of your own rabbit holes—and what you’re learning along the way.
May your to-do list shrink and your sanity stay intact,
Terrie
P.S.
If you’ve been spinning in circles trying to do it right (or just need a clearer path forward), I’ve got a few coaching spots open this month. Want to talk it through? Book a free call —no pressure, just a conversation to see what’s possible.
Let’s find your next step (without the rabbit hole). 🐇✨
