Here is something that feels backwards at first: moving fast and trusting your gut often produces better results than overthinking.

When you overthink, you are usually not trying to get the right answer. You are trying to make sure nothing goes wrong. That is a huge difference.

Real proof of this: on practice tests, going with gut instinct produced scores in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. On the actual exam, overthinking caused scores to drop. The diligence was the problem.

How do you build the muscle of moving fast?

• Take reps — try things, risk looking silly, do it again
• Ask the harder question — not "will anyone complain?" but "what does the right experience look like?"
• Separate excellence from self-protection — high standards are great, but not when they are really just about how things reflect on you