alt Hacker NewsImagination is unique to humans (more than reason) and it is a blessing as much as a burden. The unfocused mind is filled with noise, and most of that noise is alternate timelines, paths not taken, what the OP calls "optionality". Meditation is the only thing that helps - relentlessly be in the present moment, on your cushion, taking a breath. The present is the only time in which you're getting actually new information - memory is rehashing old input, and imagination is anticipating new input.
My unfocused mind tends to be completely empty. For example, when I'm just looking out the window and think of absolutely nothing. Though, for some reason whenever I tell people I think nothing they think I just don't want to tell them about it.
Isn't it exhausting to always think about stuff?