How to overcome the Analysis Paralysis ?
Analysis paralysis is an anti-pattern, the state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome. Occurs when an individual becomes so lost in the process of examining and evaluating various points of data that he or she is unable to make a decision with it.
“I would describe ANALYSIS PARALYSIS as the fear of UNKNOWN.” — Believe Success
Take out a piece of paper and answer “yes” or “no” to the following questions:
1. Does the fear of not being good enough dominate your thinking?
2. Do you find yourself enjoying the planning process more than taking action?
3. Are you terrified where your decisions may lead you?
4. Do you write down goals only to abandon them within a short time?
5. Does the pain of failing feel worse than the pain of not taking action?
If you answered ‘yes’ to the majority of the questions above then I have bad news for you. You may be suffering from one of the most common afflictions known to the modern worker: analysis paralysis.
What is the root cause of ANALYSIS PARLYSIS SYNDROME?
It is our own egos.
The ego convinces us that we haven’t done enough research, or haven`t think things through enough because of one reason: it doesn’t like the unknown.
When we are about to embark on something new, our own ego senses that change is imminent. If we are not strong enough to control it, our ego will start to panic. It will come up with all sorts of ridiculous scenarios in our head in order to keep us from acting. It will have us frozen in fear until the great opportunity passes us by.
Here is a list of things that will help you fight and overcome the Analysis Paralysis Syndrome:
1. Set the timer
Give yourself a defined period of time to make a decision. Make a commitment to act by a certain date and follow through on your commitment without hesitation.
You will hear the nagging voice of your own second-guessing. Expect it. All great leaders hear that same nagging voice, yet they choose to act anyway. You can do it, too. So, determine the last possible timeframe by which a decision must either be made or removed from the decision-making table.
Give a decision only the time and effort that it deserves, based on its importance.
2. Strive for strategic simplicity
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.” Albert Einstein
Try to keep things as simple as possible, all of the time. Occam’s razor states “The simplest solution is almost always the best solution.” We often make things more complicated than they really are. Keep it simple.
3. Eliminate the Bad Options right away
Having too much options can clutter up the decision making process.
Identify the options that will definitely not meet your objectives and eliminate them right away. The ones that are left should be the considerably good ones, which then allows you to make a more pinpointed assessment.
4. Perfection doesn`t exist
We all want to be perfect. Nobody wants to face criticism. But, you have to be aware that there is no guarantee of success before you take action. You will never be ready enough, or prepared for all circumstances. Sometimes you just have to start and hope for the best. That`s just how life works. Decide today to make perfection your #1 enemy.
“Taking massive action without a guarantee of results is where champions live.”
5. Trust your instincts
What does your instinct tell you to do? What option brings you the most satisfaction and joy? What feels right? When your fear is no longer driving the decision-making process, you can trust the guidance you receive from your intuition. It is the most talented business analyst you’ll ever have at your disposal.
6. Do a mental dry run
Once you’ve decided on which path to take, mentally play out your decision exactly as you wish it to be. Imagine all the details of the outcome, including your feelings, the environment, the reactions of others, and any other positive result coming from your decision.
Mentally replay this imaginary outcome over and over again. It will make you feel confident and prepared.
7. Place a high value on the speed of implementation
When you learn something new that aligns with your goals, just go for it. We often drag out the implementation of an idea longer than necessary. Sometimes good idea just isn`t enough, time factor can also be of crucial importance.
Planning is good. Failure to plan is planning to fail. But too much can be as crippling as not enough.
If you want to overcome analysis paralysis then it helps to learn to embrace the unknown. Any outcome is far preferable to the physical, mental, and emotional price you pay when perpetually brewing in fear, doubt, and uncertainty.
Be courageous about actively experimenting and trying new things, and remember:
“The best ideas are often missed because of the shadow of our own knowledge.”
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