Analysis Paralysis- The Dream Killer

Do you know what has killed more dreams than anything else?? It is over thinking.

Before taking a start, we tend to have all the answers. Analysis paralysis is the state of over-analyzing a situation such that a decision or action is never taken. Availability of too many options makes one to seek the “perfect” solution. One fears taking an action that results in a failure.

Before taking a start, we tend to get all the answers at our disposal. It’s like before learning how to swim, you want the following answers:-

What is the chemical composition of water? H2O- Answered.

How much cold the water will be? –Unanswered.

What are the dimensions of the Pool? –Unanswered.

How much deep the pool is? –Unanswered.

You can’t have all these answers until you arrive at the pool & take a dip. But this state of not knowing all the answers to a problem makes you skeptical about going for it.

There are many reasons for not starting something:-

Unanswered Questions:

The reason most people don’t get started on something is because they are constantly afraid of not having a plan that answers all their questions. Even a trivial uncertainty is enough to send them into frenzy- so much that they are on the verge of having a heart attack. While it’s good to plan ahead, you should not get stuck at few unanswered questions. You’ll never have all the answers before commencing the journey. Leave them to be figured out while travelling. Jump on the ground, get started on the journey.

JUST DO IT!! (It’s Nike Slogan. Don’t get your hormones rushing, I’m not talking about sex!!)

The Urge for Perfection:

Some get stuck in refining their plan to perfection so much that they never execute it. The want the best of everything and never settle for anything less. But, let me ask you one thing- Should a person aspiring to be a football player never start training just because he don’t have the best studs (football shoes).

Even Messi would’ve started with makeshift or novice quality shoes. What would’ve happened had he decided not to pursue his dream of becoming a footballer?

If the road is closed, look for an alternative route. Start with what your current situation allows -low quality, makeshift shoes; Get your foot on the ground.

Safety Net:

Many fear about not having a safety net to protect them when they fall. They get the same feeling of being on top of a 100 floor building and looking down to the ground. They’ll just back off in a sudden feat of fear.

So what you don’t have a shoe to protect, play bare foot. Yes, it’ll expose you to constant beating but will make you tougher. Also the lack of a safety net will make you to stride with more vigour towards your goal.

A lion has to leave its den for hunting otherwise it’ll die. Remember the pit scene of movie “The Dark Knight”?? You’ll have to make the jump for your freedom without the safety of the rope.

Similarly, you’ll also have to take the jump without the false belief of safety from rope or any net underneath to protect in case you fall. Only then will you work harder to achieve your goal. Death is the biggest motivator of action.

Remember Steve Job’s quote:-

Not having a Time Bound Approach:

You work harder when there’s a deadline approaching as it is when you have a razor sharp focus. You stop over analysing and only work to get the things done. Same is the case with pursuing your hobby/dreams/goals. The more time you take, the lazier and out of focus you become.

Set a deadline by which you want a particular goal completed and work towards it with all your energy. The clock will get your brain and body to work.

Start Small & Over Achieve:

Why we lose interest in our dreams is that we burden ourselves with unrealistic goals. Everyone wants a perfect 8 packs in 7 days. It is impossible to achieve. We start with enthusiasm, but it vanishes in a couple of days.

The result is after 2 days, we stop going to gym, wasting our money of course. And on top of that, we start gulping more junk food than before to make up for the lost self-esteem. The result is we become the guy in left instead of becoming the guy on right we so longed for.

The solution for this is to have a big long term goal and smaller short term goals. Start small and then overachieve your goals to gain that much needed confidence.

So, to sum up:-

• Donot over analyze, Just do it.
• Look for alternative routes and not just keep waiting for the perfect route to come by.
• Don’t be afraid of trying new things just because of lack of experience or safety net.
• Remember that death is certain. So why not give your dream a try as well.
• Having a deadline to accomplish your dreams working with extra vigour and diligence.
• Dream big & set smaller short term goals. Then try to over achieve it.

So people buckle up and go for your dreams!!

May the force be with you