Less Thinking, More Doing: How to Combat Analysis Paralysis
According to Columbia University decision researcher Sheena Iyengar, the average American reports making 70 decisions per day. However, the decisions we make vary in investments, risks, and consequences. For brunch I might have to decide if I want to enjoy eggs benedict or huevos rancheros, and later that day pick which major I’m going to immerse myself in for the next four years.
Funnily enough, I have found myself agonizing about both of the above decisions before, and have watched many friends do the same. The biggest thing that I fear is that I’ll regret my choice, and that I’ll miss out on something better.
“The perfect is the enemy of the good.” — Voltaire
We think that cycling through our options over and over again will diminish those worries and help us land at the “right” decision. But most of the time, we just need to act. I’ve heard this called “analysis paralysis” in the past, which is an accurate way to describe the feeling.
Analysis paralysis prevents us from making progress and coming to a solution. It also can cause increased feelings of self-doubt, anxiety, and overwhelm. As a leader, it can make you seem as though you lack confidence and can’t be trusted in volatile situations.
Although this continues to be a struggle for me, I have found some key reminders that make decisions a little bit easier. Of course, some are more applicable than others based on the situation. Here are some things to remember when you’re struggling with making a decision.
Most Likely, None of Your Options Will Doom You To Failure
Let’s say you’re deciding between colleges, job opportunities, or majors. It’s a decision that you’ve gone back and forth on a lot, and there are a lot of pros to all of your options. You just can’t decide, and there is no clear answer in sight. It begins to consume you and keep you up at night.
Nervousness and anxiety can make you feel like a decision is graver than it really is. It’s a part of that fight or flight response that has stayed with us through evolution.
It’s not a trivial decision. But regardless of what you choose, you will probably be okay. Of course, there are tradeoffs in every decision, and it’s best to acknowledge them to avoid second-guessing yourself later. However, you have to remember that the universe will run its course and you will be just fine in the long run.
You Really Don’t Know Until You Try
Especially for smaller decisions, like how to attempt to solve a puzzle or test question, there is no way to know the correct answer until you try. Real experiences fill in where your brain can’t with the beauty of trial and error.
So many times you may find yourself dizzy in brainstorming, especially in team problem solving. Trying to analyze all of the possibilities can be exhausting, and can sometimes turn into a competition of who can speak the loudest or have the most creative idea. You might lose sight of what your goal really is.
Just pick something and go. It will give you data, which is better than thinking in circles. Sure, it might lead you to the wrong answer. But this will get you to the right answer faster.
Your Gut Is Normally Right
Listening to your gut doesn’t always come naturally, and it’s a muscle that you can develop over time. However, you often do have a direction that you are leaning toward and you may not even know it.
Sometimes, your gut instinct is not immediately apparent because you are so lost in analysis paralysis. Your intuition gets trapped in your busy mind. It’s also possible that you don’t want to admit to yourself that you know what you really want, for a variety of reasons.
The best way to uncover your gut feeling is to take some time to journal. Refrain from listing the pros and cons for each choice, since you’ve probably already done that. Instead, just free write for ten or so minutes. By putting your train of thought on paper, it becomes very clear what you really want to do.
Another way to discover what your gut thinks is to notice how you feel and act when you talk about your options. Does your face light up when you talk about one over the other? Do you become more animated and sit up straight? Do you find yourself frowning and speaking monotonously when describing another option?
If it’s hard to pick up on your own cues, try asking a trusted friend or family member what they think you want to choose. Be careful not to ask what they think you should do. Instead, ask them “What does it seem like I’m leaning toward?” When you hear the answer, it probably won’t surprise you.
It Feels Good To Be Decisive
Making a decision can be incredibly empowering. You will feel like you have control over the trajectory of your life. You get to choose where you direct your energy.
Being decisive is also crucial to great leadership. Your team will feel the strength of your decisiveness. The most confident leaders may still have a lot of doubt and insecurity below the surface. However, it’s better to have direction instead of wavering in uncertainty.
The consequences of inaction are worse than the consequences of making a decision. It’s no easy feat. Being on the other side does wonders for your confidence.
The Bottom Line
There are a few things that you can remind yourself when you find yourself stuck in analysis paralysis. You’re going to be okay. You don’t know until you try. Listen to your gut. It will feel amazing to just make a decision and run with it.
Making a decision should be empowering, not excruciating. Being stuck in a decision holds us in a sort of purgatory that makes us feel weak, trapped, and stagnant.
And eventually, it’ll be less thinking, more doing.
