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Julia Neves Picture this: you’ve just been tasked with putting together the back-end tech stack for a new web application. You spend hours researching the best options, but quickly run into an issue — there are simply too many choices.
You could go with a tried-and-true technology like PHP, or branch out and try something new like Node.js. Do you choose a framework like Laravel or Ruby on Rails? What about database options — MySQL, MongoDB, Cassandra? The list goes on and on.
Sound familiar? If you’ve ever experienced analysis paralysis, you know just how frustrating it can be. You become so bogged down in making the perfect decision that you never actually make a decision at all. This can lead to missed opportunities and even project failures.
In this article, we’ll discuss what analysis paralysis is, why it happens, and how to overcome it. Let’s dig in.
Analysis paralysis: what it is, and where it happens
Analysis paralysis is a broad term for the feeling you get when you can’t make a decision. It’s a combination of ‘analysis’ (because you’re analyzing the options) and ‘paralysis’ (because you can’t move forward). Often, analysis paralysis is a precursor to procrastination, as the inability to make a decision can lead to putting things off.
Analysis paralysis can happen in a number of situations:
At work
If you are in a position of leadership in your workplace, you may be called upon frequently to make decisions that can have a big impact on your team or company. It can be paralyzing to think about making the wrong decision, and many people in leadership roles struggle with decision-making anxiety.
For example, you might be asked to decide whether to invest in a new project, terminate an employee, or make a change to company policy. In each of these cases, there are pros and cons to consider, and you may feel like you can’t make a decision because you don’t know what the right answer is.
In your personal life
You may also experience analysis paralysis in your personal life. We all face thousands of decisions in our personal lives every day, both small and large — so we’re bound to feel overwhelmed at times.
If you’ve ever agonized over whom to invite to a social event, for instance, or what to wear, you’ve experienced analysis paralysis. Other common examples include choosing a major in college, deciding whether to move or stay put, and figuring out what to do about a problem in your relationship.
In your finances
Analysis paralysis is also a common culprit when it comes to financial problems. If you have a lot of debt, for example, it can be paralyzing to try and figure out how to pay it off. Or if you’re considering investing in the stock market, there are so many variables to consider that it’s easy to get stuck in a loop of analysis.
Financial decisions are incredibly high stakes, too, which makes them that much more daunting. It’s easy to convince yourself that you’re not ready to make a decision, or that you need more information before you can act.
In health and fitness
Have you ever decided to get fit or lose weight? You start scrolling the internet for some sound advice, only to find that there are thousands upon thousands of articles, all with different opinions. Suddenly, you can’t make a decision about what to eat or how to work out, and you’re stuck in analysis paralysis.
This happens frequently in the health and fitness world because there’s so much information out there — and it’s constantly changing. It’s hard to know where to start, let alone stay motivated when you’re trying to make a big change.
In mental health
Finally, analysis paralysis can also be a direct or indirect result of mental health problems. If you’re struggling with depression, for example, it can be hard to make decisions about anything, big or small.
And if you’re living with an anxiety disorder, every decision can feel like a huge undertaking. You may worry endlessly about the consequences of your choices, or feel like you can’t make a decision because you’re not sure what the right answer is.
If any of these situations feel familiar to you, know that you’re not alone. Analysis paralysis is a common experience, and there are ways to overcome it.
How does analysis paralysis work?
Believe it or not, analysis paralysis isn’t caused by poor decision-marking skills. Psychology gives one clear reason for why people can get stuck in analysis: fear. With every decision we make, we risk making a mistake. And for some people, the fear of making a mistake paralyzes them from making any decision at all.
In fact, sometimes it’s not even the fear of making a mistake that keeps us stuck in analysis paralysis, but rather the fear of success. For example, if you’re considering a new business venture, the fear of succeeding may be so great that it keeps you from taking any action at all.
Of course, there are other factors that contribute — like dissonance, cognitive biases, and herd mentality — but fear is the number one reason why people can get stuck in analysis paralysis. Here’s how it works:
1. We become aware of a problem or opportunity. This might be something small, like what to eat for breakfast, but usually it’s something more significant in cases of analysis paralysis.
2. We begin to think about the problem or opportunity and all of the possible ways we could address it. Our minds begin running through each option, weighing the pros and cons of each.
3. We get overwhelmed by all of the options and can’t decide on anything. This is where the paralysis sets in — we’re so bogged down by all the choices that we can’t make a decision.
4. We do nothing and the problem or opportunity remains unresolved. Not only do we not make a decision, but the problem or opportunity actually gets worse over time.
As you can see, analysis paralysis is a real problem. It can keep us from making decisions that could improve our lives, and it can even cause problems to get worse. But there are ways to beat it.
How to conquer your analysis paralysis
If you can relate to any of the topics outlined in this article, you’re bound to be frustrated with yourself at one time or another because of your inability to take action. The good news is that it’s possible to overcome this common barrier to productivity and get more done.
Let’s take a look at some effective and tangible ways to beat analysis paralysis and take meaningful steps forward.
1. Get to the root of the problem.
Before taking any actionable steps, it is so crucial to identify the problem and understand why you’re experiencing paralysis in the first place. Are you feeling overwhelmed by a project? Is there too much uncertainty or risk involved? Or do you feel like you don’t have the necessary skills or knowledge to get started?
Take a few minutes to brainstorm. If you need a few prompts, try to answer the following questions:
- What is the specific task or project that’s causing you to feel paralyzed?
- Is said task causing you to feel fearful, anxious, or uncertain?
- Do you feel like you need more information or training before getting started?
- What are some potential solutions to these identified roadblocks?
Once you have a better understanding of the root of the problem, it will be much easier to take steps to overcome it.
2. Face the alternative.
This is one of the most pivotal things you can do when faced with analysis paralysis. What is the alternative, if you succumb to paralysis and don’t take any action at all? In most cases, the alternative is a lot worse.
For example, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by a project, the alternative may be to let it fester and become even more daunting over time. Imagine how it will feel if you fail to complete a project, or if you have to stay up all night to finish it at the last minute.
If you’re feeling anxious or uncertain about a task, try to focus on the potential consequences of not completing it. What could happen if you don’t take any action at all? How might your life be different if you don’t overcome this obstacle?
These aren’t easy questions to answer, but they can be very effective in helping you to push through your paralysis.
3. Break the task down into smaller pieces.
Once you’re aware of the issue and its consequences, it’s time to start taking action. One great way to do this is by breaking the task down into smaller pieces.
Let’s use the example of a work project — you are tasked with refreshing the company website. You’re experiencing paralysis because you are worried about choosing the wrong color scheme or writing unsatisfactory copy.
Here’s how you might break it down:
- Make a list of potential ideas for the website and narrow them down.
- Create a wireframe or prototype of the website.
- Design the aesthetics of the website.
- Write the copy for the website.
- Create a list of webpages and populate them with content.
- Upload the website to a server.
This is a lot less daunting than one giant task, and it can be very helpful to see the project broken down in this way.
4. Use timeboxing.
Often, we get stuck at the beginning of a project because we can’t decide which task to do first. Which will take the most time? Do I have enough time to finish everything? What if I make a mistake?
These are all valid concerns, but they can be paralyzing. Timeboxing is a technique that can help you to overcome them.
The basic premise is simple: you allocate a specific amount of time for each task, and once the time is up, you move on to the next task. This can be a great way to push through analysis paralysis because it removes the pressure of making a perfect decision.
5. Practice self-compassion.
It’s natural to feel frustrated with ourselves when we experience paralysis, but this often only serves to compound the problem. Instead, try to be gentle and forgiving.
Remember that everyone experiences paralysis at times, and it’s not indicative of your worth as a person. Beating yourself up will only make it harder to take action in the future.
6. Seek out support.
Finally, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. This could be in the form of a friend, family member, or therapist. Sometimes, it’s helpful to talk through your feelings and get some additional perspective.
There is no shame in seeking assistance when you need it — in fact, it shows strength and courage.
Final thoughts
If you are battling analysis paralysis, you aren’t alone. We all struggle with it at times; it’s a natural part of the learning process. However, there’s no doubt that it can be extremely frustrating and debilitating.
We hope this article has given you some ideas on how to overcome analysis paralysis and start getting things done. Remember, it’s not about perfection; it’s about progress. So take that first step, and then keep moving forward.