5 Ways to Overcome Analysis Paralysis
Preventative measures, reminders, and mindset shifts from experience
Abstract
Looking at the year ahead is like a blank canvas.
We create an expectation for what it has in store for us by connecting the dots between our current responsibilities and the aspirations we plan to work towards.
There are a variety of possibilities and this poses the question as to what we should focus on, which brought me to the topic of analysis paralysis.
Having many choices to make or making crucial choices can be overwhelming and hence it is important to remember that we cannot predict our futures - we can only guide them.
This thought piece therefore looks at the experience of analysis paralysis and its effects on how we create plans of action for the future.
Discussion
What is Analysis Paralysis?
Looking at analysis paralysis picks up where we left of with the theme of fear.
We looked at fear and its impacts on our mindset in the previous post and the importance of overcoming it to take action.
Interestingly though, we come from a different angle in this post where fear is not predominantly situated in getting started, but rather in making the right choices.
At the root of this may be:
Perfectionism; feeling the need to make the perfect choice;
Imposter syndrome; feeling we are unqualified to make the ‘right’ choice;
Having too many options.
These can all paralyse us and prevent us from making a decision, and unknowingly we will have made the choice to not take action and remain sedentary.
Now when looking at the definitions, what I picked up were the commonalties of overthinking and as a result becoming overwhelmed.
Verywell Mind puts the definition simply:
“Analysis paralysis refers to overthinking a problem to the point that it becomes more difficult to make a decision. It often happens when people are overwhelmed by their choices or have too much information to sort through before they make a choice.”
I had an issue with this though.
Despite this definition being one of the most concise I came across, the use of “problem” didn’t sit right with me.
Does it really have to be a problem?
This may be nit-picking, but for us I think its key to see that a situation can only become a problem if we frame it in such a way. In other words, we problematise it.
Problem connotes having to face something unwanted rather than working alongside it, and in my view, ironically that is where the problem starts.
When I have experienced analysis paralysis, it has been because of me perceiving a choice to have fixed variables, it being something I am facing meaning that the situation offers no compromise.
Ultimately, this gives power to the situation and the idea of ‘all or nothing’ thinking; a way of thinking that causes us to see the world in extremes and absolutes.
To prevent yourself from falling into this binary thinking pattern, you should take a step back and strategise on the foundations of purpose.
Why are you doing this task?
How have you ended up with having to make this choice?
What advice would you give to someone else if they were in the same position as you?
When putting this into the context of planning for the year ahead, it is key to remember that you don’t need to have everything figured out now.
If anything, in my opinion you can only plan the future you can foresee, otherwise you risk making remote plans that are flawed in the assumption that the future is in your control.
Generally, no matter the date, a year presents many opportunities and consequently decisions that will have to be made but cannot be until the opportunities arise.
This ties back to my post on goals where I highlight the importance of direction.
I mention that I had two main goals at the time, and whilst the overarching aims remain the same, as time has gone on, with experimentation and new experiences, these goals have become more refined and focused.
The goals I have are inextricably linked with purpose, so my guess is that although they will change in the future, the ‘why’ will remain the same and just be exercised in a different context.
So when I looked at ways to overcome analysis paralysis to write this post, I realised the underlying theme of purpose and its role in intention.
Now we will look at how all of this relates back to you.
5 ways you can overcome analysis paralysis
Each solution is grounded in my experience, where I invite you to reflect on how these solutions would apply to you and whether they will differ based on your circumstances.
Streamline your days
Streamlining comes back to having a framework, one in which the parameters you work in are ones that you have created.
Therefore, considerations on whether you are going in the right direction wouldn’t come to epiphanies or sudden realisations, which from my view are at the root of experiencing analysis paralysis.
I have to recommend my posts on making a perfect day and routine, each of which provide insight into how less decisions can make you more productive.
After having read these posts, I can assure you that you will a fresh perspective on the role of routine in your day-to-day and why having one can be the backbone for your perfect day.
Create a bottleneck for your possibilities
Catchy title I know.
I had to find a way to condense this thought as its very much my original way of dealing with situations that have a lot going on or are high stakes.
To prevent being overwhelmed with information, deal with the most important factors or decisions that have to be made in a scenario before looking into finer details, this way you take a stance rather than remaining stranded between options.
I say this because it opens you up to challenge, and enables us to properly understand the situations we find ourselves in via reflection.
Would you rather be proven wrong by someone else or yourself?
The idea behind opening yourself up to challenge is that you challenge the preconceived notions based on elements that create a high-level view of the situation.
Now you question these notions:
How do the finer details affect or even change that notion?
Would you act differently?
Be Decisive
Allow your approach to a situation to assure you that you are making the right decision.
Even with uncertainty, being thorough and iterative with your plans of action provides clarity on the progress you are making and the direction you’re headed.
Set your own targets and deadlines
The overwhelm and overthinking as a result of analysis paralysis is based on the external pressure caused by how we have framed a situation.
We need to look within ourselves and define a situation in our own terms, which links to my point on stepping back.
Your target provides you direction, motivation, and an agenda behind the approach you take.
This way you remain grounded in achieving what you set out to do.
Setting your own deadlines allows you to not overcomplicate things and ensure that your priorities are getting the effort and attention you hope for.
Together, targets and deadlines provide an inclination and incentive to act and start before you ‘feel’ ready.
That way you gain a fuller picture of what approach works for you.
Get it off your mind
When you are aware that you’re overthinking, sometimes stepping back can feel near impossible.
Sharing the circumstances you find yourself in forces you to synthesise your thinking in a clear and articulate way and alongside this, you may obtain guidance from the person you share to.
Whether its validation, additional questions, or just an outright rejection of ideas, this can clear the smoke caused by our overthinking.
Conclusion
When you analyse a situation retrospectively, you may realise that making a choice wasn’t as hard as you made it out to be.
Analysis paralysis can look different from person to person and it’s something that just happens.
We can get stuck in a rut and see no way out, and that’s fine…
It’s a common experience.
It could be a case of perfectionism and not wanting to take the next step when the direction has already been established, or you may be at a crossroads of what to do when faced with numerous possibilities.
This is present in work, student, and personal life - something I’ve experienced.
Feeling the need to commit leads to fear of making the wrong choice, but inaction means there are more choices to make.
Decisions become easier with fewer possibilities and the solutions I’ve shared are ways in which you can narrow them down through awareness of yourself.
Which one resonates with you the most?
P.S.
How do you deal with analysis paralysis?
This is such an insightful take on analysis paralysis Malick. It’s so true that the fear of making the “wrong” choice can be more paralyzing than the choice itself. I really love the idea of streamlining decisions and creating a bottleneck for possibilities—it makes so much sense to focus on the most important factors first. What has been the most effective strategy for you personally when overcoming analysis paralysis?
I like to set my own targets and deadlines :)