How to Stop Analysis Paralysis

Has this ever happened to you? You are ready to get down to business working on a new project or task. You have all the tools you need at your fingertips. The coffee has been made and consumed. There is nothing standing in your way to get stuff done. You turn on your computer, and open a blank Word document and wait for the ideas to start flowing like a river. BUT...you guessed it nothing happens so you start to do research to get some more information for your topic or to get some inspiration flowing. Soon it is noon...your Word document is still blank and you are becoming increasingly frustrated.

Analysis Paralysis

What does this term mean? According to Wikipedia, my favorite source for definitions, 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. A decision can be treated as over-complicated, with too many detailed options, so that a choice is never made, rather than try something and change if a major problem arises. A person might be seeking the optimal or "perfect" solution upfront, and fear making any decision which could lead to erroneous results.”

Well that about sums it up for me. I had a bad case of the AP today but I found a way to move pass it by not worrying so much about creating the "perfect" outcome but just diving in and getting stuff done. Here are 4 tips you can use to get out of analysis paralysis:

1. Stop trying to be perfect it is a myth. Instead listen to what Les Brown states, "Perfection does not exist -- you can always do better and you can always grow."

2. Start where you are. Often we feel that circumstances must be optimal before we start a task or project. That is simply not true. I think the Nike motto of "Just Do It" fits nicely here.

3. Create a goal date. Sometimes we work more intensely if we know that something we are responsible for is due asap. Having that sense of urgency can fuel us across the finish line.

4. Work on something else. This one really works for me. If I am having serious AP on one project and have tried all the tricks of the trade then channeling my energy into a different area works.

I hope that your AP is fleeting but if it isn't try some of the suggestions above to get recharged. Let me know how it is going.

Be Do Have!