What is Analysis Paralysis?

Analysis Paralysis Definition

Making the right decision in every matter is very important and that is why taking your time before making any decision is an essential part of the process of decision making. But most of the time, many people find it very difficult to arrive at a conclusion in any decision-making issue hence they spend too much time trying to critically analyze the decision and probably end up not making any at all – this situation is called ANALYSIS PARALYSIS.

Analysis paralysis is a state where an individual spends much time and attention in the evaluation and examination of many ideas and points that one ends up not deciding on anything. Analysis paralysis is caused by many factors such as

1.) When one has many options to pick from

2.) When one has much information about a particular topic (and the information are most times contradicting)

3.) When one feels compelled to make the most appropriate decision

4.) When one is so afraid of making the wrong decision. And we face analysis paralysis on so many occasions such as; making decisions in the office, making decisions in the business and in our everyday life including making decisions in our families down to making the decision about what to eat. This state (analysis paralysis) has caused so much damage and made a lot of people not accomplish as much as they had wanted. This control and total elimination of this state are the best if one must accomplish much in life; and here are the best ways to overcome and stop analysis paralysis.

How to Overcome and Stop Analysis Paralysis

Set Your Priority

The idea is that when you set your priorities, you are better focused. Setting your priorities in your decision making will help you understand what is more important and which is less important. All the decisions you have to make at a particular time can never be of equal importance to you or have the same impact or effect on you and so you have to distinguish between big and small decisions (more important and less important decisions). To understand and determine this, you might start by asking yourself questions like; how important is this decision, what is the impact of the decision, how long or how far will its effect last, Will its outcome affect the next immediate stage of the product development, What could go wrong based on the decision I would make etc When you are able to ask and answer this question, you will gain a clear understanding of how to make your decision.

Capitalize on Your Goal and Objectives While Making Your Decision

In order to overcome analysis paralysis, you have to make sure that you make every decision in accordance with your objective. People often find it hard to arrive at a conclusion while making their decision because they don’t really know why they have to make the decision but if the decision is objective oriented, it will be easier to make a better decision.

Make the Big Decisions into Small Decisions

First you have to analyse and differentiate what is a big decision and what is a small decision. Then you have to split the big decision into a set of smaller decisions which helps you to make progress easily and also make you free from your paralysis of trying to take a big decision and the difficulty of implementing it. 

Identify Your Objectives

Every decision will have its pros and cons. If you are not clear about your objective, you cannot come to a meaningful conclusion or you cannot make the right decision. Evaluate your decision based on your objectives.

Do Not Always Focus on Perfection

Life is full of its own pros and cons and so is every decision that is made in life; unless in a situation of a lifelong effect of your decision or it is a lively affair decision, perfection should not be what you are looking for. Most of the time just a “good” decision is okay and not always the “perfect” one. When you are bent on making the perfect decision, in any case, you might end up not making any at all.

Stop Overthinking

Overthinking kills your creativity and makes your performance low. Overthinking makes it harder to think about the right decision.

Limit the Information You Collect

Collect the information you need but do not overdo it, as it will put you in trouble while making decisions. Sometimes more information will confuse you and make you overthink and it will end up in paralysis. Be cautious while collecting the information to make the right decision.

Procrastinate Hard Choices

Sometimes, procrastinate hard choices to focus on the minor details. It will lead you to make the right decision in the end.

Ask for Opinions

When you are confused to take a decision, allow that situation to be handled by another trustworthy person, but be sure you know what the decision is, what the implications are in regards to consequences to your objectives, and then evaluate over time the impact of the decision.

Set a Deadline

When you work under a deadline, you are likely to make decisions faster and so to overcome analysis paralysis it is best to give yourself a deadline and stick to it.

Conclusion

In short, Analysis Paralysis could occur when a person has more available options, when a person makes it over complicated by overthinking, delaying to take a “perfect” decision, or when he/she is afraid of making wrong decisions. Follow the above mentioned tips which will help you to get rid of Analysis Paralysis.