Any idea who had written that? It is a great quote and thanks for sharing.

Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger

“but there comes a point when you have to just jump off the cliff and build your wings on the way down.”

I love this sentence! With this mentality, I don’t believe you need to ever read another analysis paralysis article anymore.

Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger

Well said…Bravo.

Hey Bill, it sounds like you are having a tough time with analysis paralysis. I’ve been there, and can find myself drifting back sometimes.

Especially with business planning in a new or innovative business it can be extremely difficult to get lost down the rabbit hole. Three things that might help:

1. We’ve heard it all before, but…KEEP IT SIMPLE
The best ideas are always the simplest. If you’re getting sucked into the vortex of the unknown, perhaps you are over-complicating things. At every turn ask yourself if whatever you are doing is the simplest, straightest, shortest path from A to B. The farther you stray from that line the more complicate things will get, I promise.

2. Test, test, and test again. If at all possible test your idea as much and often as you can while you are planning. Many times with a new idea no graph, article or body will have the answer. It has to be tested. Even testing on a small basis will help clarify unknowns.
3. Finally, if you’ve done your homework, and gained insight from the right people (if you can find em), then realize that if you are in uncharted territory, whomever your presenting your business plan to is following you into the deep dark cave and you have the only flashlight. Be confident, even if you don’t have all the answers (yet).

These are just a few things I’ve learned in the past, I hope they can help you.

Regards, Michael

Biggest problem: I start trying to pile up the “big rocks” and then second-guess myself: well, what’s really behind this rock? Is it big or really enormous? How do I know (if you’re trying to do something you haven’t done before, it can be difficult to seek out people who have one it before; if you’re doing something no one has done before, it’s impossible)? So I start doing analysis behind each piece I’m planning, which leads down a twisty path to dark places…

True disclosure: in my last job, I got a reputation as a poor planner because I just wanted to DO something and PLAN it out as we go. I eventually had to leave (because I was going to get fired for pissing people off). When I tried to plan it out, I got so stuck in all the blind alleys and dim corridors I never got any kind of plan out (Please note I am not suggesting that my kind and intelligent manager was anything but right in moving to fire me… I would have fired me long before she did.)

Now, I’m trying to find the “middle way” of doing enough analysis to be able to move forward confidently, but not letting the analysis rule my life.

Thanks again.

Bill