Is Analysis Paralysis Stopping You From Taking Action?

Vincent — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:59:05 +0000

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Analysis Paralysis

Analysis paralysis is where you can’t take any action due to over thinking about the details or over planning and is one of the best “action” killer we can possibly find. Planning definitely help when we are starting a new project but it should not be to the extent that it overwhelm us and cause us to fail to make a decision and take action.

I had met this scenario before where I had a great idea but failed to do anything about it because of analysis paralysis. I did too much brain storming and planning, only to find that I never took any action to make the idea work because of the problems I thought of during my brain storming session.

Due to too many failed ideas just because I did not take any action, I decided to take the plunge and launch my blog without much planning. I did not think about how my blog would look like or even give a thought about my lack of IT skills, I just jumped in and learn everything along the way. To my surprise, this way of action works well for me for this time.

In order to help others to combat analysis paralysis, I had generated a list of 10 tips that will be able to help you overcome the problem.

7 Tips To Help Overcome Analysis Paralysis

1.Plan

You still need a plan no matter what, but this time round, over planning is not allowed. Think of what are the things that you need to know before you start and get a grasp of it. Brain storm for what would be the most painful thing to change and get more information and make a wiser decision. Be sure to know what are the things that could possibly go wrong and try to prevent it.

2.Set a Deadline For Your Planning Session

Allocate a deadline for your planning session and be strict with yourself and only spend that certain amount of time for planning. When we have a specific time slot for planning, we will have a lesser tendency to over plan.

3.Just Start

When you had finished your planning session, stop asking yourself “what if” questions. Just start doing it and learn everything that you do not know along the way.

4.Forgo Perfection

I know there is a Mr/Mrs Perfection inside you and you want to get everything perfect on the get go but it is highly not possible that everything will turn out the way you want to be in the first place. Just forget about perfection and start taking action.

5.Momentum

Once you start your project, do not stop and think too much again. Just have a list of to-do items, regardless whether it is big or small and keep on completing the task.

6.Learn To Make Decision

This is an important skill that can help to overcome analysis paralysis. By knowing how to make a faster and wiser decision, we can take action faster and get more things done. Practice your decision making skills by setting a 5 seconds rule to make your daily decision. (Exp: What beverage am I going to have? Coke or lemon tea.)

7.Find an Action Taker

Find someone who is able to take action easily. Whenever you are stuck with analysis paralysis, find them and talk to them about your problem. Most likely you will get a positive reply and get the momentum you need to get going.

Parting Words

This tips had work fine for me in helping me to take action and also to achieve results. Analysis without action does not help you to have any kind of positive results. Now you have the tips to help you overcome analysis paralysis, why don’t you go start a something that will help to enhance your life today? Stop thinking and go do it now!

Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger

**P.S**What is the one factor that always hold you back from taking action? Is it the fear of failure or the need for perfection? Share with us and see you in the comment section.

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Is Analysis Paralysis Stopping You From Taking Action?

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