ANALYSIS PARALYSIS

Do you want to make changes in some area of your life but aren’t sure where to begin? Have you been researching, analyzing, and overthinking to the point you feel stuck? 

Perhaps you have been wanting to drop a few pounds and know that it would be best if you changed your diet AND you exercised AND got to bed earlier. But when you start thinking about ALL the changes you want to make - it becomes overwhelming and leads to doing NOTHING. 

Maybe you have decided to start with dieting. But what products really work? What diet gets the best results? What does the best even mean? - The fastest? The easiest? GAH! - opens bag of chips to self-soothe…

You are not alone. This phenomenon is called analysis paralysis. Analysis paralysis is the inability to make a decision due to overthinking and the overanalyzing that arises from an intense fear of making the wrong choice or searching for the perfect solution which, inevitably, leads to inaction. The result is having too many choices. 

Analysis paralysis may look like:

• Constantly seeking more information and conducting more research but never reaching a conclusion. 

• Feeling constant stress, anxiety, and overwhelm about making the wrong decision leading to the avoidance of any action at all.

• Missing out on an opportunity or missing a deadline due to overthinking.

• Feeling mentally drained due to the process of making a decision about where to begin.

So how do we stop the analysis paralysis and start making changes? 

1. Get clarity about the outcome you want to achieve. 

What is it that you want? Be specific! Start writing it out. 

For example, if you want to change professions, but you have no idea what you want to do, start by writing down what is important for you to have in the position. Drill down! Write down the questions that come up along the way. 

2. Break it down into smaller steps. 

If you are wanting to drop pounds and know you would benefit from exercise, eating right, and improving sleep hygiene. Write them all down, choose one of them, then break that down even more. 

3. Make the steps easy and sustainable.

For changing your physique, do step ups or modified jumping jacks for 5 minutes EVERY day OR eat one cup of green veggies every day OR implement a wind-down, bedtime routine. 

4. Just do it! 

Unmoor your boat and start paddling. You can modify the course as you gather information. 

5. Embrace imperfection. 

Strive to do your best, but remember that perfection is an illusion. 

6. If you are struggling to do this on your own, get support! 

Reach out to a coach, consultant, or counselor who specializes in the area where you find yourself spinning your wheels. 

Analysis paralysis is especially common for people with ADHD, anxiety, and depression. But it can also show up in people with trauma or struggling with being burned out. It can lead to physical problems such as feeling drained, insomnia, migraines, digestive issues, and more. 

Life is too short to stay stuck!