Analysis paralysis… it has a catchy ring to it when you say it, but experiencing it doesn’t have the same appeal. Analysis paralysis or paralysis by analysis is the state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome. I think I might be experiencing a bit of analysis paralysis now as I write this blog post. It’s ironic that I am overthinking this post so much to the extent that it has taken me an unusual amount of time to write it.
I’ve only recently become familiar with what analysis paralysis is and how it effects people. I’m actually quite thankful to have been introduced to the concept, and here’s why. There are so many projects I need to complete at home. I literally have something I need to either repair or replace in every room. I’ve noticed that something stops me in my tracks every time I get ready to start one of the projects. From my experience, I know that my inability to complete the tasks is not a side effect of depression. In fact, I feel great every time I get ready to start. I start because I feel motivated. And then, all of a sudden…nothing. I literally can’t bring myself to move forward. Where should I start? How am I going to get the materials I need to make the repair? Am I going to be able to afford this project? Will I be able to find someone to help me? How long is it going to take? Where can I find directions or best practices? Listen, after I go through all of that thinking, I just throw in the towel and give up before I even start. I can now attach the inability to complete those projects to analysis paralysis. And, now that I know what the problem is, I can address it.
I just started researching the topic. So far I have found a few scholarly conversations about analysis paralysis as well as several blog posts. I am excited to learn more information and to share my discoveries with you. With that said, I can’t speak to you as to how to address analysis paralysis at this time because I haven’t yet mastered it myself.
Maybe you suffer from analysis paralysis. If so, let’s see if we can work together to find strategies to overcome it. I am going to start by reading a few articles such as How to Overcome the Analysis Paralysis of Decision Making, as well as 9 Tips to Avoid Paralysis by Analysis. I invite you to join me as I learn as much as I can about the subject. Please feel free to share what you learn (or what you might already know) about analysis paralysis with the I Press On blog community. I hope to share my findings with you later, especially when it comes to the connections between depression and analysis paralysis.
It’s refreshing to know that depression might not be at the root of all of your issues. Not being able to complete a task doesn’t mean you aren’t managing your depression. It could be an altogether different situation such as analysis paralysis. Let’s keep learning more about our behaviors and how we can be the best person we can be. And as always, let’s press on together!