“People who think too much before they act don’t act too much.”
– Jimmy Buffet
In the “Acknowledgement” section of The Promise Wheel, I mention that my book took me close to 10 years to complete.
One reason it took me that long is that I spent a lot of time thinking about it rather than actually writing it.
What should the headings be?
What’s the best word processor for writing a book?
How can I find someone to edit my book?
What if people don’t like my book?
How will I handle a bad review?
All these questions and thoughts overwhelmed me, so I procrastinated and avoided writing altogether.
In short, I experienced what is called Analysis Paralysis, which can get the best of us whenever we feel overwhelmed by a task or situation.
Analysis Paralysis: When Your Mind and Body Feel Stuck
Analysis paralysis is not a medical term nor a psychological disorder. It’s a term used to describe what happens to a person when they feel so mentally overwhelmed that they, in a sense, feel paralyzed to do anything at all.
Most of the time, the sense of paralysis is task-specific.
That is, there is so much information to consider regarding a particular task that a person ends up avoiding the task altogether.
If you’re feeling anxious or depressed, or if you have ADHD, then analysis paralysis can occur quite often.
So, what causes analysis paralysis? Here are a few reasons. I’ve experienced all of them at many points in life.
Causes of Analysis Paralysis
1. Fear of failure.
No one likes to fail, even though it’s a part of life. Being afraid to fail or make mistakes is one reason that keeps a person from completing a task.
2. Desire for Perfection.
We all want to do the perfect job, to get it done perfectly the first time.
However, the desire for perfection forces us to set unrealistic expectations and to second-guess our choices. So, we end up getting stuck and avoid making any decision at all.
3. Information overload.
When I started gathering references for my book, I felt overwhelmed with all the information. It made it difficult to find my voice and to achieve clarity of thought, and it often discouraged me from sticking to my goals.
4. External pressure and expectations.
This factor is a big one for me. Ontario has thousands of mental health professionals – psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, and counsellors, to name a few.
Whenever I produce something related to mental health, whether it’s a video, blog post, or book, I often wonder what others might think. Worrying about what others might think creates pressure, and sometimes, this kind of pressure can force someone to question their judgment and cause them to abandon a project altogether.
Getting Over Analysis Paralysis: Do Something
I decided to write on this topic because I’ve been dealing with analysis paralysis lately. I’ve been developing a course based on The Promise Wheel, and I’ve found myself stuck on the project’s more minor and probably less important details.
But this time around, I’m not feeling as mentally paralyzed to the same lengths as I have in the past.
What’s changed? Here are a few things I’m learning about overcoming analysis paralysis.
1. Be more self-aware and mindful.
Notice if you’re spending more time thinking rather than doing. Then, bring your focus back to the present.
2. Set clear goals and priorities.
Define your objectives and what matters most to you. Being clear about your goals will help with deciding your next steps.
3. Decide quickly.
Don’t give yourself too much time to make a decision. Just start somewhere and make changes along the way. Your performance will improve when you are in motion, not when you’re stuck.
Analysis paralysis is a common problem many of us face, but it’s not insurmountable.
Accept uncertainty and imperfection, then take a step toward your goal by doing something rather than nothing. Before you know it, your confidence will build, and so will the momentum to move forward.
Richard