I first heard the term “Analysis Paralysis” from one of my best friends, Piper, when she commented on one of my Facebook posts where I was sharing and elaborating on a blog post about “How To Get Results” written by my Fitness/Business Coach, Jill Coleman, of JillFit Physiques.

I thought it was hilarious because it’s so true, and I asked her if I could use her term in an upcoming blog, giving her full credit of course.  She said, “Sure!  But, I’m pretty sure I didn’t make that up.  I’ve heard it before, but go for it!”  Of course, Piper’s vocabulary is much bigger than mine, so this was a new term for me to hear, and I was impressed 😉

What is “Analysis Paralysis”?

Curious to see if Piper had coined this term or there where others using it, I did a basic google search for the term, “Analysis Paralysis.”  WOW!  All kinds of articles popped up form psychology sources, other blogs, and you can even check out the full definition of the word found here on Wikipedia.  Sorry Pipes…I know now that you didn’t invent the word, but, you still get the credit in my lil world! 😉

As a recovering perfectionist myself, I’m surprised I hadn’t heard this term before because I’ve been stuck over-thinking situations way too many times than I’d like to admit, with no ACTION as a result because I was waiting for the “perfect” time, solution, or strategy, that basically didn’t exist.

What about you?  Ever have a case of “Analysis Paralysis”?  I mean really…there is sooooo much info out there about everything that it’s almost impossible not to feel overwhelmed and then decide to do nothing!  This is usually out of FEAR that we may make the wrong choice from all the info given.  Can you relate?

Delaying decisions, making decisions more complicated than they need to be, &/or waiting around for the “perfect” solution to present itself are only stalling us from progressing in our goals and just another glorified procrastination technique for us perfectionists.

I know I mainly write about fitness and nutrition, but “Analysis Paralysis” affects us in all areas of our lives, including but not limited to, choosing a spouse/mate, whether to have kids or not, buy a house or rent, invest in stocks, mutual funds, or IRAs, what’s the best exercise for fat loss, should I try Vegan, Paleo, or a Juice Cleanse, iPhone or Android, and the list goes on and on!

 How Can I Become a Decision-Making Ninja and Stop “Analysis Paralysis” in it’s Tracks?

1.  TAKE ACTION.  Start with small/easy decisions and then work up to large/difficult decisions.  We can just start choosing and making basic decisions.  This is taking ACTION!  Choose Chocolate or Vanilla, Asparagus or Broccoli, Zumba® or Body Pump™, &/0r Florida or California for this year’s vacation.  These decisions aren’t going to make or break us, but it gets us in the habit of deciding “something”.  Then move on to the more complex decisions.  Remember, large decisions can always be broken down into smaller decisions.  Make a decision about a portion of the larger decision, wait for feedback, then make your next decision, and so on and so on.

2.  Realize that there is no PERFECT decision, choice, time, or strategy.  Likely, there is more than one solution that will benefit us, and I find a lot of comfort in that.  Spending too much time analyzing or talking about decisions or information can become so exhausting, makes things much more complicated, and then leaves us stuck in the same place as we were yesterday.  BOOOOORING!  I’ve learned that the more I take action, even if I’m scared, I’m happier than I was just standing still and spinning my wheels.

3.  Almost any choice or decision can be UNDONE or CHANGED, so just make one already!  We will always have the ability to change it or go in a different direction.  We can think of “worst case scenarios” all day, and it is not helping us to move forward.  Take it from me, if you are only eating processed food right now, any diet will be better than the one you’re on right now.  Not exercising at all?  Any exercise program will be better than the one you’re doing right meow, too, which is nothing.  So stop overthinking it and just start doing something.  I have created a great guide to help you get started with eating healthy and exercise.  This will take a few decisions off your plate 😉

Don’t let “Analysis Paralysis” keep you from eating healthy!

Get my Free Lean Eating Guide HERE & Get Started Today!

4.  Ask for Support from a friend, coach, or professional.  There’s nothing wrong with asking for advice from a trusted person in your life.  They may have some experience in the area that you are working on making a decision in and be able to give you some insight about how things went or how they would’ve done something differently.  This can be very comforting and encouraging, and could help get you started.  This is why in fitness, we always advise new clients to get a workout buddy or work with a coach, it just makes getting started easier.

In the end, “Analysis Paralysis” is just another glorified procrastination technique that keeps us stuck from playing the “Game of Life” ALL OUT to our fullest potential and reaching the goals that we have.  However, we don’t have to let that happen and we can do something about it one step at a time.

What strategy are you going to employ to help you overcome “Analysis Paralysis” so that you can reach your goals?  If you have another strategy that you use that’s not listed, I’d love to hear that one, too.  Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for stopping by,

Tommie