Paralysis Analysis Syndrome – How to Get Rid Of It

If you have fallen time and again into the trap of paralysis analysis syndrome, then I and you are no different. We are people who overthink and get lost in the haze of information while losing our knack for action.

But, it doesn’t have to be this way. We can overcome the trap of paralysis by analysis by following a simple set of paradigm shifts. Before we dig in though, let’s define the enemy.

What is Paralysis Analysis Syndrome exactly?

Paralysis Analysis Syndrome is the tendency to drown in information that isn’t actionable. There is a thing called information overload and it’s easy to drown in information in today’s noisy online world.

For the internet marketers and website owners out there, it manifests in checking their stats multiple times a day. How is my traffic today? Let’s dive into Google Analytics. Did I get any likes or shares? Time for the social media high of the day. Did I make any money? Let’s open our affiliate accounts and go wild. Those actions may seem harmless. After all, what’s wrong with checking how things are going?

The problem is that it’s extremely easy to drown in the sea of details and stats. On top of that, it’s quite difficult to get valuable insight from a wealth of information. There is actually a whole science that does that, data mining.

The end result is that we end up being unable to act, because we overanalyze, overthink and spend our time with information that holds no immediate, actionable value.

The Disease is Everywhere

Paralysis Analysis is also seen in other facets of our lives. Many of us wonder (myself included) about what is the optimal training program. The problem is we forget to work out, despite the fact that we researched the subject for hours on end :P.

We analyze the actions and possible thoughts of others regarding us. What are they thinking? We obsess about people that don’t matter. Worse, we overanalyze so much, that we end up believing bullshit about people that just aren’t true. They are just the result of our hyperactive imagination and overanalysis of things.

We let opportunities pass us by, while we overanalyze all the different possibilities and end up paralyzed and unable to seize the possibilities that present themselves.

We obsess over the things we want to buy. We obsess and overanalyze the way our websites and houses look. We stress over the ultimate productivity system and end up doing nothing.

We obsess about things that don’t matter much and end up doing nothing.

Paralysis Analysis is a plague and we must banish it once and for all.

Why Finished is Better than Perfect

In life completion seems to be more important than perfection. No one cares if you spent the last month polishing the best blog post, or took the time to find the cheapest way to buy something.

What really matters at the end of the day is tangible results. Not perfection.

After all, the time and effort it takes to achieve perfection is disproportionate to the reward. You can easily get to the 80-90% for probably 20% the effort. It’s Pareto’s Law once again. The effort and time it takes to reach the 100% perfect status, most times isn’t even worth it. Tim Ferriss has also talked about this philosophy in the 4-Hour Work Week.

==>Check my review of The 4-Hour Work Week here<==

Not to mention the fact that perfection doesn’t exist. It’s, in fact, a utopia that we hold in our minds.

It’s better to publish 3 good enough blog posts a week than to obsess over a perfect one and end up publishing new content once a month. It’s better to follow a workout routine that works for you and you enjoy than to obsess over the most efficient way to train and do nothing. It’s better to let go of what other people think of you and enjoy life.

It’s better to act than to stay paralyzed. It’s better to follow a good enough process than fail in your quest for finding the perfect one out there.

The Need for Actionable Information

It’s easy to fall into the trap of information overload. In the information age that we live in, how can someone separate the wheat from the chaff?

I have found that the best way to get over paralysis by analysis is to filter all the information that comes to you. Filter it through one question. Is the information immediately actionable? If yes, then, by all means, delve into it. Understand it and act upon it. Don’t wait to act on what you learn someday. Act immediately on what you learn.

If not though be ruthless. Cut out all the unnecessary information. Learn to silence the noise and you will gain the ability and the clarity to focus and take action on what is truly important.

The Need for Constraints

Another mindset shift that I have found to be effective in getting rid of the paralysis analysis syndrome is imposing limits on yourself. When you find yourself in the trap of indecisiveness and you are unable to take action, decide on a time limit.

Give yourself a certain reasonable amount of time. By the end of it, simply make a decision. Flip a coin if you have to, but when the time limit has been reached, be sure to have a decision ready.

Another helpful technique to utilize is limiting your choices and committing. When trying to decide on something to pursue, be sure to limit the possible choices you have as much as possible. Decide on one training program, decide on one internet marketing course to follow, decide on one person to be with, decide on one goal to pursue with all your might.

Minimalism can clear the noise in your head and help you commit to one course of action. We have written about Shiny Object Syndrome before and this is no different. To become an action taker, decide on ONE course of action, commit to it and make it work.

How I Got Rid of Paralysis Analysis Syndrome

I’m one of the first people who fall victim to paralysis analysis syndrome. In my internet marketing career, I have obsessed many times with what is the best course of action to follow for success. With all the courses available out there, to say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement.

The only thing that helped me take action was committing to a platform that I saw was legitimate and taught the real way on how to make money online. That’s why I committed to Wealthy Affiliate and haven’t looked back since then. But that’s a story of another day. You can read my review of the platform if you are interested.

==>Check my Review of the Wealthy Affiliate platform here<==

The same philosophy has helped me in many facets of my life. I love the relationship that I have with my one girlfriend. I love the clarity that comes when pursuing one goal (although I break this one quite a lot). I love actually working out, instead of obsessing over the best training program (also guilty :P).

At the end of the day, committing to one course of action is what brings clarity and the best results in my life.

Wrapping Up: Get Rid of Paralysis Analysis Syndrome

I believe today’s post has helped you understand how detrimental paralysis analysis syndrome can be for your productivity and life. Be sure to focus on actionable information and limiting yourself to one choice you commit to. At the end of the day, the vital few are the ones that truly matter, so stop swarming yourself with information and stats that hold no actionable value.

Question of the Day: What are the ways you fall victim to paralysis analysis syndrome and what are your best techniques to get rid of it? Share in the comments below. Also, be sure to share socially and leave a like if you enjoyed today’s post or believe it might be helpful for someone you know. Thanks, everyone!