If you tend to overanalyze things, chances are good that you and the teams you lead suffer from “analysis paralysis.” In this post, we explain some easy ways to combat this tendency and keep your organization moving forward.
Accept that You Won’t Always Know Everything
Uncertainty is one of the main causes of analysis paralysis. You may feel that you need to gather all the information available before taking action. Unfortunately this may turn into an almost endless loop where you put off taking a decision until you can’t avoid it anymore.
To prevent this form of paralysis, accept that you won’t always know everything. Researchers studying how people in high-risk professions make decisions have discovered that leaders in those fields have a special way of dealing with what they don’t know. They take action under great pressure aware of the fact that variables can change, so some on-the-fly adjustments may be necessary.
Try to adopt this mindset yourself. Knowing that you can always tweak things as you go may make it easier for you to make progress.
Beat Perfectionism
Another common source of analysis paralysis is perfectionism. This has been known for centuries. Do you remember the old saying? “Perfect is the enemy of good.” If you agonize over every detail of every project, you will find yourself stuck and unable to meet deadlines, potentially missing revenue opportunities.
Psychologically speaking, at the root of perfectionism is a form of all-or-nothing thinking. When you see things only as completely good or entirely bad, you may find it difficult to reach a compromise with yourself that allows you to let some unimportant details slide.
To beat perfectionism, learn to appreciate the value of “good enough.” Good enough may not be flawless, but it’s achievable and doesn’t place an unnecessary burden on your mental health. In short, good enough is not perfect but get things done, and in the world of business that’s what really matters.
About The Pomona Chamber of Commerce
At the Pomona Chamber of Commerce, our mission is to keep you up to date with the most relevant developments in business management and administration so you and your company can take advantage of new opportunities
Contact us by email (info@pomonachamber.org) telephone (909-622-1256), social media, or click on this link to join and start enjoying the benefits of membership today.
