“Analysis leading to paralysis”.
This was a phrase I heard from a discussion involving two experienced professionals who probably have twice the amount of experience I have (or probably quadruple if I were to combine them both).
Actually this statement is so true, be it in work or everyday life.
Over-analyzing or in simpler terms, overthinking is probably the main reason stopping people from moving forward and taking action.
At work, this sight is quite common when we try to do something new as we try to find the safest, risk-free, next step. In order to satisfy our internal worry (and sometimes curiosity), we perform analysis after analysis, many times unnecessary, to answer questions we create that might not even be relevant in the first place.
Without a doubt, certain level of assessment is required before taking action. However, when we set our objective to finding a risk-free solution, where the likelihood of failure is close to zero, then we are on the road to “status quo”: stalemate – we stop ourselves from taking that action, which might have changed the world.
On a personal or individual basis, this act of over-analyzing can disrupt someone’s daily life. Similar to work, it is necessary to be cautious but if it goes overboard to the extreme, over-analyzing hinders someone from living life to the fullest and potentially missing that opportunity to be happy – even if its for the day.
So – be moderate in analyzing, open the door fully, take those (sometimes scary) steps, go out, and have lots of fun!