It’s not uncommon to have a hard time making certain decisions. Some people struggle with it more than others. But, “analysis paralysis” takes that to extremes. Analysis paralysis occurs when your underlying anxiety makes it impossible to make a decision. You’ll question things and second-guess yourself endlessly as you try to come up with the “perfect” conclusion. It truly is a debilitating problem that can end up making you even more anxious.

If you find yourself overthinking to the point of getting overwhelmed, you could be dealing with analysis paralysis. Do you find yourself overthinking the same options, without generating any new leads or clarification? There comes a point of diminishing returns, where no amount of time further spent thinking about a problem is productive. The biggest problem is that it can affect both big and small decisions, making it difficult to get things done on a daily basis without feeling completely drained.  

So, how can you manage when your decision-making process leaves you frozen in place?

What’s Causing Your Overthinking?

When you’re dealing with anxiety, the best way to combat it is to discover what’s causing it. The same goes for analysis paralysis. Is there an underlying reason you tend to overthink things?

Maybe you made a decision once that didn’t go well, or a plan you created ended in disaster. Both things could cause fear and anxiety whenever another decision falls into your lap.

You also might be taking perfectionism to extremes. Everyone knows that there is no “perfect” decision in any given situation. But, that is easy to forget when you put so much pressure on yourself that any “wrong” decision you make feels devastating. If the stakes feel high on every decision you make, there’s a good chance you will get stuck in analysis paralysis.

Others who struggle with analysis paralysis because they find comfort in researching and studying all the different options.  There’s nothing wrong with weighing options. But, when that research becomes obsessive, even over small decisions, it causes problems. You might never be satisfied with the endless information you’ll find.

Reduce Analysis Paralysis by Making Small Decisions Quickly

So,  how can you get through the decision-making process without freezing up?

One of the best ways is to tackle small decisions first. Make them as quickly as possible without overthinking.  If it sounds easier said than done  –  it is! It will take time, effort, and a lot of practice. But, when it comes to small,  everyday decisions, challenging yourself to respond to them rapidly can eventually help you to make bigger ones without overthinking.

The next time someone asks you what you want to eat, answer right away instead of weighing your options. Go with your gut (literally!). Don’t plan out your morning walking route, but go with the flow. Choose the first album that catches your eye on Spotify or the first movie on Netflix.

When you allow yourself to be more impulsive with smaller decisions, you’ll start to see that they don’t have to feel like such a big deal. That leads to more self-confidence and less anxiety.

Breaking Things Down

Another effective way to handle analysis paralysis is by breaking decisions down into smaller steps. One of the reasons it can be so hard to come up with an answer is because you’re looking at the big picture and all of the possible outcomes. Try to focus on one piece of information at a time and make smaller decisions that will eventually lead to larger ones.

It’s also okay to look for options that are “good enough” for now, rather than altogether perfect. Feeling content with your decision is another way to build confidence. The more you do that, the better you’ll feel when a big decision sits in front of you and you have to give a concrete answer right away.

And remember, that most decisions can be changed and modified along the way. Moving forward, in small steps, is important to gain some momentum. There’s a saying that “it’s easier to steer a moving car than one that is parked.” Once you are moving forward, you can make course corrections if needed, but it is still better than being paralyzed with indecision.

Life moves at a fast pace. Don’t let analysis paralysis keep you from making important decisions that can impact you and others in a timely way. If you’re struggling, read more about anxiety counseling and feel free to contact me for more information. Together we can develop strategies for managing this debilitating problem and move forward.