Analysis is Paralysis
It’s good to be thoughtful. It’s good to be intentional and mindful of your decisions. Our brains are extremely powerful processing centers, and that helps us make executive decisions that other mammals are not able to do. However, as is the case with many other things, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. This is the case when it comes to sweets, foods, and leisurely activities. And it is also the case when it comes to decision making.
It’s a very natural occurrence for us to be preoccupied with making the ‘right decision’. After all, all the decisions we make will cause some sort of ripple in our lives, either big or small. What we decide to eat for dinner will influence the dining experience of the evening. The movie we decide to watch will keep us captive for the next several hours. The career path we choose will influence the next several years of our lives. While being thoughtful of our decisions and intentional in our choices is a healthy thing to do, when it becomes driven by anxiety and is all consuming, it becomes maladaptive.
When we become too analytical of our decisions (or as mental health professionals might say, ‘ruminate’), it can paralyze us from making any sort of decision. Then the power and control of decision making is robbed from us. As the saying goes, ‘making no decision is a decision’. So if you find yourself frozen because you’re feeling anxious about making the ‘right decision’, try these few steps to break yourself out of that paralysis.
1. Thank your mind
As mentioned before, our brains are powerful things, and its primary purpose is to protect and take care of us. When we are ruminating, our brains are working in hyperdrive to figure out how to best serve us. So thank your mind for being so concerned for your wellbeing and future, and know that even its unnecessary overtime is well intentioned.
2. Set time limits for ruminating thoughts
Set a time limit for your thinking. Block out a chunk of time in your day for you to ruminate over this decision for as much as you would like. Give your brain free reign to think over every little detail, every possible outcome, and every possible consequence. And when the time is up, let it go, knowing you will have your time again later.
3. Investigate your thoughts
Be aware of the purpose and motivation for your thoughts. Are you truly engaged in decision making and problem solving? Or are you preoccupied with worrying about what could go wrong? Worrying is not going to help you come to any sort of decision. If you find that you are worrying, gently direct your thoughts back to decision making.
4. Make a pros and cons list, and rank it
Might seem elementary, but it is a basic skill we learn as children for a reason. It can be helpful to have all your thoughts laid out on paper in front of you. Put pen to paper all of your thoughts, and what you think will be the positive and negative consequences of Decision A, of Decision B, etc. And when you have your pros and cons list, rank the importance of each item. Below is an example:
Pizza for Dinner Pros (+11)
Leftovers (+5)
Can get it Delivered (+3)
Different Toppings (+3)
Burgers for Dinner Pros (+13)
Can get side of fries (+4)
Craving Burgers (+6)
Side of milkshake (+3)
Pizza for Dinner Cons (-16)
Too much food (-2)
Lactose Intolerant (-10)
Long wait for delivery (-4)
Burgers for Dinner Cons (-12)
Get hands dirty (-1)
Drive to restaurant (-5)
Ate burgers yesterday (-6)
After you’ve made your list and ranked the items, you will be able to see the weight of each decision, without the feelings of anxiety or worry influencing how you think about those outcomes. For example, from this pros and cons list, you can see that pizza for dinner was ranked at -5 (+11 from pros and -16 from cons), and burgers for dinner ranked +1 (+13 from pros and -12 from cons).
5. Sleep on it
Despite all of our newfound knowledge and scientific advancements, sleep is still a mystery to us. Sleep appears to be the body’s magical resource in repairing, resolving, and recuperating, and we can use this to our advantage. Take a break and sleep on your decision, and see if any new thoughts or insights have come up for you overnight.
6. Know it’s not permanent
After you’ve thanked your mind, given your mind free reign to ruminate, investigated your thoughts, made your list, ranked the items on your list, slept on your decision, you are well prepared to make your decision. You still may not feel confident that your decision is the right one, but thankfully, no decisions are permanent. Even tattoos, which are by nature designed to last forever, can be erased nowadays. Don’t let the fear of irrevocability control you and rob you of the power of making your own decisions. It is only one decision out of the countless millions you will make in your life, and it will not be your last! Trust yourself, and make your decision with confidence.