Paralysis of Analysis

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In business, you have to make numerous decisions day in and day out.

Some are big (like which accounting firms should you hire), some are small (like which office supply store should you set up a credit account with), some are inconsequential (like which font should you use on your letterhead),  and some could change the lives of every man, woman, and child in your city.

But, so many people (myself included from time to time) end up becoming locked in place because of the "paralysis of analysis."

We want to make a decision, but we want to make the right decision, because the fate of the universe rests upon our decision making ability (or so we think).

And so we create spreadsheets, and project boards and cover the wall with post-it notes that try to sniff out every possible outcome of our decisions.

If we were on a shooting range, we would be those people who get into position... ready... aim... aim... aim... aim... aim... aim... aim... aim... ready... aim... aim...

Unfortunately many times the opportunities that we are presented with evaporate while we are contemplating.

Oftentimes, opportunities go to the people who are at the shooting range of life that have gotten into position... ready... FIRE!... aim...

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating that you go off "half-cocked." But I have learned over the years that in most situations, if you simply go with your gut instincts you will do well. If your gut tells you it's not the right opportunity for you, turn it down. It may still be a great opportunity, but it may require time, money, travel, or a skill set that you do not possess at this time.


So let me ask you...

Have you ever been in the position where you had to make a REALLY important decision? Have you ever doubted yourself and questioned whether or not you were "qualified" to make that sort of decision? What did you do? How did you move on?

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