So you have an idea, a really cool one – you know, that lightbulb moment. You are super pumped about it. You know it’s just an idea for now and needs to be fleshed out properly. So like every logical person would do, you set out to research the feasibility of your grand idea. You find some pros, you find some cons. You find more pros, you find more cons. More pros, more cons. You realize that there is a possibility of failure, but there’s also a good chance of success. You want to go further on this idea but the fail factor is too glaring to ignore – no matter how little it is. The lightbulb is still there, but it’s getting dim.

So you decide you need to give it more thought in order to figure out the way forward. You carry out more research on the matter. Seems like you’re coming up with a good plan… “But what if this doesn’t work? What if I’m not good enough? What if this whole thing turns out to be a huge fail?” And a lot of other ‘what if’s. And you’re stuck again. So you convince yourself there’s still some research to be done before you take any action. And the cycle continues…

Relatable much?

Well, this situation has a fancy name – Paralysis by Analysis (or Analysis Paralysis)

I’d like to consider this a ‘sequel’ to the previous blog post as both look to address the friction associated with making progress. If you haven’t read that post, check it out here.

The Danger of Overthinking

Thinking things through and laying out proper plans is a necessary part of any process. But overthinking or overanalyzing has the potential to become toxic.

Apart from the fact that such long periods of processing an idea can sometimes be mentally overwhelming, there are other dangers attached to overthinking an idea. All the ‘what if’s that we come up with have a way of dampening the passion that came with the idea. Now, it isn’t the process of analyzing that is harmful, but the fear of all the uncertainties that come with any plan. That subtle voice inside your head always reminding you that there’s more to be considered, even though some of them are simply beyond your control. That is the real enemy.

So how do we avoid this bottleneck situation, or get rid of it if it already exists?

Address Underlying Fears

As I mentioned earlier, the real danger is not the inability to take action, but rather the fear that our actions aren’t gonna yield positive results. This fear could stem from a previously failed attempt at something, lack of confidence in our abilities, or just an overcautious attitude. It is easy to rationalize these fears and mask them with excuses that seem logical. But sometimes, it is necessary to pause and ask ourselves why exactly we aren’t taking action on our ideas. Are we really clueless as to what to do, or we are just scared of failing?

Be honest with yourself. If you genuinely don’t know how to go about things, you can keep “figuring things out”. But if you find out you’re simply scared of getting to work due to whatever reason there is, then it is time to resolve those fears. Instead of letting them stop you, let them fuel you. For more on how to get past your fears to take action, you might want to check out my first ever blog post.

Know Your Points A, B, and Z

There are only three things that you need to know when starting out at anything, Your point A (starting point), point Z (End goal), and point B (Next step). Every other thing isn’t so important. It’s nice to have everything laid out and if you are able to get that done then, by all means, go for it. But if you find yourself stuck at planning out an idea, the necessary question to ask is, ‘Do I have my points A, B, and Z?’ – If yes, proceed to take action on getting yourself from point A to point B. If no, figure those three points out and then proceed to take action as well.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

– Martin Luther King Jr.

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Narrowing your focus to just the one step in front of you per time is the surest way to go up any staircase or ladder. One step leads to another, and then to another, and with time, you cover the entire distance.

Just Do

Don’t think, Just DO

– Horace

More like: Don’t think too much, just do. Not so long ago, I always wanted to have every detail of any project spelt out before I even began. I eventually realized it is practically impossible to get every detail in place. They’ll always be that extra thing I needed to figure out before I plunge. And it’s even worse when the few I managed to “predict” turn out to be far from reality. This epiphany changed my approach to taking on new projects. Now, I just get the basic things necessary to set the ball rolling and figure every other thing out as I go. That way, I save myself the mental stress of answering every question related to the project before I begin. Most times, there’s an endless pool of variables to answer to.

To sum it all up, planning is an integral part of any process and should not be overlooked. But when it crosses the threshold of healthy analysis, it does more harm than good. If you find yourself in a rut even before you begin, take a step back, ask the necessary questions, carry out the required planning necessary to take the first step, launch into action and figure things out as you go. Everything will come together with time, piece by piece.

Stuck in a rut? How are you looking to overcome it?