{"id":5175,"date":"2017-12-28T02:00:13","date_gmt":"2017-12-28T02:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/marniemarcus.com\/unplugged\/?p=5175"},"modified":"2017-12-28T02:50:35","modified_gmt":"2017-12-28T02:50:35","slug":"analysis-paralysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marniekuhns.com\/unplugged\/2017\/12\/28\/analysis-paralysis\/","title":{"rendered":"Analysis Paralysis: How Much Analysis Is Healthy?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cThe unexamined life is not worth living.\u201d – Socrates<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

As an analytical person, I would tend to agree with Socrates. Those who will not examine their lives tend to keep repeating the same mistakes. Yet, in this article, I\u2019d like to issue a caution to my fellow analytically-minded readers. If you\u2019re someone prone to self-examination, this is for you.<\/p>\n

There comes a point where over-examination and too much analysis can be detrimental to our progress. There really is a thing called analysis paralysis where you can\u2019t move forward because you\u2019re too busy trying to examine the past or the present or what might happen in the future.<\/p>\n

In my experience, the really awesome happenings in life were not orchestrated by me or my analysis. I simply chose a path the best I could, got into motion on that path, and doors of opportunities began opening as I moved my feet.<\/p>\n

Many of us stay in analysis until we feel we or our idea are \u201cperfect enough.\u201d I have news for you. You and your ideas will never be perfect enough \u2013 and they certainly won\u2019t reach any form of perfection if you don\u2019t get out in the world and start acting upon them.<\/p>\n

Sometimes we stay in analysis mode too long because we aren\u2019t sure where to go. The more we stir the pot, the more confused we become. We\u2019re waiting for that big heavenly download or vision to reveal to us the correct path.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the rub\u2026 rarely do we ever catch a big vision that propels us forward without taking a few steps down a path or at least making a clear choice about what path to take. \u00a0A wise gentlemen I know once said,<\/p>\n

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\u201cRevelation comes as you use your agency to move your feet.\u201d – Mark E. Mendenhall<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Analysis Vs. Self-Criticism<\/h2>\n

The challenge many of us have is that we do not realize that analysis is only one part of the process. There comes a point that analysis must lead to action<\/strong>. In and of itself, analysis does not create or produce anything. It can formulate ideas for improving what is produced or created, but analysis is only a tool. When used correctly, analysis is like a laser beam that tells you what to cut away and what to keep.<\/p>\n

\"frenchThis is rather a simple example, but Sunday I was making a French Silk pie. It\u2019s a favorite with my boys, but I hadn\u2019t made one in about a year. I was talking with my dad while making this pie, and ended up mixing my butter, sugar and melted chocolate while the chocolate was still hot. This made the combined ingredients turn into a soupy consistency when it should have been fluffy instead.<\/p>\n

I thought for sure I\u2019d ruined the pie. It was late at night, and I didn\u2019t have enough butter left to start over. My first instinct was to berate myself for being so sloppy, not paying attention, messing up the pie, etc. Why hadn\u2019t I been paying better attention? Had I allowed the berating to transform into full-blown criticism, I could have jumped to the conclusion that I\u2019m a horrible mom for messing up the family favorite.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, I didn\u2019t do that. I stopped fussing at myself, analyzed the situation, and thought, \u201cHmmm\u2026 the butter just needs to get hard again.\u201d I stuck the soupy mixture in the fridge, let it harden up, then whipped it as it should have been whipped. The pie turned out perfect.<\/p>\n

Notice that analyzing the situation enough to find a solution is a healthy way to use our examination skills. You find a solution and go into motion with the solution. Sometimes your solution works, and sometimes it does not. But finding a viable solution through analysis is much different than berating oneself or going into full blown self-criticism. Neither of those lead to better results.<\/p>\n

Many of us have spent so much time analyzing that we\u2019re now cutting away at our own hearts, our own flesh, our own sinews and bones, our families, our loved ones, our homes, and our relationships. The tool that was given to us to create solutions and new and better things has now turned destructive and dangerous.<\/p>\n

There can be too much of a good thing. I\u2019m not saying to throw away the tool. I\u2019m just saying use it wisely, compassionately and in balance.<\/p>\n

Are You Over Analyzing?<\/h2>\n

Here are a few indicators that analysis has become counter-productive:<\/p>\n