Paralysis by Analysis
By AgentGulaman
@AgentGulaman (3546)
Philippines
August 18, 2011 8:02pm CST
I have often times encounter this kind of syndrome through my entire life. I always over think of situations, what's on other people's mind and the future implications of what I do. I am not saying that trying to analyze things is not a good thing. I have benefited much from doing so. I just want to say that analysis, having its unique advantages it brings, also have some disadvantages.
The term "Paralysis by Analysis" can be referred to as a phenomenon wherein an individual over thinks or over analyzes a certain situation to come up with the best and most efficient decision to the extent that the decision making never came through due to the over complicated and long duration thinking, hence the term paralysis. It is like many solutions to a problem have been going on in your mind that you can't even decide what to use because each solution is different from the other, causing you to be indecisive of what to use.
I have encountered this phenomenon ever so often in my life especially with those things that require decision making. How about you guys and girls? Do you encounter such things happening to you also? If so, what do you do to prevent such things from happening? Is there a good way to stop over thinking of certain things? Or maybe having so much stored knowledge and experiences lead to give you so much options that you become overloaded with solutions that you can't decide on what to use? Maybe some good decision makers in here can help me out minimizing this phenomenon on me.
I just want to hear your views regarding this. Happy Mylotting!
I just want to hear your views regarding this. Happy Mylotting!3 people like this
8 responses
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
19 Aug 11
Hi Agent Gulaman.
I think this happens to many people all the time. And everything we do requires decision-making so it will not be unusual that we encounter this phenomenon once in a while. Even in simple things like what to wear for the day. You would be so torn up between two pair of clothes and over thinking or over analyzing the impacts of wearing each clothes would leave you to decide wearing something else. Or deciding whether to go to the mall alone or with a friend. You'll over analyze the implications of both situations that you end up not going out and just stay at home.
Of course, the effect of this phenomenon is greater with bigger things that require bigger decisions. Like deciding what course to pick in college, or choosing between college and work, or whatever. I think the key to countering this phenomenon is to stick with instincts. I mean, I do believe that our first choice is the best choice. When another choice appears, it usually just appear to mess up things and confuse us. (I used to use this principle during exams back at school. 
)
This is why I think those people with one-track mind are lucky.
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This is why I think those people with one-track mind are lucky. 1 person likes this
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
19 Aug 11
So everybody encounters this one. Now I see girls might be encountering this forever as I know girls are fickle minded when it comes to choosing their wardrobe and shopping for clothes!
You got a point in there. I had experiences when I am torn with indecision and I just trusted my instincts to guide me to decide and almost always what my instincts told me is a good choice. It makes me wonder now how human instincts work. Do you happen to know?
Anyway, you are right that having that one tracked mind is the way to counter paralysis by analysis. Maybe I should read some books about gaining such a kind of mind. If you have some suggestions in reading I am willing to hear them out secretbear.
Thanks for the insights, I really got a lot from your response.
You got a point in there. I had experiences when I am torn with indecision and I just trusted my instincts to guide me to decide and almost always what my instincts told me is a good choice. It makes me wonder now how human instincts work. Do you happen to know? Anyway, you are right that having that one tracked mind is the way to counter paralysis by analysis. Maybe I should read some books about gaining such a kind of mind. If you have some suggestions in reading I am willing to hear them out secretbear.
Thanks for the insights, I really got a lot from your response.1 person likes this
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
20 Aug 11
Yes, I guess you're right. We girls probably encounter this more than guys do. I know I do.
Hmmm.. Instincts? I don't know how it works. I'm not even sure there's a branch of science that studies it. But I guess it's just like animal instincts which is purely based on survival.
We girls probably encounter this more than guys do. I know I do.
Hmmm.. Instincts? I don't know how it works. I'm not even sure there's a branch of science that studies it. But I guess it's just like animal instincts which is purely based on survival. @AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
20 Aug 11
Maybe because girls are more prone to being fickle minded? I did some brain dominance test before and I got a result of a balanced brain. This means I got a 50% male brain and 50% female brain. Well, maybe I got that paralysis by analysis thing from the female side of my brain then!
I'll try to check on how instincts works. I am a bit curious about such a topic. It would really be an interesting topic to ponder on because I want to unravel the mysteries of life.
Thank you very much secretbear for your inputs. Much appreciated.
I'll try to check on how instincts works. I am a bit curious about such a topic. It would really be an interesting topic to ponder on because I want to unravel the mysteries of life.
Thank you very much secretbear for your inputs. Much appreciated.1 person likes this
@allknowing (135943)
• India
20 Aug 11
Problem Analysis and Decision Making (PRODEM)is a porgramme that assists Managers to take correct decisions. What seems an easy solution on the surface turns out to be a mistake many a time and this organised approach helps one to take the right decision but it is a long drawn out process and one needs a lot of patience. I applied it when I was planning on giving up my job. It is not possible to get into the nitty gritty of it here but suffice it to say that before launching on this approach one needs to line up 'musts' which means any decision should lead to what one MUST have. In my case the 'must' was that I should have enough money to make a living and my husband gave me a green signal about it! That done the next came how do I spend my time, what do I do for keeping me intellectually alive and so on.
Cluttering ones mind with countless alternative is one's undoing but having alternatives lined up is a good way towards taking decisions.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (135943)
• India
20 Aug 11
Balancing is done by employing the weightage system which is that each parameter is weighed and the sum total is what one needs to look at. As I said in my response this is a long drawn out process. You could perhaps start with a small decision and work out alternatives for it and see how it pans out. May be you could choose a problem - "Where should I go on a holiday" Good Luck. Here some parameters that come to my mind are money, weather, timing, sight seeing,whether package holiday,with or without family, ...........and many more. And the MUST would be to make the holiday memorable.
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
20 Aug 11
Wow! I never heard of that Problem Analysis and Decision Making (PRODEM) thing. I'll try to check on that. Thanks for sharing that one. Yes, as the other responders above mentioned, a one track mind is a good thing for decision making skills. That MUST that you are saying is the focus and I should stick to achieve that MUST. That was a nice example and illustration there allknowing. You have nice points in here. However, can you give me some ideas on how to balance those alternatives in my mind that they may not hinder me on producing a decision that is needed? The countless ideas are really a good thing, but it becomes a disadvantage to me at times and I would like to prevent that. Hmmm...maybe that PRODEM will give me handy steps in finally develop the clutter in my mind into a decision. Thanks for your inputs!
You have nice points in here. However, can you give me some ideas on how to balance those alternatives in my mind that they may not hinder me on producing a decision that is needed? The countless ideas are really a good thing, but it becomes a disadvantage to me at times and I would like to prevent that. Hmmm...maybe that PRODEM will give me handy steps in finally develop the clutter in my mind into a decision. Thanks for your inputs!@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
20 Aug 11
Well, I think I could start at that. Thanks for the heads up. Now from what you have said, I remembered learning something from my Philosophy class before about a procedure on how to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of decisions in question. And yes, it really is a long process. I'll try to implement that on your thinking propositions. Thanks a lot allknowing. You inspired me to work double time in trying to improve myself with decision making and minimizing paralysis by analysis.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
20 Aug 11
As Kirkergaard says, live is a mystery to be lived, not a problem to be solved
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
20 Aug 11
I don't know Kirkergaard. I guess I have to search for him in the internet. And yes, maybe I am just too focused on looking at life like a problem to be solved but in reality it is a mystery to be unraveled and not solved at all. Hmmm...you gave me something to ponder in there urbandekay. That shared quote of yours made me think. Thanks for that one.
@celticeagle (166672)
• Boise, Idaho
19 Aug 11
I think I may have this syndrome. I get so mad at myself sometimes. I over think when in all actuality a woman should go with her first gut instinct. Oh, I start to and then I have to analyze it and double think myself into oblivian. Then I am confused and have to regroup. It gets frustrating.
@celticeagle (166672)
• Boise, Idaho
20 Aug 11
Need to take some deep breaths slowly and become aware of your body. THen visualize a peaceful place and go there in your mind.
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
20 Aug 11
Thanks for that celticeagle. I guess this is the same as meditation. Maybe I can use this whenever I got the time to think about a situation and decide on it. However, will this work for pressure packed situations wherein I instantly need a decision but can't make one because I over think things? Arrrghhh...I really suck when pressured.
I guess this is the same as meditation. Maybe I can use this whenever I got the time to think about a situation and decide on it. However, will this work for pressure packed situations wherein I instantly need a decision but can't make one because I over think things? Arrrghhh...I really suck when pressured.1 person likes this
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
19 Aug 11
Yeah! We got the same sentiment in here. I usually over think which results to inaction because I can't decide on things. It really is frustrating and kind of annoying. Are there any routine which can help minimize over thinking? It goes overboard whenever I worry a lot about what can possibly happen. Maybe there are some mind exercises that can develop a habit of going in with the instincts to prevent over thinking? I should really try to develop following my gut feel then.
1 person likes this
@bird123 (10643)
• United States
20 Aug 11
This is a common trait of people with an analytical personality. They can never get enough information to make the 100 per cent correct choice, which is what they are after. You must realize that at some point with the information you do have that you must MAKE THE CHOICE. Once you do. You will discover you have more to analyze. Each choice does bring more experience which will make choosing easier.
1 person likes this
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
20 Aug 11
So I do believe that I have to expose myself some more with decision making so that I can get the hang and avoid paralysis by analysis. Yes, experience can really help a lot in decision making skills. I guess i just don't have to rely to every detail and data after all. This one is really tricky for a sucker for data and information. Do you have any suggestions on how I can be decisive in what I do? I am having a hard time getting into the realization stage of making a choice that you have been mentioning. It's really hard to make a choice if you got so many things and options running in your mind.
@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
21 Aug 11
I think you shouldn't worry about this, AG. This is yourself, you can't change too much.
I remember our Sociology teacher told us something on this topic. But I don't remember much.
I only remember that in his first lecture he made us complete a test and then he told us so much about ourselves based only on that test! We were so surprised that all he was saying was so accurate! We all recognized ourselves in his descriptions.
I remember he said he can say how we deal with taking decisions only after reading our tests. He described one of our colleagues exactly the way you describe yourself and he was so right!
So, being the way we are, we can't change much.
I am not like you (I rather say I'm the opposite!). I take decisions based on the impulse and sometimes I regret the decisions I took. I think it is better that you think before acting instead of doing like me and later regretting the mistakes.
I only remember that in his first lecture he made us complete a test and then he told us so much about ourselves based only on that test! We were so surprised that all he was saying was so accurate! We all recognized ourselves in his descriptions.
I remember he said he can say how we deal with taking decisions only after reading our tests. He described one of our colleagues exactly the way you describe yourself and he was so right!
So, being the way we are, we can't change much.
I am not like you (I rather say I'm the opposite!). I take decisions based on the impulse and sometimes I regret the decisions I took. I think it is better that you think before acting instead of doing like me and later regretting the mistakes.@inu1711 (5285)
• Romania
21 Aug 11
No, it isn't easy to change your personality. Even if you manage to change something, in a critical situation you'll be yourself, again.
I didn't like it when I first realized I had a choleric personality. I would have liked to have a phlegmatic personality so I decided to start being so. For someone who doesn't know me, I might look like a phlegmatic person but when I'm in a tensed situation, I become choleric again. I hate it when it happens but I can't help myself.
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
21 Aug 11
You got a point in there inu. I guess analyzing things has always been my personality after all. But it really sucks when I can't make a decision on my own due to this. Well, different persons have different personalities and characteristics. Maybe I am just pressuring and stressing out myself too much regarding paralysis by analysis. Thanks for making such a problem of mine a bit light for me. I really want to be the kind of person with a little bit of everything kind of personality. I hope I can be both analytical and decisive at the same time. I'll try to focus on balancing both. It will be a great improvement area that I will work on. Thanks for your thoughts in here inu! Very well appreciated!
1 person likes this
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
21 Aug 11
Hmmm...I guess this will be a case of nature versus nurture thing. I can try to be another personality but will definitely be that personality and certain situations will show that. Thanks for that warning. I really don't know what to do now. I guess I just have to go with the flow of things and follow what my mind and heart is thinking after all.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
23 Aug 11
There are many times when I have seen Paralysis hit when trying to think about doing certain things, or trying to remember things I was wanting to get done, or should be doing to often remember them later and then wish I could have remembered them sooner. Like certain things regarding my Health and needing to make calls to Doctors, etc. and then finding out I waited too long, and then have to remind myself or write it down to make sure I do it the next time. Wish there sometimes could be an easier way.
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
24 Aug 11
Well, I think this is just part of life. As the other lotters above suggests, following ones instincts can be beneficial at times rather than being paralyzed to do nothing at all at a certain situation. So you don't have a one tracked mind out there too and have a hard time doing decisions due to over thinking? Maybe we can use what the above myLotter suggests as PRODEM to facilitate easier decision making. However I do believe it isn't practical on the common problems we encounter so we just have to follow our instincts to move out of the paralysis.
@chicksdigscars (5483)
•
19 Aug 11
Do you know I don’t even know how to attempt to approach this topic lol! .. I have never heard of this, so I won’t pretend to understand what you are talking about in its entireity, but I do agree with some of the points you’ve made and how I can see them factoring into my daily life..
Sometimes I do find myself stressing over and over and over the same problem, trying to come up with a solution, and whilst 90% of the time I will come up with something, there are times that I become so completely fixated on the problem, and trying to find a solution.. that it actually ends up becoming an utter blur in my brain, to the point where I no longer remember the problem, let alone the solution.
However, I don’t know if this is the same thing.
@AgentGulaman (3546)
• Philippines
19 Aug 11
Yes, it may fall on this phenomenon too. Something which you try to analyze and still further analyze and then ended up doing nothing. It is like you are trying to think of the optimal solution, and while you are doing so, the problem just passed you by leaving you behind. I can try to express it with a quote from John Lennon: "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Due to continued planning and sorting out the best plan, you ended up paralyzed and not able to execute what you are thinking. I think this happens when there is excessive thinking and I really would like to avoid such. I think you got some good tracked mind in you as 90% of the time you always come up with a decision to what solution you want to execute. I think around 50% of the time I hesitate on what solution I want which makes me lag and paralyzed to execute further. You can try to read up the above comments of others. They gave some good points in there too about this one.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts in here!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts in here!