now, no signup required!
Some decisions you make can potentially alter your future. Say, you choose to get your master’s degree from the US instead of India. There is a strong possibility that you may end up getting a job abroad and settling there after your degree. Living abroad may also alter your view of the world, and influence the way you approach your personal and professional life.
The process of decision-making is necessary and unrelenting. You make decisions every day, be it at work or home. From launching a new product at work to deciding what book to read next, decisions give us the momentum to achieve personal and professional goals.
But when does it become a problem?
Perhaps when you’re burdened with too many ideas, and when you’re overwhelmed by the thought of taking a definitive step. This is called ‘analysis paralysis’ which essentially means: too much analysis leads to paralysis.
Let’s take an example from our daily lives. Say you want to order in for dinner. It’s already 8 p.m. and you’re struggling to decide what you want to eat. Eventually, you realize two hours have passed and most restaurants are not delivering anymore. You end up eating a leftover sandwich and go to bed frustrated. This is something we experience quite often. But the real trouble begins when this kind of challenge creeps up in the workplace.
Harappa Education’s Making Decisions course will help you navigate the nitty-gritty of decision-making and teach you to keep your analysis relevant, focused and objective. Let’s explore analysis paralysis and how to avoid analysis paralysis.
What Is Analysis Paralysis?
Most of us are guilty of overthinking to some extent. We spend so much time thinking about the ‘what ifs’ and ‘buts’ that we end up with little to no time for actual execution. The meaning of analysis paralysis is overthinking to such an extent that you’re unable to act or make a decision. This proves to be a roadblock in effective decision-making, which requires a rational and objective point of view. You’ll have to make various kinds of decisions in your professional and personal life that may be affected by analysis paralysis.
Let’s explore the three kinds of decisions you come across during your life:
-
High-Impact Decisions:
These are decisions that shape your life such as education, employment and personal relationships. High-impact decisions are the most important and require your complete attention. Analysis paralysis in these types of decisions can cost you precious time, money and peace of mind.
-
Multi-Party Decisions:
These are decisions that require inputs from other people like your colleagues, family or friends.
-
Low-Stakes:
These are decisions that aren’t as important. You can avoid these and utilize the time saved on other, more important tasks.
How To Overcome Analysis Paralysis
Here are some ways in which you can tackle analysis paralysis to become a better decision-maker:
-
Prioritize Your Tasks
If you have 20 things to do, you can’t address all of them at once. Managing your tasks is just as important as making a decision. Break down larger problems into smaller ones and then prioritize them based on importance and urgency. This way you can allot time to each task without focusing on just one or two.
-
Talk to Key Stakeholders
When it comes to multi-party decisions, you have to consider everyone who’s involved in the process and will be affected by it. Talk to the key stakeholders—teammates, juniors, clients and vendors—who have a role to play in the decision-making process. For a personal problem, it’s ideal to approach a trusted friend or family member who knows you well. They’ll provide objective solutions when you can’t find your own.
-
Have Faith in Your Abilities
Don’t underestimate your ability to exercise sound judgment. For instance, if you’re a manager, you may feel overwhelmed by the pressure of decision-making, but remind yourself that you’ve been given this responsibility for a reason. Trust your skills and experience and consider the pros and cons before you make a decision.
Decision-making is important, but it’s more important to consider what your role is in the process. Well-planned steps can help you arrive at effective solutions even if you’re a textbook overthinker.
Harappa Education’s Making Decisions course provides insights and information about concepts that are integral to the decision-making process. You’ll learn how to avoid biases and deal with uncertainties. The course will help you become an expert decision-maker and equip you with the right skill set to tackle personal and professional obstacles.
Explore topics such as Root Cause Analysis, 5 Whys Analysis & Pareto Analysis from our Harappa Diaries blog section and develop your skills.
