The first part is by understanding what is going on. Last post we talked about why paralysis by analysis occurs. Just like in AA admitting you have a problem is the first step. The second step is designing a situation that limits your pain.
Analysis paralysis is usually a matter of cognitive overload. Your brain is being overwhelmed with too many choices and too many opinions to consider. Step 1 is removing some of this cognitive overload. When we use restaurant examples, many people narrow their choices down by deciding on what type of food they want before they even start looking. Step 2 is to have a fail safe. Sometimes, knowing you have an option to fall back on makes the decision process a little less scary. If I am going to the gym and want to try a new workout, I am more likely to follow through if I know that if I chicken out, at least I have a fall back option. The last piece is to think about the worst case scenario and think about the positives that could come from such a scenario. If you just stop at the worst case scenario, your mind will focus on the negatives and the losses you might incur. According to loss aversion, this will be worse than the benefits of getting something good, so instead, think of the good things that can come from a worst case scenario. The worst case scenario of eating at a terrible restaurant may lead to a great story of how awful your experience was.
What I have found is there are no right answers and no wrong answers only opportunities to improve. By making decisions, you aren't going to be right or wrong, you are just going to get better and the more decisions you can make faster will get you better faster.
Science moves when scientists test their hypotheses, companies progress when they build products or deliver services and the faster they can produce and iterate, the faster they can become what their customers want. Just remember that at the end of the process it is important to get something from your decision. If the restaurant was terrible, you will never go there again, If you didn't like the new workout, you can figure out what you didn't like about it and adapt the next workout.
Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend! You earned it. Don't forget to celebrate the successes along the way. The journey is more important than the outcome.
Andrew
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@andrewzimbd