If you’re suffering from analysis paralysis or find yourself avoiding taking action, you know how frustrating it can be. It can feel like you’ll never actually take action or make any progress. Fortunately, there are a few tips that you can follow to get yourself out of this vicious cycle and make some real progress.
Break it Down
The first tip to take action when you’ve been struggling with analysis paralysis is to break down tasks into smaller pieces. Breaking tasks down into smaller bits makes them seem much more manageable and approachable. It also reduces the likelihood of being overwhelmed by a large task. When the task is broken down into smaller bites, it’s much easier to get started and keep going.
Set a Timer
Another great tip is to set a timer for 15 minutes and tell yourself that you don’t have to keep going after the timer runs out. This encourages you to just focus on making progress for that period of time, and then you can take a break if you need to. Knowing that you don’t have to keep going makes it much easier to start, and it can be a great way to build momentum. This is referred to as the “Pomodoro Technique,” and there is a free online tool to help you get started!
Eliminate Distractions
It’s important to create a distraction-free environment when taking action. It can be difficult to focus and take action when your environment is filled with distractions. Making sure that you set your status to focus mode, putting your phone on do not disturb, or blocking out time on your calendar can help ensure that your environment is distraction-free and that you can focus on getting the task completed. Let your team know what focused time means for you and what types of emergencies allow for interruptions.
Set Deadlines
Goals without deadlines are just nice ideas. If you have something on the calendar and people checking in on you, chances are greater you’ll make the task happen. So, set deadlines for yourself, and then tell your team and other stakeholders about them. If you set a deadline and tell your team and other stakeholders about it, then you need to make sure that you are working towards that deadline. Setting a deadline also helps with the fear of missing out on potential opportunities.
Give Yourself Grace
Give yourself grace when trying to take action when you’ve been struggling with analysis paralysis. You may slip back into avoidance from time to time, but shaming yourself for it won’t help. Instead, it’s important to take a deep breath and then focus on one of these tips and start again. Don’t use this as an excuse or a crutch, but it’s also not a time to treat yourself like a failure. It’s okay to stumble, but it’s also important to pick yourself up and get back to it.
Are you suffering from analysis paralysis?
By following these tips, you should be able to make progress and finally start taking action when you’ve been struggling with analysis paralysis. Breaking tasks down into smaller pieces, setting a timer, eliminating distractions, setting deadlines, and giving yourself grace are all important parts of the process. If you can commit to following these tips, you should be able to make progress and finally take action!
If your goals are marketing-related, you might also benefit from joining our Marketing Masters program. This is a 12-week group coaching program with other likeminded business professionals who want to learn and grow in their marketing but need that extra accountability to keep momentum going. Learn more here: https://lewismediagroup.net/social-media/