Analysis Paralysis: Are You Guilty?

See the Picture, Ignore the Clouds

See the Picture, Ignore the Clouds

Really?  Have you thought about it?

A well-meaning friend (who is looking incredulous) let this question hang in the air, and my mind suddenly started a discourse.

Miffed, it said: Of course I thought about it.  If I haven’t…  this train of thought led me to thinking that “thinking” is actually the problem of most people.  They overthink and end up not doing anything.

It’s as if the thinking itself paralyzes them.  Makes them panic.

Of course one hundred and one things can go wrong, of course it might not go according to plan.  Of course.

Of course people will say mean things, and some will even say I told you so.  Of course.

But then some people’s roles are just that – irritants, devil’s advocates, thought provokers.

And whether we like it or not, we need them.  Because all angles have to be thought out, all options considered, and even if the truth is unpalatable, it has to get out there and sometimes it has to come from the voice without (the voice within is drowned with possibilities and is probably not the most reliable right now).

So that you can make an informed choice.

But you have to learn to separate the grain from the chaff.

Some say what they say because they are envious of your plan and the fact that you are the one who came up with the plan, and not them,  or that you have the guts to do what you are about to do – and they don’t.   But most of the time, they are just well-meaning people who want to have a say in the thing (free speech), or are angels (really) sent to stop you from making the biggest mistake.

So how do you know if you will be making the biggest mistake?

You can’t.  There’s just no way.  Except to listen (yes), to plan, look at every angle, anticipate every problem, research, think, and then decide, by yourself.  There’s just no way for you to know until you go right ahead and do it.

You have got to do it.

(and do not overthink)

And this, my friends, is the hardest.

Rule of thumb for the young: make mistakes (please note I did not say make stupid mistakes).  Really, there’s no better teacher.  Then correct course.

Live.

Article by Issa. Painting by Danvic. Copyright 2009-2011.
Website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
Email: issa@youwanttoberich.com

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