What is Over Analyzing?
Have you ever needed to get something done and it felt like you couldn’t find the words to write an effective an convincing email? What about the time when you wanted to work on a project, but wanted to find the best way to get it done. Then, instead of actually working on the project, you end up spending days and months planning out the project without ever taking any action. Has that happened to you? Really, you spend so much time analyzing what could and couldn’t occur, you would think that you’re splitting atoms. Why does it happen?
Why Do People Over Analyze?
Essentially, it’s because you’re afraid of failing. You’re afraid of your own criticism or the criticism of others. So, instead of going out there and making it happen, you are worried about the “what-ifs” and the off-chance scenarios. It doesn’t mean that these things won’t happen, it just means that you are spending uncalculated hours trying to ward off anything negative. That time then becomes wasted because you never write those words, you never start the project. You procrastinated.
Should You Listen to Your Gut?
If you want to stop this from happening – maybe you should listen to your gut. What is it telling you to do? What are you fighting off? Some people say that you should do what scares you. That will create a more fulfilling life. However, this would be going completely against what your gut is telling you. Your gut is telling you not to start that business. Your gut is telling you not to launch that new venture. Your gut is telling you to be safe. Your gut might be telling you to over analyze those problems. But, the real reason is to protect you from failing.
Who Over Analyzes?
So, who usually over analyzes? It’s usually the people that are concerned with what the future can bring. They aren’t focused on the now. What they want is perfection, and they’re never going to get perfection. This doesn’t mean that research is bad. Actually, research can be very helpful in making good decisions. The problem is when you lean on research TOO much to make the right decision. Sometimes your gut can be right. Sometimes your gut tries to save you from scary situations. Your smarter self is trying to do one thing, but your animal self is trying to do another. It’s a duality that tugs and pulls until you realize that there is only one time to do launch a new venture, and that’s now.
Do Good Entrepreneurs Over Analyze?
Good entrepreneurs, as in people that have successfully launched new ventures, are good at balancing their gut (intuition) and their research/reasoning. They can recognize a good opportunity and then develop an idea around it. Over analyzing would be counterproductive to achieving their goals. Which is why a good entrepreneur is able to commit to a decision and live with the results. But, what happens when an entrepreneur underachieves?
What is Underachievement (…and Does Over Analyzing Lead to It)?
First, what is underachievement? Well, let us paint a picture. For sports fans, and basketball fans to put it a little more niche. You are 6 foot 10 inches, athletic, can play defense, dribble, playmake, and run the offense. The ball is in your court. You can continue to develop or go a different less desirable route. Analysts are projecting that you can be one of the top players in the draft – maybe even the best draft prospect since Lebron. But, something happened in there. Maybe a fan mistreated you, something happened in the family, the coach is upsetting, your setback by injuries. Your performance suffers, and as a result your playing time is reduced. Your self-esteem drops. Now, you’re overthinking when you play, instead of being fluid. It’s not your game anymore. Your growth starts to plateau and a career that could’ve been Lebron-like is more of a shadow of a bust. That’s underachievement.
Are All Underachievers Lazy?
No, laziness vs. productiveness isn’t a marker for underachievement. It might have been Bill Gates that said he looks for laziest people to do the hardest job. Why? Because they’ll find the most efficient way to get it done. So, underachievers aren’t always lazy, there can be a number of different reasons why they don’t fulfill their full potential. You could have a hard working individual that went the wrong direction, went into the wrong field, missed opportunities, didn’t take action, etc.
How Do I Know Whether I’m Underperforming or Over-performing?
If you want to know whether you’re underperforming or over-performing, create a short list of metrics that you want to follow. These metrics should be numerically-oriented (quantifiable) so that you can track your progress overtime. For instance, if you are looking to improve your business development staff, you should know how many outbound calls are converted into meetings. From there you would be able to discern the weaker links. Which of your staff needs more training to go from introduction to closing the meeting? You wouldn’t be able to do this unless you had a metric to follow.
How Can I Become High-Achieving?
Research the key tenants of the any business: the industry, successful businesses in the industry, new incumbents, revenue streams, expenses, and a quick action plan. Unless you plan to invest a significant amount of money into launching a new venture, it is suggested that you get started and take massive action. Adjust the sails along the way.
Is It Better to Over Analyze or Under Perform?
It depends. Over-analyzing leads to decision paralysis, which then results in missed opportunities. This creates a lack of progress, stress, and anxiety because of overwhelm of information. Whereas, under-performing means that you are probably missing your targets, which can hit your self-esteem. You want to have a balance between analysis and action, but speed is so important in today’s economy. Things come and go in the blink of an eye.
How Can I Stop Over Analyzing and Start Over Performing?
Set a deadline for analysis and decision making. Once the deadline triggers, you must take action. This provides you with enough time to analyze and evaluate your options, but makes sure that you don’t get stuck in an endless loop of decision paralysis.
Can I Under Analyze and Over Perform?
Yes, you can under analyze and over perform. Think about doing repetitive tasks in your business, like making a call. You don’t need to over analyze ever call that you’re making. Pick up the phone and dial. Or, in a crisis situation – here’s an example for you. You own an artist management company. There’s a booked event in 48 hours. Your main artist gets sick for the event and can’t perform. What do you do? Spend 48 hours analyzing or do you start taking action to find a better solution? You take action.
In Conclusion
- Balance Analysis and Action
- Set a Decision Deadline
- Speed Matters
- Trust Your Gut… Sometimes