Analysis Paralysis
Definition:
Analysis Paralysis is a state of painful marketing confusion that results in the inability to make the necessary strategic decisions to move your business forward, effectively paralyzing progress.
Causes:
Analysis Paralysis is generally caused by soliciting too many opinions. These often contrasting opinions and differing advice from well-meaning colleagues, mentors, friends or ill-qualified marketers can often prove fatal to sustained growth.
Symptoms:
In most cases of Analysis Paralysis, fear of failing to produce the desired marketing outcome is the true culprit.
Other signs and symptoms of Analysis Paralysis may include:
- Impaired reasoning
- Increase in stress levels
- Sleeplessness and irritability
- Thought process dysfunction, such as pendulum swings
- Decision-making paralysis
When planning your marketing strategy, there are undoubtedly many roads you could take to arrive at your final destination of marketing success. This being the case, it is only natural, and also quite prudent I might add, to explore all possible options and anticipated profit outcomes. This is where the waters usually get a bit murky for many and paralyzing fears begin to rush in.
Questioning thoughts like “What if I make the wrong choice?” begin plaguing the mind, throwing us into a whirlwind of doubt and confusion. When analyzing options for achieving your strategic marketing goals, the idiomatic truth “there is more one way to skin a cat,” causes many of us to second guess our preferred option. Although a second and sometimes third opinion can be helpful and is usually recommended, a seventh, eighth and even ninth opinion may be cause for growing concern that analysis paralysis may be creeping into your decision making process.
Related Conditions:
Groggy Marketing Goals
Fractured Foundational Marketing
Planning Deficiencies
Treatment:
If you suspect you may be suffering from Analysis Paralysis and it’s beginning to hinder your growth, get in touch to schedule a Marketing Health Check.
