Analysis Paralysis

This is another word for organized procrastination. Unlike my occasional procrastination which is unorganized and sometimes called the squeaky wheel syndrome. This is where my attention jumps from one topic to the next due to the ringing phone or a multitude of other distractions. Analysis Paralysis occurs when someone gets so bogged down in the details of their project that it never gets completed. Many times they are waiting until it's perfect or trying to juggle multiple projects. Stephen Covey speaks in depth about putting first things first in his best selling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. He describes Time Management in a matrix of four types of activities. Quadrant I – Important and Urgent Quadrant II – Important and Not Urgent Quadrant III – Not Important and Urgent Quadrant IV – Not Important and Not Urgent Covey teaches that we are most productive when we spend most of our time in Quadrant II, tasks that are important but not urgent. Recently I spent some time with my friend Andy Traub and he gave me two gifts. The new book, Poke the Box about personal initiative and ShipIt, a short pamphlet designed to help remove Analysis Paralysis; both of these by author Seth Godin.  I watched Andy use ShipIt to help him quickly develop a Video Product in a short amount of time. ShipIt is a short business plan to help guide you through a specific task or project. Sometimes we need a roadmap to help us move through a project to completion. In addition, you could consider an accountability partner to keep you on task. Make a decision to finish something that you have had on your list way too long and quit waiting for perfection…it doesn't exist. Have a great week! Pierce