Stop the Analysis Paralysis

Nike got it right: Just do it!

How many of us get paralyzed by over thinking, over analyzing, second guessing, questioning and doubting?

And it can happen however small or big the goal is: starting a new routine, breaking an old habit, joining a class, quitting a job, buying that ticket to wherever it is we’ve always dreamed of visiting. Whether it’s your gut, your heart, or your head telling you, “I want to do this,” that instinctive, raw and pure voice is usually followed by and drowned out by all the other voices in your head: the practical, the fearful, the responsible, the risk averse, the insecure, the complacent, the herd mentality, the rational.

You end up wondering why you haven’t bought that ticket yet, why you can’t seem to find the motivation to start working out, and why you are waiting for “the right time” to quit that job.

I’ve been there. We’ve all been there. I recently had a conversation with someone who shared with me a story that literally changed their life. This person wanted to drop everything and move to a different country. People said it was a terrible idea, that there was limited electricity, no running water, and tons of other challenges. But this person did it anyway and it turned out to be an amazing experience. And now they’re back in the US and they appreciate even more the things we all take for granted. It was a simple story about a decision they made by allowing all those internal and external voices, voiced by close friends and family, to go in one ear and out the other because somehow this person just knew. This person just did it. Despite those voices.

Stop the analysis paralysis! Just do it! Just take that next step towards doing whatever it is you want to accomplish — just one step, however small or big — and stop listening to all those other voices. Send out that email, put on your sneakers, do a google search. It doesn’t matter.

Just do it.

#SeizeYourPassion!