Paralysis by Analysis - overthinking

I used to joke about people's ability to not make decisions, calling it 'paralysis by analysis'. Having too many options and not wanting to commit to one thing. Brendon Burchard gives some really clear steps to assist people who are stuck on making decisions. 

Brendon Burchard gave some good insights into what he terms ‘analysis paralysis’.

Look Beyond Yourself and Serve.
 Stop worrying if you’re good enough,  ready enough, or getting everything perfect in order to start. Look beyond yourself and realize your taking action can help others – your family, your team, your business and community. Serve! The way to get out of your head is to get in motion serving other people.
Clarify your vision and work backward.
What does your ultimate outcome look like? What would you define as success? How will you know when you’ve reached your goal? Once you have that vision clear in your head, work backwards from that to define the process to accomplish it. You don’t have to know every step, just a step.
Accomplish 3 things every day.
Just take three steps every day. If you don’t know where to start, try modelling others. What path did they follow? What are their habits? What do they seem to do every day or weekly?
Daily Practice.
If something is important to you, it needs to become a constant in your life. You need discipline and the willingness to show up every day and work towards it. Put it in your calendar and do something every day. The momentum of that will teach you to stop stalling.

 

"Don't Just Play Nice"

When there are conflicts or difficulties at work, do you shy away from it? 

I like harmony. Yet when there are conflicts at work we need to have the courage to open up to the difficulties and frustrations.  When we acknowledge and address conflict productively, teams are more likely to grow and progress, rather than just "get along."  Respectfully voicing issues and concerns  lends itself to excellence rather than "false harmony".

Sporting Metaphor for Effective Listening

John Hester suggests five tips for effective communication. I think the metaphor he uses could stick for some people, especially if you are sports mad! 

To listen effectively, I suggest that you view dialogue more like a pitcher and catcher in a baseball game. The pitcher (speaker) throws the ball for the catcher (you) to receive it. The catcher only throws the ball back after he has it firmly in his grasp.

Richard Branson on Work-Life Balance

If I do topple off the tightrope, overwhelmed with work, I like to get my head back in the game by going kitesurfing. Secondary to being with my family, I am most happy when I am kitesurfing. Kiting helps me to clear my head.

Being aware and having a clear plan or strategy when starting to feeling overwhelmed with work means you have options to avoid explosion or implosion.

Key Habits of Top Mediators

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has some great guidelines on what top mediators do to make sure their mediations are successful.

  • Gain a certain level of knowledge about the history and nature of the dispute.

  • Establish a positive and open atmosphere.

  • Quickly understand the essence of the conflict.

  • Be completely neutral and impartial and convey that to each of the parties.

  • Patience and perseverance.