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By the end of the day, many of us can relate to a pesky little thing known as “decision fatigue.” After deciding what to make for breakfast, fixing multiple problems at work, thinking about how to communicate boundaries with a family member, answering hundreds of questions from your kids and more, there are times when it feels almost impossible to choose between multiple ideas or pick one specific path over another. At this point, maybe it’s not just “fatigue,” but full-blown analysis paralysis.
Whether this choice paralysis is brought on by chronic decision fatigue or from the anxiety that uncertainty can cause (hello, “what if” scenarios!), having decision paralysis can be incredibly disruptive—it not only causes a delay in solidifying plans, but it can also lead to an identity crisis of sorts: “Why can’t I figure this out?!”
Bidhan (Bobby) Parmar, PhD, MBA—a UVA Darden School of Business professor, co-director of the Experiential Leadership Development Lab, Harvard University fellow and author of Radical Doubt (published August 26)—actually began researching doubt and uncertainty after years of observing his students struggle with these experiences.
He tells Parade, “As a business school professor, I noticed that many of my MBA students excelled at solving structured, technical problems—cases with clear parameters, data sets and ‘right’ answers. But when faced with unstructured decisions—ones involving competing values, interpersonal tensions or moral tradeoffs—they froze. These were the moments where intelligence alone wasn’t enough. I realized that we don’t train people to deal with ambiguity, even though such situations shape careers, relationships and character. We reward students for precision and correctness, but life—and leadership—rewards those who can navigate through the fog.”
But it wasn’t just impacting students.
“Additionally, through my work with organizational leaders, I noticed a pattern: as people rose in their careers, their decisions became less about clear facts and more about values, people and tradeoffs,” he continues. “Senior leaders were making decisions in the absence of clear rules, and the consequences were both personal and far-reaching. And many of them felt underprepared for that responsibility—not because they weren’t smart, but because they lacked a framework for engaging with doubt productively. This gap—between technical mastery and complexity—inspired me to develop a new approach to decision-making: one that treats doubt not as a flaw, but as a feature.”
That’s why Dr. Parmar recommends embracing uncertainty instead of trying to push it away.
“While I first noticed these patterns in my classroom, over time, I’ve come to see that we all face similar challenges—whether you’re a CEO or a new mother, we all face moments of doubt and need to build the skills to deal with uncertainty productively,” he explains.
Here, Dr. Parmar defines “analysis paralysis,” shares how it’s different from “choice overload,” reveals subtle signs to look out for before uncertainty leaves you frozen, and suggests tactics to help you overcome this decision paralysis for good.
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What Is ‘Analysis Paralysis,’ Exactly?
“Analysis paralysis is a state where overthinking or overanalyzing a situation stalls decision-making, often to the point of inaction,” Dr. Parmar tells Parade. “This condition arises when a person or group becomes so consumed with identifying the perfect solution or avoiding potential errors that they delay or avoid making any decision at all. The fear of making a wrong move or missing a better option leads to a loop of constant evaluation and hesitation. In essence, our desire for certainty overrides the need for timely action, often resulting in no decision or one that comes too late to be effective.”
If we’re honest with ourselves, this is a condition many of us have experienced.
“In today’s world of overwhelming information and countless choices, analysis paralysis is increasingly common,” he says. “The lure of finding the perfect answer can heighten anxiety and erode confidence in one’s ability to choose wisely. We find ourselves stuck in a feedback loop where anxiety fuels indecision, and indecision further intensifies anxiety. Imagine trying to plan a family vacation: one person wants the beach, another prefers the mountains, and you’re caught up reading endless travel blogs, trying to find the ‘perfect’ destination that checks every single box. Weeks go by, prices go up, and no one books anything. Waiting for total clarity becomes a sneaky form of avoidance.”
But that doesn’t mean you should do a 180 and make decisions without thinking at all.
“On the flip side, booking a trip on impulse without checking the basics—like weather or activities—can backfire too,” Dr. Parmar explains. “We call that going ‘extinct by instinct.’ The key is to find a balance: make a well-informed choice within a reasonable timeframe, accept that no plan will be flawless, and trust that you can make the most of it once you’re there. Progress beats perfection every time.”
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What Causes Analysis Paralysis?
“Analysis paralysis is often caused by the desire to find the ‘right’ answer instead of focusing on making progress through trial, learning and iteration,” Dr. Parmar reveals. “People may get stuck believing there’s a perfect solution out there and hesitate to move forward until they find it.”
And that’s where the problem lies.
“This mindset discourages experimentation and promotes fear-based decision-making,” he continues. “Perfectionism plays a significant role—when ‘perfect’ becomes the enemy of ‘good,’ decisions stall, and opportunities slip by. Similarly, overthinking can lead to endless loops of ‘what ifs’ and worst-case scenarios, which fade the benefits of your choice, keeping people trapped in a cycle of indecision rather than action. Ultimately, analysis paralysis emerges when the cost of making a wrong move feels greater than the cost of standing still—even when inaction is, in fact, the bigger risk.”
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Is Analysis Paralysis the Same as ‘Choice Overload’?
According to Dr. Parmar, “Not exactly.”
“Analysis paralysis and choice overload are related but not the same,” he explains. “Choice overload happens when someone is overwhelmed by too many options, making it hard to choose at all—like trying to pick a movie on a streaming platform with thousands of titles. The sheer number of possibilities can lead to indecision and dissatisfaction.”
“Analysis paralysis can strike even when you’re only choosing between two options,” he continues. “It’s not always about having too many choices—it’s often about the fear of picking the ‘wrong’ one. Picture standing in your kitchen, debating whether to finally commit to renovating or just refresh the space with some new paint and decor. You go back and forth, imagining every possible outcome—will the remodel be worth it? What if you hate the cabinets? What if you don’t do it and regret it later? While choice overload is about too many options, analysis paralysis is about getting stuck in your head, overthinking even simple decisions because you’re chasing the illusion of a perfect outcome.”
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How Is Analysis Paralysis Connected to Basic Uncertainty?
“Analysis paralysis is deeply rooted in our discomfort with uncertainty,” Dr. Parmar tells Parade. “When faced with unknowns—about outcomes, risks or future consequences—the brain often defaults to overthinking as a way to regain control. Sometimes, we believe that if we analyze a little more, gather more information, or consider one more angle, we’ll eliminate the uncertainty and find a perfect answer.”
But that’s simply not the case.
“The truth is, almost all decisions in life involve some degree of risk or ambiguity,” he explains. “In this way, analysis paralysis becomes a misguided attempt to control what is, by nature, uncontrollable: uncertainty itself. Accepting that some level of unknown is unavoidable is key to breaking free from the paralysis and making confident, timely choices.”
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9 Subtle Signs of Analysis Paralysis
Here are some of the behaviors you might not even realize you’re doing when you’re experiencing analysis paralysis, according to Dr. Parmar.
1. Endless research
“You keep gathering information—articles, reviews, opinions—even long after you have enough to make a decision,” Dr. Parmar shares. “The goal of being fully informed turns into an excuse to delay action. We seek new information even if we’re not learning new things.”
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2. Constantly seeking advice
“You repeatedly ask friends, family or colleagues what they would do, not just for input but hoping someone else will validate—or even make—the decision for you,” he says.
3. Fear of making the wrong choice
Dr. Parmar explains, “You become consumed by ‘what if I choose wrong?’ thinking, and the fear of regret outweighs the benefits of moving forward with any decision at all.”
4. Obsessing over worst-case scenarios
“Your mind gravitates toward everything that could go wrong, causing hesitation even in relatively low-stakes decisions, and fading any potential benefits of your choice,” he reveals.
Related: How To Break Out of a Pessimistic Mindset, According to a Psychiatrist
5. Avoidance disguised as productivity
“You stay busy focusing on simpler tasks such as refining spreadsheets or tidying your workspace,” he says. “Still, these tasks serve to delay decision-making rather than to support it.”
6. Missed or stretched deadlines
“You often need extensions or miss deadlines altogether—not from lack of effort, but because you couldn’t decide in time,” Dr. Parmar shares.
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7. Problem-focused, not solution-focused
“Your thinking is more focused on diagnosing (and re-diagnosing) the problem you are facing, and you find yourself unable to think about ways of addressing it,” he says.
8. Overthinking every detail
“You analyze each factor to extreme levels of granularity, even those that may have a more minor impact on your choice,” he explains. “You are unable to zoom out and see the big picture, or accept more minor imperfections.”
9. Emotional exhaustion and anxiety
According to Dr. Parmar, “Decision-making leaves you mentally and emotionally drained. Anxiety builds as you feel stuck, unable to imagine any positive outcomes, and commit to any path forward.”
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How To Overcome Analysis Paralysis
Dr. Parmar explains that these six tactics can help you stop hesitating and make real decisions instead.
1. Make the uncertainty bite-sized
“When a decision feels too big, it helps to shrink it into something more manageable,” he explains. “Instead of asking, ‘Should I completely change my diet and start a new workout program?’ try, ‘What’s one healthy recipe I can try this week?’ or ‘Can I add a 10-minute walk to my day?’ Making small, low-pressure changes allows you to build confidence, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the need for an all-or-nothing overhaul.”
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2. Run small experiments
“Treat decisions like test runs rather than irreversible commitments,” he suggests. “Experimentation allows you to learn through action rather than endless thinking. Want to start a business? Try freelancing or running a weekend side hustle before quitting your job. Considering a move to a new city? Visit for a week or work remotely from there to see how it feels. Experimentation can help you clarify the uncertainty you face and learn by collecting data that will help you decide.”
Related: 16 Things People With High Emotional Intelligence Often Say, According to Psychologists
3. Avoid alternatives that lock you in
“When possible, choose options that leave room for flexibility or reversal. For instance, instead of committing to a long-term gym membership, try a month-to-month plan or class passes,” Dr. Parmar says. “Knowing you’re not trapped reduces fear and makes decision-making less intimidating, and once you have more information, you’ll be in a better place to make bigger commitments.”
4. Remind yourself of your big picture goals
According to Dr. Parmar, it’s important to “anchor your decision in your long-term values and objectives.”
He suggests, “Ask yourself: ‘Which choice moves me closer to who I want to become?’ ‘Which alternative helps me get closer to the outcomes I’d like to create?’ If your goal is to grow as a leader, for example, choosing the job that offers mentorship and team management—even if it’s not in a perfect location—can keep you moving forward with purpose.”
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5. Be open to positive surprises
“Often, fear of adverse outcomes dominates our thinking,” he warns. “Instead, consider what might go right. For example, saying yes to a speaking opportunity might be scary, but it could lead to confidence, visibility and unexpected career connections. Shifting your focus to include possible upsides helps loosen the grip of paralysis.”
6. Consider what you can afford to lose
“Some mistakes are costly, and others are affordable,” Dr. Parmar explains. “Instead of obsessing over maximizing gain, ask, ‘What’s the worst I can reasonably lose here—and can I live with that?’ If you’re debating investing $500 in a course, weigh the potential benefit against the fact that the worst-case scenario is simply losing $500—not life-altering. This mindset helps you move forward when the potential risk is manageable.”
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Source:
- Bidhan (Bobby) Parmar, PhD, MBA, a UVA Darden School of Business professor, co-director of the Experiential Leadership Development Lab, Harvard University fellow and author of Radical Doubt
