Overcoming Analysis Paralysis
A peek behind the scenes revealing how I help my coaching clients to get unstuck.
When we overthink a situation, we risk to eventually feel paralysed instead of taking action or making a decision. How to liberate yourself from the stuck-ness and spread your wings?
Often when my clients
Tell me they feel stuck,
It's because different parts of them
Are having opposing views.
Resulting in paralysis:
Not liking where they find themselves,
Yet unable to shift the situation.
Are you overthinking something
But feeling at a loss
To make a decision?
And does this inability to decide
Results in feeling stuck in life?
This is what I do
When coaching my clients:
Let's say you want to quit your job
And become an entrepreneur
(Yes, in the midst of a pandemic).
Or you want to feel more confident
But continue to be full of self-doubt.
Hmm, let me think of another example...
You wish to be a more loving partner,
But you keep on having fights together.
“And you did it again, what a beautiful message.”
WILLEKE
Stuck between what you want,
And where you currently are.
So frustrating,
Causing you to feel tired.
Now, what do I do
When clients ask for a way out
Of this relentless loop,
During our coaching sessions?
We get to know the opposing parts.
You can join me right now if you want:
First, get two pieces of paper.
Then, identify the part of you
Which is wanting to move forward.
And afterwards the part of you
Which is holding you back.
Give them both a description
(Not a name,
As that risks depersonalisation.
But that's a whole other story,
Too much for now).
Simply don't call them "John" or "Anna",
But something like
"The critical part of me" or
"The sad part of me".
A suitable description
For the part that is holding you back.
And for the other part of you,
That wants to move forwards in life
Something like
"The joyous part of me" or
"The light part of me".
Got it?
Then the next step:
“Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome.”
- Samuel Johnson
Write down everything you know
About these parts of you
On the applicable piece of paper.
Thoughts,
Feelings,
Physical symptoms and
Behaviours.
So for the wanna-be entrepreneur,
On the "optimistic side" you would write:
You can do this!
Feeling inspired,
Breaking free.
Life is short!
The chest/heart area feels open.
Full of ideas.
Confident and excited.
Wanting to quit as soon as possible.
Etc.
On the other piece of paper
Let's call it "the critical part of me"
You'd write things like:
Are you crazy to leave a well-paid career?
So many people lost their job!
Who do you think you are?
Taking oneself out of it.
Creating self-doubt.
Headaches.
Sleepless nights.
Worries about money.
Affected by what others might think.
Etc.
These two opposing parts
Create a third part:
Crushed, stuck, frustrated, sad and lost.
Suffering from 'Analysis Paralysis'.
Once you see yourself in this way
As if you are looking at a theatre play
Seeing these separate aspects
Of your personality
Each playing their role
On the stage that is your life,
It becomes easier to understand
Why you currently feel stuck.
During our work together
We befriend the opposing parts.
We find out what they need
In order to calm down.
We help them get un-stuck.
And instead, work together as a team
With your happiness as the main aim.
I wish all parts of you
Happiness, inner peace and trust.
May they stop sabotaging each other
And instead work together
So you can live a life
True to yourself.
I believe in you.
With love,
Karin
Source:
This psychology tool comes from
Carl Jung - Jungian Psychotherapy
He calls it sub-personalities.
It's like our external roles in the world,
Like child, employee, friend or sibling,
But instead, these are at play inwardly.
Because as you know,
That's familiar terrain for Inner Pilgrim:
We're like a Lonely Planet Guide
For your inner world.
PS
My online coaching course Crossroads
Is the Inner Travel guide everybody needs
To getting un-stuck
And finding crystal clear clarity
On your next step in life.
