Have you ever experienced indecision paralysis? (I’m not entirely sure if that’s even a “thing,” but it feels appropriately labeled).
I’ve had a particularly challenging week in regards to my business startup progress. I have made mounds of progress over these last several weeks, between setting up my website, creating a functional funnel system, and drafting my email sequence, etc. It’s now time to move on to the next phase and to start preparing my social media for activity. I’ve known this was coming, it’s not a surprise by any means. I have been dancing and jumping all around this for a while and been avoiding this. It’s now time to dive right into my social media creation, i.e. what is referred to as my primary traffic source.
Truth be told, I’ve probably been avoiding this for several weeks now. I have been busy with other tasks, which up until now, have had a bigger priority. I am a self-diagnosed overthinker and I’m experiencing what I believe could be appropriately termed, indecision paralysis. I would best describe this as getting to a point where you feel so overwhelmed making a decision that you ultimately paralyze yourself from making any decision. There’s nothing that will effect the positive momentum moving forward in your business than experiencing indecision paralysis.
I have had my share of challenges throughout this journey. That isn’t surprising, it’s all a part of the process. Typically, I have no problem raising my hand and asking for help from my coaches or colleagues. In fact, I could argue that I am apart of the most wonderful community that is willing to help at the drop of a hat.
This time around, I haven’t reached out for assistance, likely because I can’t quite put my finger on what the issue is. I did, however, make a promise to myself (and to you, my lovely readers) that I would be transparent and share with you the good, the bad, and the downright ugly of this process. So today I’m sharing with you my ugly…
I was a doctor in my former life, so I’m conditioned to tackle challenges as if they were a health crisis, through the lens of diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis? Indecision paralysis. Treatment? Just make a decision, dag-nabbit, any decision, and move forward! I don’t even care what that decision is, just pick one! For the love of all that is Holy, just post something! Anything!
Sounds simple, right? I tend to agree with you. Boy, oh boy… I wish it were that simple. Except in this case, the treatment doesn’t seem to be working.
I feel like I have to get up in front of a crowd of thousands and I don’t know what I’m going to talk about, yet I have so much to say. I sit down to start planning out the content that I want to share and post on social media… and then I freeze. For a mind that is full of ideas… ideas practically oozing out of my ears, I go completely blank. This has happened now many times, each time ending with the same result: nothing.
This week, as my newfound diagnosis has reared it’s ugly head, I started trying to get down to the bottom of my issue. I started asking myself questions. I should be able to figure this out, right?
Am I knowledgeable on the topic? Sure. Expert? Definitely not (at least yet anyway) but that doesn’t bother me.
Am I scared of going public and talking? No. I haven’t stopped talking since I learned how. (Trust me, just ask my mom.)
Am I scared of the platform or feel like I don’t know how to use it? Nah, not so much. I’m good there.
Simply put, I am stuck at what I want to say, because I could say anything.
I could say anything yet I say absolutely nothing.
I’m stalling. I’m stalling and I don’t know why.
Social media creation is going to be pivotal to my business, the “backbone,” if you will, (chiropractic humor at it’s finest, sorry) and I can’t even make my first video. In fact, one of the attractions to this new business is that I enjoy social media and I am looking forward to using it. Except now it’s go time.
I know this will be a thing of the past, and likely soon, but right now it feels like the mountain is directly in front of me.
So now I ask you, my new friends, my new readers, have you ever experienced this before? If so, what did you do to overcome your paralysis? I welcome your thoughts and ideas.
For those affiliate marketers out there, how did you make your first ever video? What about your second video? How did you start building your momentum?
I look forward to hearing some of your ideas!
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for your vulnerability.
I am definitely not a psychology expert but I suspect it might be fear.
After all, the time you start driving traffic is the time you finally have to show yourself to others. I believe this is very common in this industry.
A lot of people will join a coaching program and they will do every step taught in program but when it comes time to drive traffic, they freeze. So you are definitely not alone. I experience the same thing as well.
You may have to check in with yourself on what exactly are you afraid of. All the best!
You might be right, Alan. It makes sense. Consciously I don’t believe I’m scared but clearly there could be something underneath! I’ve put myself out there like this, and more, over the years but this feels different I guess. Thanks for the comment! Much to “stew” on here!
Great post, I suffer from a similar condition, Protaskanation, it’s where I put for doing things like deciding on a traffic source by doing lots of other tasks, that way I don’t feel guilty as I am ‘busy’. For me, also looking at developing a traffic source I think it is because the tech stuff I have been doing has an easily understandable ‘end’. it either works or it doesn’t. Traffic generation is less binary, it can work, but nit that well, or it could be better. There is not the same ability to be able to say… Done it
I agree with this, Tony. The social media side is less “tangible” whereas the other aspects of creating the business have been very black-and-white, or cut-and-dry, if you will. It makes sense why that could be a stumbling block for me.
Hi Lauren
Yup same here. Started looking into TikTok again.
As I start to video I sit there blank! What happened to all I was going to say! 🤦🏼♀️
I do agree we will all pass this, we just need to dive in.
You got this! Can’t wait for your next post telling us how many views you have and all the comments flowing through!
Sandy.
Sandy recently posted…My 7th Post – How Do I Set Up TikTok So My Audience Can Find Me?
Thank you Sandy! I can’t wait to share with you that post either! I know it’s coming… I just have to jump off the diving board!
Lauren, this post is amazing! I love how real and honest you are. Social media posting was really intimidating to me, not because I had too much to say, but because I was brought up not to tell people what is going on in your world. I grew up with my mom saying, “Walls have ears,” watching everything I say, being concerned with keeping my world to myself. But this is a new era, and with affiliate marketing, overcoming “indecision paralysis,” as you put it, is a must! I think start small, just start with an announcement of your blog every week. “Ever heard of indecision paralysis? Check out my blog post, and I will tell you all about it…” You got this! I can’t wait to see your first post. What are your social media details so I can follow you?
Aw, Alison, thank you!!! This certainly helps me! It’s so funny you should talk about how you were raised. Although I do enjoy social media personally, I don’t share a great deal about my personal life. I share pictures here and there, but for the most part I am always cautious about putting too much “out there.” I don’t have anything to hide, but I tend to keep much of my life private. Just as you mentioned… this is a new era though, and things have changed. Now, the more you share the better! Now that I write this out, it seems that this contradiction could be resulting in some of my challenge? I think you pose an excellent point!
As for me, setting this thing up is challenging. I can’t understand why it doesn’t communicate as it should. Doing video is something I’ve wanted to do so I started doing it from day one. Nothing fancy. Maybe I can up the ante sometime.
Kate, It sounds like what was easier for you was most difficult for me, and vice versa. Funny how that happens.
Your post resonates with my current situation. I haven’t been writing for a while because I lacked the energy, and the term “paralysis” perfectly captures that feeling. I found myself capable of doing time-wasting things I’d never done before (like TV, I had never liked it ), yet I was completely blocked when it came to what I should be doing. I refer to this period as overwhelming, and I’m trying to be kind to myself, avoiding the urge to force productivity and patiently waiting to feel like myself again. I believe this may be a regular part of the process.
Sasha, thank you for sharing your experience. Clearly we can resonate with each others’ situations. Funny how you talk about “time-wasting” activities… I’m a master at those! I could write a book! Not sure if you read some of the comments below, but Alan mentioned this is a form of fear. I tend to agree with him, even though consciously I don’t feel scared, not in the slightest. I think there’s something to that, to both of our experiences. But you hit the nail on the head though, and continue being kind to yourself as you work through it, avoiding forcing anything. How does that famous saying go again… “this too, shall pass.”
“I could say anything yet I say absolutely nothing.”
This is a useful skill to have in politics. 😂
Taking decision for me involve often this kind of paralysis. I agree to say it is a form of fear, the fear to take a wrong decision. Maybe also that this fear comes because of a lack of information. We need to have the right information to take the right decision. Should I go left or right? Without the knowledge of the hurdles you will face by turning right you don’t know until you try.
Mentorship is important to guide you and make the right decisions. Someone before you was stuck with indecision until he tries. Know he could teach you the right way.
I really love the artistic look of you website. Your newsletter banner is wow 😲.
Kind regards,
Martin
Martin Lefebvre recently posted…Email Marketing 2024: Achieving Compliance – Part 1
Thank you Martin, on many accounts! If I ever decide to go into politics, I will most definitely keep your comment in mind! LOL
I agree there could be some underlying fear regarding this, I’m exploring a little more into that.
I’m glad you’re enjoying my “artistic flare.” Canva has become my new best friend!
Hey Dr. Lauren, Coach Coe here. Boy, do I feel your pain, so I am leaving you a tough love Rx comment. Read it, do the book work and then message me on FB. Remember, I recommended Blogging All-In-One for Dummies.
Did you get it yet?
If so, check out Page-102-104 and send me your customer audience.
Hey Coach Coe! I’m so glad you stopped by! I welcome your “tough love” anytime! I have taken your advice and the book is on the way! I will respond with my customer audience when I get to that point! Thank you dear friend!
Lauren,
Great post! You really put yourself out there. I have the fear as well, and procrastination on top of that! Deadly combo, but I know that I will be able to overcome these things as long as I keep my WHY in sight! Best of luck in your journey!
Kelli
You are so right, Kelli. Although challenging, this is nothing we both can’t overcome.
Hey Lauren, Great post and I think writing about it and the comments are going to help you work it out 😊
I have heard this referred to as Paralysis by Analysis. Google will tell you…
It is a colloquial phrase used to describe the feeling of being unable to make a decision due to overthinking a problem. This often happens when you’re dealing with too many variables and continually researching solutions, instead of taking action and making a decision.
Many people experience it including myself. I tend to agree with Alan that the underlying reason for it is fear. Fear of what is different is different for each of and something we need to determine.
I related so well when you talked about feeling as though you have so much to say and yet you can’t seem to get it out, that you draw a blank, oohh how I feel that pain lol
I feel this so much in terms of sending emails. I said to myself just this morning why do I feel as though I have soooo much to say, soooo much I want to share and value I want to provide, yet I feel at a loss as to what to share, about how to even start. I draw total blanks about putting emails together. When I read you had a lot of emails already built I thought Wow that is sooo good.
So we all have something we are grappling with 🤪
I look forward to reading your next post to see how you have progressed.
You got this!
Aw, Karen… thank you. It does make a world of difference when you realize there are others that are right there with you… as you say, “we all have something we’re grappling with.” So true! If my post has shown me anything, it reaffirms that. Thank you for sharing as well and I’m so honored you did stop by!
You could start by making some tiny steps to follow. Have you chosen your platform yet? If so, you could get started by learning how to do thumbnails, whatever applies, etc. Your first video will likely be an introduction, which could be similar to your about page on your blog. Maybe starting with those small stepping stones would get you well on your way. And then, what to talk about in the future will probably make itself known. It’s great that you almost have too much to say. Consider how you would talk to yourself if you were just looking for ways to make money online. What did you learn? How did your dreams get sparked by affiliate marketing? And then, you can just share what you’re learning and how the process is going. In fact, not knowing how to begin would be a great first post on your platform. I’m sure many people can relate!
Thank you Nakina! All excellent suggestions! Baby steps and small goals may be the key. I never considered a first post being about not knowing to begin! Great idea!
Hi Lauren, we met briefly at the recent virtual event and we shared a bit about barriers to doing videos. I mentioned this was a problem for me as well and reading other comments here, I agree it has to do with fear of something. I am re-reading ‘Feeling the Fear and Do It Anyway’ to help overcome, what seems to be a common issue. What I am thinking of doing is chunking things into small pieces so perhaps start by writing down what to say and then record. You can of course delete until you’re happy…. Many people who do video point to the fact that they were terrible at the beginning and I think that’s a clue for me, not wanting to do badly, but in this case, I think that is exactly what needs to happen.
Thank you for sharing this, Eleanor! I accept your words humbly. I also agree that it’s likely a common issue for most of us… probably more common than people want to admit (I think that’s another thing that I gathered from this post – how many people have commented that they struggle with the same thing). I’m going to be following your progress as well and I look forward to seeing your very first video on your social channels!
Lauren, thanks so much for writing this. It really is a very important topic you have raised. You’re not the only one believe me I feel exactly the same as I’m sure many others do too. To be honest I felt like that when I started my blog, but I seem to have got over it and now, I’m writing quite consistently. It will probably be the same when I start my videos as it’s fear of looking silly or fear of what people will say or fear of probably what Family will say. I think it’s one of those things where you just have to do it. Things won’t be perfect everything won’t be aligned so you can’t wait until that happens you have to just do it. As for what you should do, because you can talk about anything like you say you probably feel lost. It’s like when you say let’s watch a film and there’s thousands of films to watch choosing one is just impossible, and then you end up, not watching anything. What I did with my blog was almost go in chronological order. I just started with what am I thinking what is my problem and why is life like that? So you could do a similar thing with your videos, just start by introducing yourself, a little bit about you and just say why are you doing this? I hope that helps and I know you will be absolutely fine it’s just opening night nerves. Thank you so much thanks, Atif
Atif Perwiz recently posted…Why should you be an Affiliate Marketer?
Thank you Atif. I appreciate your analogy. It seems so silly to even put out there that I have struggled with this, and you completely put it into perspective with the analogy of just “watching a film.” You are so right. And this is all just so silly. After all the feedback I have received from this post, there’s an underlying theme here: just do it. Start small, it doesn’t matter how it comes out, just do it. (Hey.. maybe Nike was on to something after all?)
Indecision paralysis is definitely a thing. I’ve seen it in a lot of other people – they have so many choices, they need to think about it, they do nothing. But I must admit it’s not something I suffer from.
My problem is I decide to do too many things, and I just can’t get them all done. The end result is practically the same. Nothing gets done.
When it comes to creating videos, or other content. I make a list of all the things I want to do. Often it will then be obvious which one I should start with. But if not I just decide to start with whatever one is at the top of the list, and don’t move on to the next thing till I get that one done.
Thank you Nathan. I am seeing a repeating theme here in the comments … “just start.” I knew this.. however it has helped to read it over again, and with all the encouragement people like you have shared in your comments. Thank you! I’m on my way to doing just that!
Hi Lauren,
I’ve heard this term all my life, especially when I tried to start my first marketing business. Analysis paralysis is common in everyone who has many ideas but can’t decide on one, thinking that the other is better, and so on. The best way to break this is by taking action, and understanding that there’s no such thing as perfection. The moment you take that first step, you’ll realize it’s much easier than you thought. So, go for it, start now with whatever you have in mind. That will be the best post, blog, or video you’ll ever create because that first step is what will open the doors to all the others. I wish you all the best in your career.
Ezequiel, I believe you are 100% correct… I have a feeling the moment I make my first post I’m going to want to create 100 more, because I’ll likely realize it wasn’t so bad.
Lauren,
I totally get where you’re coming from in this post—it resonates with me on so many levels, and I’m sure others can relate too! Making videos can be a bit nerve-wracking, right? When it’s time to hit that record button, I find myself freezing too. My go-to strategy is to jot down what I want to say, list my bullet points, and then roll with it. And hey, confession time: my first video took a whopping 12 tries! 😅 But guess what? It gets easier with each one. I’ve only tackled a few so far, but I can already feel the improvement. You’ve got this! Best of luck, and remember, You Can Do It!
Sherri
Sherri S Pulcino recently posted…Focus.
Thank you Sherri! This does really help me! I appreciate you sharing your experience… and it only gives me the encouragement to move to the next level!
You have just described ME! In my former “Corporate” life I made decisions all day long, every day – no problem! And now I am having trouble deciding what primary platform to use, how to use it, why to use it, etc…!!! Ughhhh! Okay, I just need to jump in, as they say, give it a try and see where it goes. But first I need to decide where to jump in, huh? 🙂 I wish you success! Fantastic post!
Love this, Ernie! I completely resonate! I opened and operated my private chiropractic practice for over a decade, overseeing all clinical, administrative, and marketing operations. And now I’m stuck on this seemingly insignificant (and easy) social media task. You almost have to laugh, don’t you? LOL. Thanks for sharing, Ernie!
Hi Lauren, you have a wonderful way of expressing your feelings on this subject. I think having read this that your potential for attracting your public is outstanding and inevitably you will succeed. I am not quite at this stage but will be tackling it soon. I wish you all the best and will be watching your undoubted great progress.
Andy
Andy, your comment simply makes my heart smile. Thank you for the kind words, it is genuinely and thoroughly appreciated.
Hi Lauren,
First of all, I do like your webpage a lot.
Regarding your post: My weakness is wanting to try all my available choices before deciding. I always want to investigate every single possibility or a combination of possibilities. So I get stuck in the research or testing mode for days, weeks or months before deciding on something.
Sometimes when I do decide on something, I always wonder if I could have made a better choice. For example, I’m planning on using search ads for my paid advertisements, but I notice most people here talk about Facebook or Tiktok, which make me doubt my decision.
I guess we all have our challenges
Alberto recently posted…Basic Affiliate Marketing Explanation
Indeed, Alberto, we all definitely have our challenges. I imagine life would be way too easy otherwise? If I’ve come to learn anything, not only in this affiliate marketing world but with life in general is, one person’s kryptonite may be another person’s strength. I guess that’s what makes the world go ’round.