Paralysis by analysis:  Have you ever come to a situation where you needed to make a decision and you just didn't seem to be able to make progress?

Whether it is the start of a new business, to expand your product or service offerings, hire new employees, build a marketing plan, or just move forward with an idea, we have to make decisions.

Decisions create momentum. They create action.

Paralysis by analysis stops decisions in their tracks.  So we have to get rid of paralysis by analysis by deciding to make decisions – and to keep making them.

My grandfather used to say, “Right or wrong, you have to make a decision. And you need to stick with it with no regrets.” As time goes on, I think that his advice is more profound than ever.

There are others who share his philosophy.

In his book, “The Seven Decisions,” Andy Andrews shares this advice: “Successful people make their decisions quickly and change their mind slowly. Failures make their decisions slowly and change their mind quickly. My decisions come quickly, and they lead to victory.”

Brian Tracy is quoted as saying: “Decisiveness is a characteristic of high-performing men and women. Almost any decision is better than no decision at all.”

Lee Iacocca said, “If I had to sum up in one word what makes a good manager, I'd say decisiveness. You can use the fanciest computers to gather the numbers, but in the end you have to set a timetable and act.” He also said, “Get all the education you can, but then, by God, do something. Don't just stand there, make it happen.”

King Edward VIII of the United Kingdom was quoted as saying, “Decisiveness is a supreme law, because it gives you power to achieve your goals.”

Dick Cheney, former Vice President of the United States, declared, “Direct threats require decisive action.”

Mark Twain said, “Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions.”

Henry Becque accurately stated, “Decisiveness is often the art of timely cruelty.”

Napoleon Hill said, “The way to develop decisiveness is to start right where you are, with the very question you face.”

And someone wrote this profound quote: “Be decisive . . . The road of life is paved with flat squirrels who couldn't make a decision.”

Don't let paralysis by analysis stop you.

Decide.  Decide now.  Do decide often.  Don't stop deciding.

Go take the day.