Coaching Corner: Analyze This!

By Master Coach Marilou Butcher Roth

I often find myself in a space where I am analyzing a situation, perhaps a little too much. Anybody else? Somehow, I doubt I am hanging out here by myself.

Perhaps you are unsure if you fall into this category. Here are some clues that may indicate you are indeed part of the analyzers club:

• You spend way too much time tossing an issue around in your head, without finding any solution or shift.
• You create stories around the issue without factual evidence; you may even take yourself to worst-case scenarios, which do not feel good.
• Everything seems very serious.
• You find yourself in judgment - this might be regarding anything or anyone.
• You awaken during the night with your mind racing and find it difficult to go back to sleep.

There may be other flavors that you individually find that fit the bill. I am not saying that thinking is wrong; it’s when it becomes troublesome that something needs to change.

What can you do to alleviate this “analysis paralysis?" Here are some ideas that have worked for me, and there are countless other ways that you may find work for you:

• Stay out of the stories and assumptions! Ask yourself if you know for certain that the tale you have woven is absolutely true.
• Get your thoughts down on paper - sometimes, just getting them out of your head can be extremely helpful.
• Find things to appreciate - this can be anything: the weather, your lunch, etc. The more you can find to enjoy, the less toll your thoughts will have on you.
• Here is another that may seem odd, yet it has worked beautifully for me - imagine a gauge of some kind in your head that represents your analyzer. Mine looks like a thermometer. Let yourself notice (you probably want to close your eyes for this) where the thermometer registers. Is it all the way up? Or perhaps it's at 75%. Whatever you see at first glance is perfect - do NOT overanalyze this one! Now, mentally bring the percentage down as low as you can. You can do this as often as you feel you need/want to.

Lastly, throughout all of this, remember to be gentle with yourself. Our brains are our allies and can work beautifully in our favor. Try not to push them to the extreme unnecessarily.

Marilou Butcher Roth

Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.

Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.

Contact Marilou at  to see if coaching is right for you.

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