Why smart people stay stuck in research mode

A university colleague recently confided in me that she was in the midst of organizing a workshop. She had invested in several books about workshop facilitation, drafted a spreadsheet forecasting attendance based on various scenarios, and was currently weighing different ticketing platforms. However, she had yet to extend an invitation to any participants.

We discussed how the pursuit of knowledge in itself can be rewarding, but at times, preparation can consume more time than the actual task. This endless research can keep us preoccupied while critical questions linger, such as whether there will be interest in our offering and if our abilities are up to the task. Psychologists identify this as a problem of overthinking, but research identifies several nuances and overlapping tendencies that make gathering information feel more comfortable and safer than taking action.

One such tendency is maximizing, where individuals seek the best possible choice, leading them to explore multiple alternatives before making a decision. Research can also serve as a form of avoidance, as the task we're avoiding may expose us to rejection, uncertainty, or embarrassment, whereas reading about it does not. Additionally, the act of thinking itself can be gratifying, with people higher in the need for cognition enjoying sustained mental effort and being less inclined to change their approach under time pressure.

Consequently, the research phase of a project can be particularly enticing to linger in, as mapping possibilities and comparing approaches can prove more satisfying than the practical work of bringing an idea to fruition. This tendency to linger in research mode is not exclusive to professional projects; it can also manifest when exploring new hobbies or attempting to alter habits.

Individuals may spend weeks learning about a subject without ever putting their knowledge into practice and experiencing it firsthand. To transform research into action, three straightforward steps can be taken: first, assess what is already known; second, conduct a small experiment, such as inviting a few people to a pilot workshop for a set period to gather real-world data; and finally, reflect on the outcomes before deciding on subsequent steps.

While good research aids in making better decisions, certain questions can only be answered through real-world data. By adopting an experimental mindset, researchers can gather evidence about what works and what doesn't, allowing them to determine what further research is needed. It's possible that subsequent experiments may lead back to more research, this time with a clearer understanding of the desired information. However, each experiment brings progress in advancing one's idea.