6 Problems That Analytical People Face
The downsides to being a logical, left-brained person.
Analytical people are driven by inquiry and curiosity. They observe the world around them as a problem waiting to be solved.
These inquisitive minds face the world with logic and reason. As they are confronted by obstacles, they are excited by the opportunity to troubleshoot and find solutions.
When exploring the difference between analytical and holistic personality types, this research found the following variation unique to analytical thinkers:
“Analytic thinking is characterized by a tendency to focus primarily on objects and their attributes. Analytic thinkers tend to distinguish focal objects or people from their contexts, ascribe causality to objects or actors, explain objects and social events on the basis of formal logic, predict future events in a clear manner, eschew contradiction (and favor synthesis), and categorize objects taxonomically.”
The Duality of Analytical Thinkers
According to the research stated above, there is a variety of positive words integrated into the definition of an analytical thinker. The research utilized words such as formal, logic, predict, clear, categorize, and distinguish.
These sound like fantastic words that you would want to include on your resume when applying to a new position.
Despite the logical functioning of an analytical personality type, there is a burden that each of them must carry daily. It is a heavy responsibility to constantly create diagnostics within daily life.
Here are the 6 Problems that Analytical People Face:
1. Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue is the inability to decide due to an overload of a person’s brain and previous decisions they have already made. When an analytical person is in the pursuit of answers and logic, they struggle to find an answer to simple questions.
Their subconscious wants to debate the facts of whether or not that person is making the right decision. There is a battle happening in their brain for every small detail they have to decide on.
Another term for this analysis paralysis. When there is unlimited access to information and research at the fingertips of society, the act of overthinking small details can feel unbearable at times.
According to Psychologist, Barry Schwartz, he has a theory that “too many choices limits one’s freedom.” He labels this theory the Paradox of Choice.
This is a common issue for many people in Western society, but there is an argument to claim that analytical thinkers struggle with the paralysis of making decisions even more. They magnify each, singular element to decision making — even if it is simple.
2. High Standards
Analytical people care deeply about the quality of their output. This involves their product, business, relationships, service, etc. As they work their way through daily tasks, the small attention to detail correlates directly to the quality of what they produce. They have high standards.
When an analytical person holds themselves to these high standards, it is natural for them to hold those same expectations on the people in their social circle. Whether it is their colleague, family member, spouse, or friend — they expect the best of them because that is what they expect of themselves.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the same perspective on what high standards are. This can lead to disappointment and bitterness to the analytical type of person. They set themselves up with high expectations to be let down by others. This could cause friction and resentment in relationships.
On the other hand, having incredibly high standards that analytical people place upon themselves can be emotionally draining. There is a fear of disappointment or failure involved with not being perfect. This is exhausting. An unintended consequence of high standards is an internal discontent with oneself.
3. Addicted to Information
Cycling back to the idea of constant information at every citizen’s fingertips, an analytical person has immediate access to answers with the use of the internet. This sounds like a positive experience. If an analytical person wants to fall into their curiosity, they should have the freedom to find clarity — right?
According to the research published in Current Psychiatry Reviews, Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) is a developing addiction disorder. Someone who is addicted to the internet faces the following side effects:
“It is accompanied by changes in mood, preoccupation with the Internet and digital media, the inability to control the amount of time spent interfacing with digital technology, the need for more time or a new game to achieve a desired mood, withdrawal symptoms when not engaged, and a continuation of the behavior despite family conflict, a diminishing social life and adverse work or academic consequences.”
Now, not all analytical thinkers are destined to fall into information addiction, but it is important to realize that analytical thinkers are more likely to seek out answers.
There is an internal compulsion to resolve any curiosity that settles in their mind. They accidentally find themselves being sucked into various rabbit holes.
They perceive finding new information as a reward system.
“And just as our brains like empty calories from junk food, they can overvalue information that makes us feel good but may not be useful — what some may call idle curiosity.”
4. Always Skeptical
Being that analytical thinkers create their understanding of life from facts, logic, and reason, they steer away from information that requires conviction and faith alone. If there is a lack of evidence to support a claim, their initial response is going to be skepticism. They want to avoid nonsense.
The first thought that comes to people’s minds with skepticism is religion, philosophy, and morality. Although this is true, skepticism can leak into other — simpler — facets of life as well.
The skepticism they hold can lead to mistrust and a lack of credibility within their personal relationships, working environments, and daily decision-making.
“Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep thoughts can be winnowed from deep nonsense.” Carl Sagan
Analysts struggle with balancing their skepticism with their paranoia. There is nothing inherently wrong with questioning the world, but what is the finite line that separates scrutinizing information between becoming distrustful of the world in general?
5. Introverted and Reserved
Analytical people are generally more introverted and desire to be by themselves. They receive their positive energy from processing information within their own brains. A University of Iowa study finds that the brain activity of introverts deviates from the brain activity of extroverts:
“introverts have more activity in the frontal lobes of the brain and anterior, or front, thalamus. These areas are activated when a person’s brain takes on internal processing such as remembering, problem solving and planning.”
Sometimes outsiders perceive introverts as people who do not care about others or are disconnected from the social norms. Reserved introverts are commonly labeled as people who are difficult to communicate with and lack social cues.
Although they may not be implicitly shy, analytical people might struggle with the internal lack of confidence that stems from their introversion. There is a familiar feeling among introverts that they are easily forgotten. They enjoy their own company with their own thoughts.
6. Wanting to Solve Problems for Loved Ones
The way that analytical thinkers approach problems is founded on logic, and it is not influenced by emotion. They typically do not allow their mental state to impact how they perceive negative situations.
They deconstruct the issues and find reasonable solutions. While some may believe this is a dispassionate way to see the world, it makes sense to them as they overcome their problems.
There are situations where loved ones seek out a listening ear when they are going through personal problems. When an emotionally charged loved one approaches an analytical thinker, it is unnatural for that analytical person to just — listen. They want to hear the facts of the problem and help the person find a solution. That is their version of helping.
“Everyone needs both emotional support and practical help. Neither one is right or wrong, better or worse. The trick is knowing what is needed at any given moment and finding the right balance of listening and helping.”
Sometimes, someone wants to vent without judgment or feedback. They need to verbalize their problems to feel better, and they want emotional support. Someone who has an analytical personality can unintentionally make someone feel worse by trying to “solve their problem” instead of listening to their problem. This doesn’t make sense to an analyst. Why approach them if you don’t want their advice? They want to give practical help.
In Conclusion
The 6 Problems That Analytical People Face Are:
- Decision Fatigue
- High Standards
- Addicted to Information
- Always Skeptical
- Introverted and Reserved
- Wanting to Solve Problems for Loved Ones
As analytical thinkers galivant the world seeking data, organization, ideation, and metrics, they have a strong, mental burden to endure. A lot is going on in their mental space.
Analytical people are complex creatures that give back to their careers and relationships tenfold when given the chance. They are realistic, logical, and factual. They bring reason into the conversation.
In a world where there is a storm of false information, we need analytical people.
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