4 Ways To Fight Information Overload

It’s Making Us Dumb…

Every 48 hours, 2000 years worth of content is created.

According to weforum.org, by the year 2025 it’s estimated that 463 exabytes of data will be created every single day.

That’s like watching 212,765,957 DVDS per day!

Technology was supposed to help make our lives simpler. Access to information was supposed to help make us smarter. But instead we’re short circuiting and becoming more distracted than ever.

And most of that information is crap… and we are overloaded with snippets, but fail to go deep.

In fact it’s the biggest reason I see people fail at business or marketing, whether it’s using our products, or anyone else’s.

I just fired a customers…

Why?

Because he complained 2 hours of training a week was TOO MUCH!? Seriously…!?

Becoming a doctor takes 40-50 hours a week for YEARS, yet these morons think that 2 hours a week is too much to learn a business model that pays more!

People over value the need for something to be explained concisely, with the need to learn something deeply.

If there’s an expert who’s written his life’s work in a book or a course, then as much as I want the quick fix… I know if I want to absorb his teachings I need to read the full book.

Doctors don’t learn from summaries, they learn from textbooks, dedicated action and long lectures because deep knowledge requires effort and focus… and it’s true for ANY profession.

Go figure why most people fail – they want the summary… and the worst thing is I even hear this from successful business owners… EVERYBODY wants a short cut… It’s the TLDR (too long didn’t read) culture.

Yet at the same time successful people say they persevere, put in the time, read books, attend seminars, and so on. Yet at the same time also fall into the trap of wanting the summary.

If you are doing marketing you know you need to catch your audience with snippets, with the hop you can draw them in to focus later… but as a successful business owner or profesional you know you need to go deep, and the snippets will never cut it.

But with so much choice, so many options, and so much we want to do, we over-commit, take on too much, feel stressed, overwhelmed, and start more things than we can finish…

There’s too much information everywhere.

So how can you combat this and become more productive in your life and business?

4 Ways To Fight Information Overload:

1. Unplug From The Screen

This is easier said than done. Companies like Facebook specifically hire people to make their sites addictive. Deploying psychological tactics similar to gambling to keep you glued to the screen.

If the lure of sites like Facebook are too much for you, then I suggest using apps on your phone to lock down your screen or even use browser apps like Kill News Feed, or Leechblock, uninstalling apps, logging out of accounts etc. and staying off devices.

I was the last person I knew of 100s of people to not get a smartphone… in the end I had to do it… but the benefits of more features and info was a big trade off for my focus. Recognize the HUGE damage your computer and phone do to you.

Getting away from the screen helps your mind to reset and you’ll be able to think clearly and make better decisions. It is also proven your brain needs this time to come up with ideas and destress.

Also, when it’s time to get away from the screen, go do something completely unrelated like taking a walk. I know of people who shut down technology on one day like Sunday, go out in nature and it’s done wonders for them.

I do my best to have time set aside each day away from screens, and one day a week away from screens too. It’s not just a nice idea it’s a proven physical requirement to stay healthy and avoid illness, anxiety and depression.

2. Put Your Thoughts On Paper

While the subconscious mind is infinite, the conscious mind has its limitations. Therefore, it’s vital that you give the information in your mind a place to go.

Not doing so can be similar to trying to run too many programs on your computer while having 1,000 tabs open at the same time.

One thing that can help is writing 3 pages a day, preferably when you first wake up. It doesn’t have to be anything specific. Doing so helps clear the mind, remove anxiety and helps to get clarity about your goals and vision.

If that is too much then simply write down 3 things you did yesterday, and 3 things to do today… this is a ritual I stick too (and my team holds me accountable too).

3. Get Some Sleep

It’s been studied that sleep can have a profound effect on your brain. By getting adequate rest, you can sharpen your memory, boost your mood, clear bad toxins, focus on everyday tasks, and make better overall decisions.

I track my sleep and know what effects it, and what gives me the best rest. I am not perfect and have bad habits, but by tracking it has improved. The bedroom is for sex and sleep… nothing else… no TV, no mobile. Occasionally I cheat and read a book.

Making mistakes happens more when you’re tired. So go ahead and shut down the computer and your mobile device. That video, post, or tweet can wait. 😉

4. Choose wisely & commit to long form content not drips… and follow with action

The issue people have with information overload is they let info come to them… they let Facebook or an app drip feed them some info… rather than choosing to commit to longer form content like books, long boring courses, and 3 hour podcasts.

Those drips of info is melting and dripping away your brain… but that long form content goes deep, and if you commit to following it with action then you think carefully about what you read.

For a long time with every book I read I always ensured I took action on at least one thing. Even this morning I listened to a chapter of an audiobook and applied it’s lessons the same day (and probably will for the rest of my life).

What about you?

Do you have any specific methods that help aid in fighting information overload? Which ones have you tried?

Comment below and let me know what’s been working for you.

Reynolds