On average, every single day, I see from 10-20+ interesting threads, projects, ideas, blogs, substacks, books, videos, newsletters, seminars, websites, podcasts, social media platforms, interviews, reviews, music, group chats, zoom events, poetry readings, online book launches, news updates, mailing lists, and so on, that I would love to explore, and perhaps, pursue. On average.
Does anyone else find this slightly overwhelming?
Admittedly, most options go by the wayside, simply because I have my own projects to focus on, and time is always sailing by. Even if I don’t click and read and truly ponder my level of interest, I still have to decide to delete, save, or consider whatever is in front of me. Decision-making is tiring, as studies have suggested, and toward the end of the day, we may not have any energy left for such things. Yet, the “lovely” flood of information persists.
In many ways, though, it’s good to have so many options, so many trails to follow. It can lead to a varied and substantial existence with opportunities everywhere to learn, to grow, and to participate.
“Are you filling your head with empty calories?” ― Frank Sonnenberg,
Soul Food: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life
But we all need a few tips for managing the steady flow of information … for easing our frustration.
- Create a temporary folder for email; anything that “might” be useful someday goes there.
- Focus interests and sharpen priorities.
- Limit time spent chasing this and that–exploring the latest, the newest, the best.
- Invest real energy and time in your top three interests–participate, contribute, share, and so on.
- When you hit your limit, delete everything in your email temp folder; turn off your cell, your desktop, for at least a day.
- Share what you’re learning with others; it makes your time investment more meaningful.
- Reserve the first two hours of each day for things that simply can’t wait.
- Consider meditation and/or exercise to keep everything in perspective.
- Every 90 days review everything you signed up for or subscribed to, revise as needed.
- Say no at least once a day.
- Develop an easy system to rate your true level of interest in something. Avoid getting drawn into conversations, or pursuing more information when you really don’t care about the subject matter.
- Build some silence into each day.
Controlling what comes into our awareness each day is challenging, without a doubt. And there are no signs of it getting any easier. But if we can master a few self-management tools, we can create comfortable limits and boundaries that aren’t terribly restrictive. Consider scheduling a meeting with yourself at least once a month to see how you’re feeling about the inflow of info into your life. Change what isn’t working, don’t let it drag on. Cancel, drop, unsubscribe. It’s okay, totally okay. ~
“Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”
― George Bernard Shaw
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