I guess I was overloaded yesterday and missed Information Overload Awareness Day! Thankfully, Beth Kanter wasn’t. Take a quick hop over to her tips. And don’t be overwhelmed by the number of the tips. (Little evil grin)
Today is Information Overload Awareness Day. The purpose is to call attention to the problem of Information Overload, how it impacts both individuals and organizations, and what can be done to lessen its impact.
Here’s one way you might celebrate. Take my information overload quiz. Look at your score and ask yourself the following reflection questions. Then pick one idea to reduce information overload in your life from this list.
I don’t know what shifted, but in the last four months, I seem to be able to let more of the “information stream” pass me by without becoming worried. I take that as a good sign. But this fear, this sense of having to “master” it all is common amongst peers and clients, so having a strategy is important.
Photo credit: verbeeldingskr8
I must be very relaxed. I check my rss feed about once a day and have the list pared to sites (like this one) that are of real use. Email is asynch, so if people use it they must recognize there may be hours of delay. If they need me immediately they need to use the phone or sms.
I can’t think or focus with interruptions so I basically work without net for at least half of the day. Long walks in the local woods are part of thinking and reflecting and, although I carry my iphone, I rarely use it on walks.
This works out much better than being in touch and being obsessive about connections and information. I can’t think and multitask or context switch.
Your brain has evolved! Mine has too. But the people I’m working with – it’s a big concern. I think it is part of shifting from working in towers to clouds.