Overcome the digital information overload with a simple formula
If you’re like me, you – with the best of intentions – save snippets from the web, have far too many browser tabs open, use @savetonotion hacks, or have a robust “Read This Later” backlog.
But hoarding, even in the digital sense, is a tax on our mental state. Like offering too many options for our customers, when we have too many distractions, pieces to read later, or notifications vying for our attention, we don’t decide. We stagnate.
Instead, to get unstuck from the mental overload, consider two buckets:
- This pertains to my task/job/product/position/plan now
- This is interesting, but not for right now
File the second away, address the first now.
If it is truly relevant to your current position, then it is a justified read. Well worth your time to seek improvement.
If it is casually interesting, or an idea for a future product, you can come back to it on the weekend, when you are looking for inspiration, or starting a new project.
The worst mistake is to combine the two lists. This will inevitably lead to feelings of overwhelm, discouragement, and deflation.
The opposite of inspiration and productivity.
Read this later, but not if it is relevant now.
All the best,
-Shaun
PS, some tools I have found extremely useful in this exercise are:
- Heyday (like your own personal Google, allowing you to search any tab you’ve opened)
- Toby (save or store select tabs in folders for use later)
I’m so thankful you’re here. If you are a new reader, try checking out this popular post that was previously shared with other passionate people like you: