Information Overload

Are you suffering from information overload? Chances are, if you are spending any length of time online, and particularly if you are starting an internet business, you are bombarded with so much information your head spins. Each day brings a barrage of emails, possibly as high as 75 to 100 of them. Many of the websites you visit interrupt your train of thought with popups. You are promised free information, but only if you sign up to be on their mailing list. The result is tons of email that you can’t possibly read.

Then there are RSS feeds blinking for your attention. Your cell phone may be loaded with tons of text messages. Your TV has 200 channels to choose from; your local magazine store has well over 1000 magazines.

The phrase “information overload” was coined in 1970 by Alvin Toffler in his book Future Shock. It refers to having too much information to make a decision. New information is thrown at you at a rate too fast to absorb.

In particular, information overload can be a problem to you if you are trying to start an internet business. Each so-called guru wants you to subscribe to their newsletter or read their 300 page manual. Like a child in a candy store, you may wonder – which should I choose? Who should I believe? And how can you make an intelligent choice without reading some of the massive information that is put in front of you? The more manuals you read, the more conflicting and contradictory information you are likely to run across.

The result is mass confusion, another way to say information overload.

I hate to think how many newcomers to internet marketing give up simply from this sense of overload and confusion.

It doesn’t have to be that way. You can tame the beast. Here are some suggestions for dealing with information overload.

Set time limits. If you have a goal of making money, don’t spend all your time reading emails and web surfing. Set a time limit for these tasks and stick to them.

Take charge of your time. Recognize that the choice of which messages to respond to or delete unread lies with you. Pay attention to the choices you are making and change them if you have to.

Establish deadlines. Any emails you haven’t read after a certain period of time should be deleted unread.

Recognize you can’t look at everything. Start thinning out some of what is causing you overload. Quickly unsubscribe to newsletters that aren’t really helping you. Throw away items you get in the mail that you aren’t ever going to look at anyway.

Stay focused. Pick one direction and focus on going in that direction. Master one technique before moving onto the next. Many people like to choose one guru, and follow the suggestions of that person and only that person.

Don’t give up. Above all, don’t let information overload take away your dreams. Take a breath, slow down. This is one of many battles you are going to win.