Overcoming Information Overload

Overcoming Information Overload

You have to admit that nowadays, especially in this so called new "digital age", where information is such a hot commodity, ours minds are continuously being assaulted, attacked or bombarded with various types of information from every possible direction and various forms of communications. So it is hardly surprising to see and hear that more and more people are becoming information overloaded.

In fact, information overload can have such a significant effect on a person mental state, which if serious can lead to depression, extreme anxiety, the inability to make decisions, mood swings, violence, increased blood pressure, Cardiovascular relates stress, with the worst case scenario being a complete mental breakdown.

So what can one do about it...?

Well firstly, you must evaluate whether you are the cause of your own information overload problems or whether it is inflicted upon you or influenced by others. Once you have established what the main causes are, then you must ask yourself personally, what can I do to reduce it?

For example:

If your mobile phone is continuously buzzing with messages or it is continuously ringing non-stop - maybe it is time to consider putting it on silence. Or even better, if you are like me, who simply cannot bear it, especially during periods when one is completely focused or is in a mental state of deep concentration, or relaxation - then switch it off. Yes, it may annoy those who continuously call or contact you because you do not answer the phone immediately, but you'll be amazed at what such a slight change can do to improve your life.

Why? By leaving your phone on loud, you are allowing yourself to be engrossed in other people's daily social issues and neglecting your own, which then leads you to be distracted, and feeling rushed to get your own business sorted at the end of the day. Therefore, by temporarily switching it off or putting it on silent, you are allowing some time for yourself to conduct your daily tasks and you are also allowing your mind, eyes and ears to rest.

However, it's not as simple as that, because there are people who constantly leave their television sets on. Worst of all, it's always on the News 24 Channel which doesn't really help matters either. The reason? Having the TV on causes a distraction, and by blaring out news, you are allowing yourself to be immersed in world affairs which are constantly repeated relentlessly.

The ideal solution is that if you really want to keep up to date with the latest news, tune in at the main broadcast time or allow yourself one hour only. By doing this, you will have significantly dropped your level of intake in information; you will feel less stressed out and for once, you may even be happier too because you don't have to listen to the negativity that seems to be happening. Not only that, you will also be helping to environment by saving energy as well as your own pocket. Surely that can only be regarded as a win-win situation.

Another method to reduce information overload, is reducing junk mail. Whenever you sign up for something, make sure your read the small prints as hidden within, there is usually a tick box option asking if you want to be on that particular company or business mailing list.

Then again, some companies don't offer this option, but you can request to have your name removed, albeit some may involve lengthy procedures. One thing's for sure is that it would reduce the risk of your own personal information data being sold to others and misused.

Obviously, there are many other ways to reduce information overload such as reducing your time spent on websites which provide no value, or cut back time on reading emails that are irrelevant, taking information one piece at a time, and if possible, devote some time each day or each week doing something your enjoy, or time to spend with family, or even better, take days off from information.

To take a day off from information, it would mean switching off your phones, your television, forget about logging in to your email, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or any other social networking accounts, no internet surfing, no newspapers. Just basically, switch off communication with the outside world. For those who say, you can't live your phones, or you can't miss your favourite television program, then try and at least reduce your interaction with it to the bare minimum.

For example, previously to when I first started writing this book, I would have had my phone on everyday, logged into Facebook every couple of hours, and checked my emails 6 times a day and pretty much spent hours on news and review sites and you could even say an internet addict. Now though, my phone is completely switched off, I only check my emails twice a day and I only log into my Facebook account every 2 or 3 days of which I then also limit myself to spending no more than 10 minutes each session.

Not only that, I even managed to quit using Msn Messenger for an entire 2 months and now I only ever log on if it's absolutely necessary. I've even taken drastic action to reducing the hours of I spend on the internet, and no more than 5 hours per week of TV. Harsh and crude that the above steps I have taken may seem, it has certainly helped my mind focused on what I want to achieve, and I feel like I am no longer, a victim of being overload with information anymore.

Seriously, you'll be amazed by the time you free up of which you can then use to enjoy doing the activities you want i.e. hobbies, a lovely drive in the countryside, having time to spend with family, being able to visit places you want, and time to just simply....relax. Try it today and see what difference it can make.

Oh and a touch of willpower is necessary!

If you are interested in finding out more about self-help, understanding of life, inspirational, Motivational posts like "Overcoming Information Overload", why not check out his blog at: [http://nigelyip.com/] or if you prefer...

Why not check out his latest book entitled I.M.Mentality - Purifying Your Mind For Success!!! Which can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/im-mentality-ny or on Amazon from January 2010 onwards!

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_(By N Yip).