TL;DR: Here’s how to deal with information overload: instead of stopping the consumption of information, try to engage and apply the knowledge you’ve found, so it fits into your framework. You may find that using this approach helps you make more progress than gorging yourself with the content itself does.
Our human brains are wired to understand and interpret the world. Computers can’t make meaning out of information yet. However, I’m excited to see where the future leads!
There is no problem with the quantity of information we have access to now, but rather how we process it.
After reading Tiago Forte’s post on his experiment on how he consumes content by immersing himself in another person’s body of work, I understood that by becoming intentional with our consumption, we could broaden our horizons, perspectives, and knowledge.
“We live in a special time when it’s become so easy to create content, and so effortless to document and share one’s story online, that there are more leaders and artists and innovators than ever whose journey you can time travel through.” – Tiago Forte.
Sometimes we consume online content in an ineffective way. Some of us scroll through our social media, skimming headlines and pictures while stopping on anything that catches our eye. We save articles we want to read later or catch up on at some undefined point in the future. We tab through pages open in our browser, scanning words and absorbing little.
Whenever you learn new things, your brain needs time to assimilate and make connections to what you already know. If you do not give it enough time, your brain will have a hard time remembering anything new. That’s when information overload strikes.
The solution is not to avoid consuming content but to interact with it differently. Asking questions about what you read, watch or listen to helps you understand and apply ideas more effectively. While you’re reading, watching or listening, stop once in a while and ask yourself what it means for you or what it tells you about yourself.
Three strategies to deal with information overload:
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Write it down:
Write down your thoughts when you notice something interesting, which is probably the best technique for forgetful people like me. When you put your thoughts in your Second Brain, you can be sure that you will not forget anything important.
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Do something with it:
It’s easy to let your mind fill with information and not use it. Each bit of information you encounter is an opportunity for you to take action. Organize it and turn it into knowledge you can use.
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Become a participant:
Experimenting with what you’ve learned helps you to remember it better. If you’re learning something new, try it out in the real world. Find someone to talk to discuss it or even teach it.
Asking questions as you read or encounter information helps you process it meaningfully.
Become more curious rather than look for confirmation. Curiosity helps us “step back“ and notice more. It dissolves the bubble we unconsciously create around ourselves. It helps us escape our perspectives and see the world from other peoples’ points of view, allowing us to find and apply any new insights.
In short, I urge you to try applying information instead of simply consuming it. It may not work in every situation and still isn’t a fit for everyone, but I found it a beneficial approach to dealing with information overload.
