Staying Afloat in the Information Flood

Time Management

Staying Afloat in the Information Flood
by Jeff Davidson



In today's over-information society, people often become frustrated when they can't keep up with everything they feel they should keep up with. This article explains that it's impossible to keep up, and gives tips for staying centered and relaxed in such a society.

As a professional speaker, I often address groups at annual conventions and conferences. I am no longer amazed at the ever-growing variety of professional associations that have been established and have thousands of members. Whether you believe it or not, there is a National Association of Sewer Service Companies, Cranial Academy, Medieval Academy of America, Society of Certified Kitchen and Bathroom Designers, Society of Wine Educators, and even an International Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo.

More people, more groups, more information generated, and where's it all leading? One result is that the amount of information competing for your time on a daily basis is taking a staggering toll. You may have an MBA, you may have ten years of management experience under your belt, and you may have read every book on time management--you still can't keep up. No one can. What hasn't been articulated is that over-information impacts your own sense of adequacy. More and more career professionals feel inadequate, as if they're supposed to be on top of it all.

Self-esteem is Not the Issue

If you feel any diminished sense of self-worth or self-esteem, ease up: this is a characteristic human response to over-exposure of stimuli. Feeling time-pressed today is not connected to how you were raised, a question of where you went to school, where you live, your profession, or who you married. Even individuals' who display high self-worth and high self-esteem, often have too much competing for their time and attention--they feel as if they are under extreme time pressure. Even people who set goals well will frequently feel overwhelmed.

If you can accept the notion that the dissipation of your career and personal time is not your fault, you're already well on the road to winning back that lost time.

Like Drinking From a Rain Barrel

Suppose you were extremely parched, and the only way you could quench your thirst was to lift a rain barrel and try to eke out a few sips at a time. This would be a difficult way to drink. If you take a small cup, stick it in the rain barrel, and extract a couple of ounces at a time, you could easily quench your thirst. When you attempt to take in the daily information deluge--everything that's flung your way--the predictable response is to drown in the information. Tackling new information, such as navigating the Internet, integrating another technology into your work routine, or assimilating other change, is smoother when you employ the basics. What are the basics?

1. Follow directions.

2. Take one step at a time.

3. Assess where you are every couple of steps.

4. Having determined that you are on the right path, continue.

At all times, your goal is to scoop out ingestible amounts of information or tackle work-able amounts of activities. Give up trying to stay on top of it all--this only ensures that you'll fall further behind. Nobody today can keep on top of everything, nor is the attempt worthwhile. What you can do, and this is quite a lot, is make choices about where you'll give your time and attention.

The pace at which information comes to you will accelerate each day for the rest of your life. Don't bite off more than you can chew, and recognize that sometimes the best response to too much competing for your time and attention is to simply slow down. Slow down so that you can surmise the best way to proceed.

The Virtue of Slowing Down

When I speak to audiences about these dilemmas and discuss potential solutions, I ask, "Do you want it fast, or do you want it to last?" Hereafter, I'd like you to begin practicing a new response when a lot is thrown at you: momentarily pause. I saw a clever book title which sums up the philosophy here, Don't Just Do Something, Sit There. Too often, the reflex to take action only exacerbates your time-pressure problems.


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Jeff Davidson, MBA, CMC, is a popular conference speaker and author of 28 books, including Breathing Space (Feb 2000). For books, videos, cassettes, or presentations, visit http://www.BreathingSpace.com, FAX (919) 932-9982, or call (919) 932-1996.