Whether it’s because it’s broadly available, or because it’s often so easily attainable or because it feels like it’s going to help me in some way, I’m an information junkie. But lately, more is not as helpful as a little. A little information can help to go deeper and even wider. As an introvert, that’s often my preference. Too much information can create a feeling of overwhelm often making moving forward a challenge. There are at least three areas, with too much information coming in from what seems like everywhere, cutting back can be of help on the way to an enlightened release.
Ezine newsletters. For the most part some of these help me get the best of information I can find on any particular subject of interest. But sometimes too much is self-defeating. Last year I joined a 90-day challenge and my top goal was to declutter my office and my email. What I found with my subscriptions was astonishing! Over time I had subscribed to so much which at this point in my life and career, has less relevance. Ezines were the first area that I pulled the lever back on information overload. I looked at every email subscription carefully for those 90 days. Six months later, I have only about 25% of the email I used to get. The helpfulness in reducing that overwhelming feeling is benefit enough.
Self-talk. I tend to communicate with people in the way they tend to communicate with me. It’s something almost anyone is sales wants to know and do. For example, I usually prefer the telephone. However, many people answer my telephone call with – a text or an email. It’s important I’m in synch with them so being aware of the subtlety of how they respond is important. My reply back is in their preferred manner. Self-talk that starts like “I wonder why they aren’t calling back?” can lead to more and more judging and criticism and then there starts self-imposed overwhelm. Negative thoughts start sprouting in my head and that can be overwhelming. What in-synch communication does, when it works, is relieve me of wondering why someone isn’t responding to me, even though I know, it’s just not all about me. Better to stop the headache sooner than later by paying attention.
Networking. Whether it’s online or in-person my networking I’m networked beyond working the net. Everyday I get an invitation from someone to join another network. One of my best online friends has the philosophy that joining every one you find, or get invited to, gives you the chance to be seen elsewhere online. For me, it just means more people shoving their virtual business card in my hand. Networking has over time been, and continues to be, more of a me-first focused conversation, whether it’s in-person or online. At some point it’s important to stop and assess, where can you add the most value for others? How do you know if you are networking too much? Stop and check: are you getting enough return on your time and energy investment?
These are just three areas to consider where more, may not be a good thing. Often we convince ourselves that by listening to that teleseminar, to keep on communicating in the same way with prospective client, or by attending one more networking event that week, that all of this, is a good thing.
Stop and consider, if you don’t take care of the overwhelm, how can you take care of yourself or be of best value to anyone else? Stop, assess and do something to release.
What about you? Do you find an area where you keep on adding on that makes you overwhelmed? Have you found a way to minimize this and instead, release from it?
Good article Pat!
Have never had the habit of subscribing to a multitude of newsletters and other information. Am however flooded by members of Linkedin spamming me with unsolicited offers that I mark as spam and phising scam.
Networking is fantastic. But you have to chose the right forums both on and off-line. If not you will waste A LOT of time.
When it comes to, I quote you, “I tend to communicate with people in the way they tend to communicate with me. It’s something almost anyone is sales wants to know and do” it’s essential and should be done. Having said that it’s not a good idea to link that to negativity. But if a customer doesn’t get back to you it’s in your interest to try to figure out why. It can lead to sales if you get it right.
Pat — this post is very timely. I’ve decided that I have too many darn subscriptions, newsletters, magazines, etc. flooding into my email box. I’m in the process of cancelling many of them. Half the time I don’t read them anyway because I don’t have time.
I have just started doing some of this very thing – sorting out the good and useful from the stuff I will never look at. Very good advice. 🙂
I could not agree with you more Pat. But strangely, the ‘unsubscribe button’ to all subscriptions that one may wish to opt out of doesn’t always work —- Murphy’s law or deliberate tricks — I don’t know. In such cases, I simply filter it out as spam so that it doesn’t hit my inbox.
I can also understand the importance of communication in the manner and medium of the person you wish to connect with. Thanks for your insights.
Jeannette, so GLAD you mentioned all the other information we get: magazines and the like! It’s a lot cheaper to get your teeth cleaned regularly than to have root canal – not to MENTION the pain. You’ll find you have both time and energy by taking care of this “too darn many” off things now.
Catarina I’d betcha YOU are a rarity with such self discipline! Discipline is certainly something I could do better with when it comes to information junkie habits. Thanks for the inspiration.
Lubna, when those unsubscribe buttons don’t work what do you do? I email the sender. If that doesn’t work I try again the next time around and usually by a third email, I’m off an running! Maybe you are on to something: MAKE it spam! Love that idea.
GeekGirl everyone has to start somewhere. There’s just so much time in our day and even if it sits in our inbox or mail box, it’s a distraction. Thanks.
Hi Patricia,
I understand what you mean and it was sometime last year I believe that I just unsubscribed to so many of the newsletters that I was signed up for. That’s why I also don’t get upset when someone unsubscribes from mine too. We just have way too much stuff coming in our inbox.
I prefer the phone too. I ask for people’s phone numbers when they opt into my list because I just want to call and say Hi. Introduce myself and let them know I’m a real live person. I think that’s important in the online world today which is why this helps with networking and building those relationships. People just don’t want to connect anymore I believe.
These are definitely ways you can overwhelm yourself, I agree. Hopefully your tips sure will help others.
Thanks a bunch and enjoy your week.
~Adrienne
Susan I think you’ve nailed it: do we pay attention to what we know is a waste of time?
We likely all have our own standards and values. So if we do pay attention to that little voice in our head it will steer us better.
What I did during my 90 day challenge that focused me on declutter, including email, if any subscription – catalog, ezine, newsletter, whatever – sat in my inbox for more than 2 weeks, it got the delete button. I mean REALLY, 2 weeks? By then we’re not in Kansas any more these days are we?
Thanks!
Enjoyed this post Pat. I recently realized that I had subscribed to so many ezines that there wasn’t enough time to read them all. Since then, I’ve been unscribing to things I know aren’t essential and it’s really helped me focus.
I think I’m there. I work very hard at getting the word out there about my blog. I have joined things I shouldn’t have, I comment on blogs that never seem to notice me and then there is all the time I give to helping others. Where do you draw the line? I think that we really do know the answer to that. We just need to pay attention that little voice in our heads that say HUMM… this isn’t good use of your time. I am learning to separate what is a good return of my time from time wasters. I am seriously looking a my emails and weeding out the superfluous. It isn’t easy but wish me luck. If you have any suggestions I am certainly all ears.
Hi Patricia, I really like the “in email box for two week”. That is good indicator for me to use. Thanks for the idea. :)))
Great info, Patricia. I’m an info junkie too, and am always unsubscribing from mailing lists but somehow more appear with info I think will make me that million. It’s so difficult to ignore such temptation!
I find networking a total time waster, in person. Guess I’m just not engaging enough. More often than not, the person I’m talking to and trying to get them to tell me how I can help them, they’re looking over my shoulder for someone more interesting. Went through this for a few years before deciding I was wasting my time. Now I network online with those interested in the same things as I am.
Keep up the good work!
Moreen Torpy
De-Clutter Coach
http://www.goforwarddownsize.com
I hear you about the in-person networking! Some people are like sharks with it, aren’t they?
Thanks.
Thank you Pat! There was me thinking I should be superwoman somehow and reply to everything and follow everything and wondered why after writing, online networking and the usual things life throws at us everyday I was running out of hours in the day!
Time to de-clutter!
I swear decluttering both your physical space and internet space (emails) does wonders to be like a day extender! Thanks Claire.