5 Ways to Prevent Information Overload When Working From Home

One of the real problems we have when we work from home is how to deal with all the information at our disposal. Being connected 24/7 causes information overload.

Here’s the deal whenever we try to improve what we do or learn something new we turn to researching the topic. While we generally think that the information that is only a push-button away is a good thing it does cause confusion for us; too much information impacts our health, causes us to lose focus and distracts us from our goals.

To keep you from being overwhelmed from all the information out there here are 5 ways to help you prevent information overload.
 
1. Know When To Stop Researching

Whether it is researching for developing a product, searching for images that will enhance your article or e-Book, reading material for your copy, or surfing the net for anything remotely close to what it is you are trying to develop, it is quite easy to get caught up in gathering too much information. Information is for one purpose and that is for us to take action. Too much information often freezes us from taking action. And therein lies the rub.

When we are beginning to feel overwhelmed by all the information it is time to break away from researching material. It’s now time to take a few days off from researching and let the information gel in your mind. The old adage “sleep on it” applies here. In essence we need to ‘detox’ and regain our energy.
 
2. Know When To Take Action

When we have too much information we often procrastinate. We put off taking action. This is one of the worst things we can do. Whether we think we have enough information or not, it is best to start your copy, or whatever you are working on. The whole point here is we usually research and gather information to do something. So take action. Just by starting on your action plan relieves your mental pressure. It takes the weight off of your shoulders, so to speak.

When we start the ‘doing part’ we become motivated. We strengthen our confidence because we begin to see results. We can always go back to gathering more information when we come to a ‘blank’ or when we feel blocked or run into a problem we don’t know how to solve. Following this tactic allows us to gather the information we need yet keeps us moving ahead.
 
3. Find Trustworthy Sources

Certainly, we find that there is a lot of information out there. Some of it is poorly constructed and poorly sourced. We can overcome this by selecting sources that we trust and then rely on them for most of our information. So what should we consider as trustworthy sources? Here are a few clues:

• Is the information coming from reputable scientific journals, articles?
• Is the information coming from well-respected institutions such as universities, reputable news agencies, or journals?
• Has the information been reviewed by peers and experts in the field?
• If you are using PLR, is it backed by research? Are sources provided with it?
• Does the information come from ‘official sources’, such as government or reputable private laboratories, health and safety agencies, bureaus of statistics and the like?
• If you are in the health and wellness niche, is the information backed up by the medical, psychological, or sociological professions?

 
4. Be Wary of Internet Forums

Use forums and message boards sparingly. Make sure the forums are carefully moderated and showing clear and straight forward answers to your inquiry.

The other day I was looking up something regarding an issue I had with my ‘Outlook’ app and searched the internet for an answer. One forum that recommended a solution was so confusing and disjointed that it gave me a serious headache. Not really but you get the point. The problem was easily resolved by another forum that gave me clear instructions to follow and the problem was resolved by a few clicks. Needless to say, I will bypass the former forum and go back to the latter one.

And that leads to this consideration: When you have found a trustworthy forum or message board bookmark it as your trusted source.
 
5. Take Time To Breathe

The internet has become both a blessing and a curse. It provides us with information at our fingertips. Yet, it does cause information overload so be careful in how you use it.

The internet is here to stay. We will not get rid of it, will it away or destroy it – although there are negative naysayers, scammers, poisonous viruses that cause damage to our processes and systems that give us heartache. These things are part of our internet reality and we need to find ways to deal with them such as using antivirus programs and pressing the delete button when necessary.

The point is the internet is here to stay and we have to watch how we use it and not let it abuse us.
So take a breather once and awhile. Eat right. Sleep right. Exercise right. Meditate.  Take the time to breakaway from the virtual world and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.  

Hope this helps you.
Thanks for Reading and Take Care Out There,

Richard Fontanie.

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