Quick Relief for Information OverloadIf you feel like you're drowning in

information, it's not just your imagination. According to a recent Forbes article,
we've created more information in the last 10 years than in all the rest of human
history. Or, to put it another way, there's 300 exabytes of information today
compared to 30 exabytes 10 years ago.Meanwhile, that deluge is more than an
annoyance. Studies show that being bombarded with too many facts and choices can
increase stress and impair your judgment.Take back control of your time. Learn how
to make this growing body of information work for you.Handling Information
SelectivelyLighten your load. Filter out messages that have little use or
significance for you.1. Cancel your subscriptions. How full is your inbox? Ask to
be removed from mailing lists for newsletters you have no time to read.2. Minimize
interruptions. Brief interruptions may be more troublesome than you realize. A
study by Microsoft found that it takes about 24 minutes for you to restore your
attention to your previous task. Try designating some hours of the day as your do-
not-disturb time. Check your email and texts less frequently.3. Be prepared. Polish
off brief tasks during those interruptions you can't avoid, such as online video
ads. File your nails or read a magazine until the commercial ends.4. Recognize
recency bias. Our brains are programmed to focus on the latest news regardless of
its merits. Wait a few weeks to see if you really want to watch a new movie.5. Set
limits. The internet makes it easy to go on searching forever about any topic.
Determine your priorities and the sources you want to rely on.Handling Information
SkillfullyNow that you've cleared away the clutter, you can start to organize the
knowledge that's meaningful to you. Simple habits can help you accomplish more in
less time.1. Write it down. Your brain can only keep track of a few items at a
time. Free up mental energy by making lists of things you'll deal with later. That
way you can concentrate on reading to your children instead of thinking about
what's going on at the office.2. Finish what you start. As much as possible,
complete a task in one sitting so it's off your mind. If necessary, break it down
into smaller steps.3. Work in batches. Bunch similar activities together. Pick a
time to stay focused on managing your finances or working on your hobby.4. Stop
multitasking. There's overwhelming evidence that multitasking is a myth. Your brain
winds up switching rapidly between tasks. That scattered approach wastes energy,
increases tension, and lowers the quality of your performance.5. Take a break.
Scheduling frequent short breaks is more efficient than pushing yourself beyond
your capacity. Stand up and stretch every hour. Go for a walk or chat with a friend
every few hours.6. Adjust your expectations. Decide how much time and effort will
suffice for any undertaking. You probably want to find out all you can before
purchasing a house while 10 minutes may be the most you want to spend on
researching deodorants.7. Daydream more. Successful companies give their employees
room for experimentation and innovation. Disconnect for a while each day to observe
your thoughts and indulge your creativity.8. Trust your intuition. Your
subconscious is extremely powerful. In addition to gathering facts and analyzing
data, listen to your inner voice and emotions to discover your purpose and
passions.Information is valuable when you know how to filter out noise and manage
your resources. Protect your creativity and productivity by staying focused on what
you need to know to reach your goals.