Info Overload! How do you absorb & process all the great info you get on WF?

Hi Jon,

Great question. I've been perusing this forum for a few weeks now, as I am new to the idea and still brainstorming.

I was feeling overwhelmed and gunshy about of the vast amount of information I've been absorbing and how to apply it and to execute the perfect plan. The anxiety made me want to quit.

And then I stumbled upon a four minute video by Tim Ferriss from a couple year back promoting his famous book, The Four Hour Workweek. I'd read his book last summer, but I'd forgotten one of the best points from the book:

To avoid information overload.

So I took a day away from all of this and cleared my head. Instead of mapping every detail in precision, I am just going to dive in and start jamming, and I'll make corrections as they'll undoubtedly be required. If the whole project fails miserably, I'll scrap it and start over. F#$% it.

Ferriss also posed the question which resonated with me, what's the worst thing that can happen? I lose a little time and maybe a little money? The gains in knowledge, even in total failure, will make it all worth it.

I am so glad I ran across that video. I sure needed a refresher on that.

In the words of Tyler Durden, "Stop trying to control everything and Just. Let. Go."

As somebody once said, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."

Prioritize. What comes first? Don't worry about how you're going to pay your affiliates if you don't have your product yet. Don't worry about hiring tech support until you've got your site set up. Focus on things that need doing FIRST, and *then* worry about the rest. It's easier said than done, but the only way to get better at something is to keep practicing.

I'll tell you one thing right now... you're seriously crippling yourself if you're not using the Warrior Forum. I tried for awhile by myself, but then realized I'd have a much harder time doing everything solo... Internet Marketing is NOT for the lone ranger.

One thing I recommend is getting/using some great GTD software (get things done). Google it. Or even using Basecamp from 37 Signals. You need to set priorities and get organized. Or else you will be swimming in info forever!

I think we've all suffered from information overload at some stage. I think you need to schedule your day, plan what you are going to do and stick to it. Limit the amount of time that you spend on forums and try not to look at new ideas too much I know that isn't easy but as long as you keep looking for the next great new idea, you are spending time doing that, that you could be using that time more effectively in getting some work done.

Take action, a folder filled with awesome ideas and ways to do things isn't going to bring you the kind of results you can get by actually taking action on *one* of those ideas. Once you are done with it (for the day or completely) move on to the second idea, third etc.

Collecting great ideas and useful information is nice and all, but all the information in the world isn't going to get you anywhere unless you take action. Ie. submitting one article a day, or making 5 forum posts a day or what have you will have much better results than collecting 100 ebooks about building back links.

So just pick something and take action on it. You can collect other useful info for the future, but just don't focus on it too much untill you are done with w/e you've picked and are ready to move on to other things. Look through your "ideas" folder and pick somethign new, then take action on that.

Hey Jon,

Yours is a very common problem, of which I've suffered for years. I have a problem with bright shiny objects sometimes taking away my attention.

Lately I've gotten to a point where I don't even try to learn anything new for chunks of time so I can utilize the things I do know.

I would say that the best thing to do is focus on one thing at a time that you think that you can do, that interests you, and that can keep your interest until produces results, and then laser focus. Easier said than done I know but it's been helping me lately to stop trying to learn, and keep myself busy doing.

Hope that helps a little.

Troy

oh man I've been in that boat before! The most important thing you can do is just take action and do something that produces results.

Here's a quote I heard at a Tony Robbins seminar that really struck a chord "if somethings worth doing, it's worth doing POORLY". This can be easily misinterpreted, but what it basically means is just get it done and don't worry about it being perfect.
It's better to have a ragged, ugly, unorganized website with an affiliate link than nothing at all. This is because you can always improve your site after it's up, but for the mean time just focus on getting it online!

Hey Jon,

I tend to deal with info-overload through elimination.

First, I ask "How is this going to specifically make money?"

If I can't answer that I might file the info, but I don't move on it immediately.

Second, I'm guilty of getting fired-up with ideas. I read something and then feel like "Yeah, gotta do that right now!" I used to waste a ton of time and get super distracted. Now I let the fire die. If it keeps burning after a few days then that may be a sign to stoke the flames a bit. If there's no heat left all then I move on completely.

Finally, I also ask, "How does this fit with my current, proven system?" Since I know what IS working there's no need to pursue something that won't add real value.

Keep up the great work. I appreciate your passion!!

Mark Robbins