Community Chat

[DesertGems]

Deal with Information overload?

Between e-mails, cell phones, regular phone and all the other social media...

Has anybody figured out how to keep "from drowning" in information?

[FancyPhillyshopper]

I think there is a difference between what a person is required to do with information, and what a person chooses to do with information.

Most of my work responsibilities are/have been pretty heavy-duty with communication overload--I have/had multiple devices and have/had multiple sign-ins. It was normal for me at one time to receive hundreds and hundreds of emails every day, as well as calls and letters. I also received important communications on weekends and evenings that I had to answer. Luckily I had colleagues to whom I could delegate some of the response follow-ups.

The best thing is to set up an organized process that allows for check-ins multiple times a day based on priority.  I am a very fast reader, and I can quickly skim all emails and determine where to put my attention first. I also try not to get bogged down in details.  I had little time for "fun" communications during my workaholic lifestyle.

I limit access to my personal cell and personal text.  My home phone (land line) takes messages and I only answer if I recognize the caller and/or I am expecting a call. 

For my business phone, email and text, now I try to limit my use to work day/work times only, although in previous career positions there were times I was almost 24/7 (CRAZY--but they were important jobs with often critical needs.). 

Having experienced serious information overload in my different jobs, I can handle all personal/fun communications much easier. Usually I just walk away, or shut them down, or take a break when I am tired, bored, frustrated, etc. I have a choice to seek or accept information in my personal life, so I have to set limits.

I find almost nothing in my personal life communication is of the same level of priority for instant response as my work world, UNLESS I am dealing with an illness of a family member or a pet, or some kind of less serious situation like car trouble, etc.

Even now whenever I am on the QVC forums, I also watch television at the same time.  These days, communication overload is more of a pleasant distraction rather than an adrenalin rush-to-respond.

[smoochy]

Being retired (three years), does help reduce the daily influx of information. My problem has been in responding to whatever I read online, in the news, social media etc. Taking things seriously. Internalizing upsetting stories, news reports, friends' troubles. To the point where I was becoming depressed, anxious. Not good. Yet this is our world today.  
Every day brings new disturbing information our way. 
So. Realizing that this was happening was a first step. Next, I consciously limited my time on Facebook. I set a timer. This forced me to attend only to my closest friends new posts, any notifications, and checking in on the two groups I administrate. 
I made a decision to let go of things out of my immediate control. Global concerns, things of that nature. My religious faith has been invaluable in this. Also, I have stopped worrying about people I know who are drama queens, always in crisis, constantly seeking advice, never taking it and refusing to get the real help they need. .For my own mental health I have "unfollowed" these people on social media. 
Lastly, I feel confident about saying "no thanks" to invitations or to activities that might feel like obligations. 
To the original poster, you have brought up a very real concern. 

[smoochy]

@FancyPhillyshopper  Excellent post. You presented some practical steps for controlling the daily chaos. 

[Goldengate8361]

I prioritize.... And focus on what I must. I am also comfortable ignoring many things and I feel no obligation to respond to everyone who contacts me.

[smoochy]

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@Goldengate8361 wrote:

I prioritize.... And focus on what I must. I am also comfortable ignoring many things and I feel no obligation to respond to everyone who contacts me.

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This is key. As women I believe we are raised to respond to others' perceived needs, regardless of possible detriment to ourselves. Well speaking for myself anyway. Here I am at 70, still empathic and willing to help--BUT not at the expense of my own mental or physical health. 

[Annabellethecat66]

A lot of the time my 41 year old daughter deals with a lot of it.

She separates what I might want to see (emails) and takes care of it.

At one time lady year I had something like 22,000 emails.  I thinks that's right.

That's stupid and crazy.

[CalminHeart]

I turn it off when it gets to be too much - news, social media, whatever.  I never turn off my phone. But I do have a scam alert feature so I don't answer those calls.

I used to give myself time-outs after work. I'm retired now but worked for a huge corporation. It was common to receive dozens of phone calls, hundreds of emails and IMs, and staff stopping by for help or information.  I enjoyed the quiet and unwound with some fun with my dog outside. In winter, we'd exercise together inside.