When You Need to Stop Listening

"It’s easy to feel that we need to learn better strategies, do more exercises and read more blog posts before we can find the best course of action. Doing this gets us caught in a doom spiral of endless preparation.." 

This is me right now and I feel so doomed without even knowing what to do. I feel overwhelmed with so much information around the web that I believe that I getting so lost, so confused... I lost track of it! Maybe I find something maybe I won't... I steel don't know!

Bah!!! Get out of my head!! I was thinking of this exact same thing this morning! And recommending myself to take an "information fast".People like to read and gather information because of the potential it holds. "If I just had this widget, then I would definitely move toward my goal." I don't know the exact term for this phenomenon, but it's there. I always thought that was the driving force behind sales at The Container Store - "If I just buy this box/crate/container, then I'll finally get organized!" - when it reality someone may just need to eliminate things from their lives.I've gone to asking myself two things - Do I really need a certain object/book/information to progress? And have I even used the information/objects that I've gathered previously? (The answer is usually a gut-wrenching 'no'.)

Information overload is endemic. I admit I am addicted to Twitter. Time to do stuff.

Hello sir, Whenever I overload myself with information as to what shall I be doing in future, my career to be precise I end up in confusion. I try to gather pros n cons of everything. In fact in my personal relationships its very disturbing when I am confused about showing my true emotions or pretending to be calm n silent.( thinking how would the concerned person react). I end up being miserable in personal relationships. As far as other things like recipes, career options I gain a awareness, its helpful and fun. Indirectly or directly I can see positive results.

Hi Jonathan,

I was planning to write a post about exactly the same topic. But now you've already said everything there is to say ;)

I think there is a real phenomenon of self-help addiction. We tend to move on to the next great self-help topic without and especially in order not to have to implement the previous approach. If we only ever stopped once to bring into practice ANY ONE approach, we'd probably see major change, but instead we chase the neat, quick, easy solution and thus never actually spend even just 5 minutes on the "self" part of self-help ;)

Loved the post,

Jonas

This is such a powerful and honest post. I think that for most of us we live a life in fear... so we seek guidance from others so we can feel "safe" with the next step, but true creativity comes from dancing with fear.... I once had a professor tell me that the best writing comes when you write about what makes you uncomfortable. I believe life is the same way. Its in taking the leap that we find we can really fly. I like your "information diet" suggestion!

This is crazy!! I read this after a month where I set up a filter where each and every newsletter/blog I subscribe to skipped my inbox to directly go into a folder called "Experiment"...and the results were astounding! No wonder I felt so scattered about how I was to go about doing what I wanted to do....these were all 'other' voices (excellent though they might be)...not my own unique one with my own unique method and way about things. I think the moratorium on consuming this information is going to stay till I feel the shift in me to finding and more importantly identifying my own unique voice.

I recently also decided to extend this band to buying ebooks.

Thanks for this blog post, Jonathan!

How strange (or most likely not) when I've had a week of feeling inundated with information (especially emails) your post pops into my inbox!

I definitely switch off from time to time (having complete digital sabbaticals whenever I go to a Buddhist festival or retreat) and it is BLISS...

On a daily basis, I'm still figuring it out. Picking up emails 2-3 times a day only is great (if you can avoid the iPhone temptation) and I now only subscribe to blogs that I really connect with.

Addendum: I trust serendipity/coincidence to bring me whatever information is needed in my daily life.

I do not struggle with information overload. The television and the web are not "information" they are mass marketing medias. I pay attention to what I need and what I choose. I call it mindfull meditation. A way of being I actively practice.

Well said! I think it's important to acquire some basic knowledge before starting something new. I would never go sky diving by following my inner wisdom. I would take classes and get trained. But there has to be some point after which I have to simply take a deep breath and begin.

There is just too much information on any topic to reasonably consume it all before getting started. I think the reason we sometimes want to wait until we get the next big piece of information before starting, and then the next, and then the next, eternally delaying launch-time, is because we have this sense that what we do has to be the perfect thing, done in the perfect way, once and for all. If that were the case, I would never have become a father, a husband, a teacher, a blogger, or anything else for that matter.

When I start something new, I first learn about it. Get the basics. See what others are saying about what has worked for them. Look around and see how others are doing it and how they are doing it differently than others. Then I simply jump in with both feet. I've had lots of failed attempts. But I've learned from each of my failures. Besides, my motto in life is that I can always keep learning along the way and tweak what doesn't work and add what I come across as I go. But if I never go, then there will never be anywhere I ever arrive at.

Thanks for the reminder!

Yes! Whenever I'm designing or creating something new, I go into consumption mode. I read blogs, books, listen to music, look for art... essentially I go on an inspiration binge. When I hit capacity --when I don't think I can possibly look at one more idea-- I unplug. I ruminate on everything I've found. I put a board together of my favorite findings. And, I let things sit. For a day or a week. I give myself time to stop consuming and just ponder what I've got. It's usually during this time when I have my best ideas. When I'm not actively seeking or pursuing, but instead just being, living, breathing.

Wow you're so right- I find myself being inspired by reading information & viewing other peoples blogs & websites... but then I get "over-stimulated" and feel unworthy in what I want to achieve as their are so many more tallented people out there with great ideas & I guess thats when it's time to take a step back & focus on me & my ideas & not compare or absorb anyone else's projects. Thanks

This is my problem exactly. I have always been a voracious reader, fiction and non-fiction, but lately I have started to realise that I read too damn much and take too little action. My reading recently has been around business strategy, self development, and blogging (making money at it). I like nothing better than to read about these subjects and learn, waiting for the epiphany 'EUREKA!' moment that never seems to come.

So I made a decision a while ago - I am buying no more books, or reading any, until my various projects have some momentum in the physical world. Its already working in that I actually have a new blog started. Its early days, but it physically exists.I've been tempted several times by friends offering to lend me the latest, greatest book they have just finished (raving about how brilliant it is). I also still can't resist walking into book stores and browsing when I get the chance. Of course, suddenly now that I am on diet there are HUNDREDS of great books I would love to read.

But I am remaining firm and strong indefinitely. Until I have exhausted the ideas a knowledge I already have, and start to hit some walls I need to get over, I'm not reading any more books. There is PLENTY to do with the information and knowledge I already have and all reading/research time is currently allocated to action.Wish me luck! ;-)

I went on an information diet over the weekend, and went one step further: No technology whatsoever. The result: Clarity of mind and overall increased calmness. I'd recommend it!

Actually there's one good thing about voraciously consuming information - eventually all the information crashes together in your brain and implodes, leaving you clear and fresh and empty. The only place left to look then is inside...

*grin

Before embarking on my first 'real' novel I dredged the 'net for advice and tips until my mind was spinning - and I probably hadn't even scratched the surface of the Information Superhighway. Nevertheless I kept reading and reading, printing out reams so that I'd have the information to hand. Needless to say, most of those reams are still unread! I began to notice though that many 'advisers' were largely giving out the same information - and realised that the law of diminishing returns was applying. The more I read, the less new stuff I found. That was the point where I realised that it was time to turn off the Superhighway and strike out on a beaten track of my own - and that was when I really began to learn.

Stop reading, stop procrastinating...get on and create something of your own, otherwise you are doomed to regurgitate the thoughts of others.

Commenting not so much because I have something useful to say in reply but more to acknowledge I'm here and listening. I am struggling to trust myself. I don't think I do. I've let myself down, before. I certainly have been meeting people and doing things that I would not have believed possible a year ago. But I'm just so overwhelmed at the moment that it's hard to have that kind of faith that I need, to keep walking forward. We'll see. I really hope you're right.

Sometimes I feel that there is not enough of the right kind of information. There is so much: "you should....; doing ... will ...", "I did ...now look at ....". There isn't enough of: "If you want to ......., Then you should take these steps....by doing......".

Wise words Jonathan. I took a hiatus from reading books and blogs for awhile and instead when into "take action" mode. It is very easy to get analysis paralysis.

I became enlightened with information "overload" . Whatever it takes as long as no one is harmed.

Excellent piece Jonathan, thank you... Quick question... Would this mean you might not post for a month? hm...

I absolutely feel you on this... There is no research, or keyword analysis that I can run to tell me Surfers need help... Help freeing themselves from 9-5's so they can surf, and help surfing better! It is a gut feeling I get from being involved in the surfing community and speaking with surf business clients daily.

Mahalo, and Surfs up!

How funny is it that I came here to read this just as I said to myself "you need to stop all this searching, clean out your in box and get to work!" I'm so glad I chose this as the last one for now.

I would not be where I am were it not for the wisdom of yourself and quite a few other wise writers out there, but there is a point where enough is enough. I know what I need to do and I am ready to get to work. The ebooks will always be there when I need a refresher.

Thanks for the reminder and as always great advice.

The best thing in the world for me is to trust my inner wisdom. It's nearly impossible for someone to provide you with answers without them injecting what they value most into the advice. It takes someone skilled to simply help you ask yourself better questions so as to allow you to operate from your own value system rather than their own. Or for you to even uncover and discover your own values. (not all coaches are skilled at this) People "giving you answers" is no substitute for self awareness and doing the self work. There's no real "easy" way. You just have to trust your gut.

I find that information overload happens when I am doing too much <i>consuming</i> and not enough creating. When I'm reading, reading, reading, and not producing, that's when the uncertainty steps in and the information overload threatens. When I'm working diligently - whether that be writing or with clients - this tends not to be a problem. (Maybe because I'm too busy and engaged to see all that information out there?)

So true-we drown out the inner voice with permanent busyness and info overload. It is this simple-quieten the mind, spend time alone reflecting and getting in touch with your real self, recognise emotion (energy in motion) and understand what the deeper message is telling you. It is all about heart first then engaging head but unfortunately 99% are doing it the wrong way round.

I will have to admit that I am an info junkie. I consume large amounts of information but I rarely act upon what I have consumed. Recently recognizing this down fall I posted the this tweet "For those who are always getting ready to do something, stop obsessing over information and do something now!" http://tinyurl.com/6k68h5j

I believe the key is action, and also only consuming what you plan to implement immediately. When eating food I practice only eating to satisfy my hunger and try not to overeat. I believe that this same thing can be applied to information, eat until it satisfies your need but not to the point where you are being glutinous.

Just in the real world if you eat more calories than you consume you become overweight. I believe the practice of consuming without application will make you sluggish at completing projects and tasks.

The danger of taking in information is that it gives the facade of productivity, but the reality is if the information doesn't get things done it can be simply a waste of time.

I agree with JM's advice limit the amount of advice that you intake. Contrary to that advice, I want to make a point by recommending another book! Tim Sander's Today We Are Rich; pg 235 identifies the difference btwn following passions (self) and finding a purpose (service). Huge distinction and it snapped me out of a deep funk of depression.

I love the information diet. It's a cleansing for the soul.

This was so timely! Just yesterday I had a minor depressive episode because I get so unsure of how to sift through all the information out there. Trying to learn something in these times is easy because there is so much at our disposal, but I don't think we are equipped to deal with this overload.

My best advice is to listen to your inner self, and let things grow organically. Often the most successful people in their respective business is someone who turned it all off and just DID IT. That's what I try to do now, and only pay attention to quality content when I'm in the mood, not because I feel like I have to.

Thank you so much for this post! It's so nice to know I'm not alone in this madness!

The irony, of course, is that I'm here commenting.

In a larger sense, I have found there is value in listening simply to allow others to be heard, whether or not I intend to act on it or not. It's about being part of the conversation.

I used to buy information products like crazy and never implemented anything... and then I wondered why I wasn't getting any results. After a while I started to realize that they all were saying the same thing in different ways...and I just needed to take action. In the last couple of months I banned myself from looking at sales pages and buying new info products...because they just weren't adding much to my life.

OMG I really needed to read this today. I am SO frustrated right now. I spend hours looking at everyone else in my business wondering why, when Im doing exactly the same thing, they have business and I dont. Ive closed down my Tweetdeck and unsubscribed from their blogs. Watching everyone else succeed at the same thing gets me down and distracts me from figuring out what I truly want to do with this business. Im trying to imitate instead of find my joy in it.

When I need an answer for something i always stop what I am doing and meditate. I know that the answers are within me and going to this quiet powerful place helps me find it. I always have amazing breakthroughs. It never used to be like this though, I was an information junkie and learned that it was just overwhelming me and not helping me find the way.