Information Overload

Do you ever feel like you know too much? 

You know you should exercise more, and take time for yourself more. You also know you should probably take that training or continuing education course, or read about parenting strategies. 

Maybe if you’re self employed, like me, you feel like you should be doing more marketing. Because what’s the point of pouring your energy into good work projects if no one sees it? 

I actually feel like I know too much and too little at the same time. Is that possible? 

When I’m interested in a subject, the knowing too little side of me binges literally everything I can on that topic.  Books, podcasts, videos, you name it. I’m like a stalker but for information – it’s probably the researcher in me.

The problem is that sometimes – after learning and diving into a subject, or going to a conference and learning a lot of stuff for example of things that I should do in my business, or reading a bunch of parenting books (so many parenting books and blogs and tips) – I end up feeling like I’m not doing enough. 

And then of course I feel bad that I’m not doing all the things. Or then I get busy and forget to do all the things .. just me? Or do you feel like this sometimes too?

And then I wonder, what’s the point of consuming all this content? What’s the point of learning all this stuff if I’m not actually going to use it? Or worse, if it’s going to make me feel bad?

Putting Information into Action

So I started scheduling implementation time. It’s the best idea ever. Honestly. 

First I think about if the thing I learned is really for me. Do I need to be on every social media platform for my business? For me, no. I really dislike social media and it’s a struggle to be on it at all. I’m doing an entire episode on social media so make sure to tune in for that.  

But if I learn something for my business that I think I do want to start (like something that helps me write by book, for example). Then I schedule time to implement it. So in my case, I learned about this software program that helps you organize your writing and your chapters etc. So instead of just thinking “oh ya that would help”. I scheduled time to learn how to use it, transfer my files etc. 

Or after a conference (or it might be a meeting), I started blocking off time in my schedule to action some of the takeaways. So I wouldn’t forget and so that I could actually benefit from what I was learning.  

Making Real Changes

If I read a parenting book or blog, I try to think of one major takeaway, what can I implement. Not just something broad like start coaching instead of parenting your teen. I understand the concept behind but that but it’s hard to put into practice. 

What I can do is to start listening to her favourite songs in the car while driving to swimming. I find it often helps her open up and start talking and THEN I can try not to respond like a parent and more like a friend or coach.

I’ve been trying to make changes that move me towards the life I want to live. And adding time to make change, and rearranging my schedule so that it’s easier to implement helps.

Balance Between Work and Home

I also started listening to podcasts on my way TO work and music on my way back from work. This might not be the same for you, but it’s a big deal for me. I listen to a lot of marketing or business podcasts or podcasts, on podcasting. When I do this in the morning, I could write down some key items or schedule something as soon as I got into work as a result of what I’d listened to. 

Then on the way home I’d listen to music because I didn’t want to think about work when I got home. It’s a small thing but when you’re self employed, your work brain never ends (and I’m sure that’s the case for many other professions too).

So I’d listen to a podcast and hopefully learn something or think of an idea for work. But of course when I’d get home I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it. Then my brain would feel like I have an open item. A to-do list or something that needs to get done – and I would have a harder time being present with my kids. I’d end up checking my phone and I’d feel rushed. Whereas when I started listening to music or even better, when I started going to yoga before going home, I’d be much more present for my kids. Now that I often work from home, I’m trying to schedule some wind down time (I’m still working on that one). 

Reading and Note Taking

Here’s another example, when I read a book – a non-fiction book, I write down notes so that I can process them and then put them to use. When I read a parenting book, I talk to my husband about a strategy that I want to implement for our kids. He loves this by the way because then I can just read the book and he can just get the key points. 

It works really well for us because we both end up being on the same page with parenting and our strategy for managing an issue. 

It happened a lot more when the kids were young and we were trying to figure out how to get them to sleep better or eat better. But it’s still happens now when I’m googling ‘how to get your teen to talk to you’, and I read an article and then we conspire to get them to open up about school or friends or whatever. 

The point is, if you’re trying to change, learn or grow – and you’re taking in information, consuming content in whatever form, I wonder what would happen if you tried an implementation strategy. Time or effort to actually implement what you’re learning. 

Learning New Recipes

I mean this could even be relevant in cooking. Let’s say for example you buy a recipe book, ok I know most of us get our recipes online now but just go with me here, let’s say you get a bunch of new recipes. If you’re like me, it takes time and energy and effort to figure out the ingredients and how to cook it. So for a while I only tried new recipes on days when I had less going on. Maybe a holiday (not one where we’re hosting but one of those ones when we’re just home, playing board games or sleeping in).  Then after making it a few times, it becomes easy to add into the regular rotation. 

So that’s my quick tip for today, try an implementation strategy. Then let me know how it goes! One because I love to learn from you too! And two because I really want to know if it worked for you. 

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