It's tough to keep up with all the information we're being bombarded with now in the information age. In fact, it's not only hard to keep up with, it's dangerous to try because too much information is bad for results. Learn about 3 mistakes people make to hinder thier results and how to avoid them.
Copyright (c) 2008 Weston Lyon
It's tough to keep up with all the information we're being bombarded with now in the information age. In fact, it's not only hard to keep up with, it's dangerous to try because too much information is bad for results.
Here are 3 mistakes I see people make that hinder the results they're looking for:
1. Checking all their e-mail.
2. Surfing the web and sitting on the Google.
3. Subscribing to newsletters they don't want or need.
Here's how you can avoid making the same mistakes, so you can get the results you want:
1. Checking all their e-mail.
While checking e-mail has become necessary for most people, you don't have to check ALL your e-mail. Instead, filter your incoming messages, so you don't waste time checking every one of them.
Here are 2 ways to filter you e-mail fast and easy:
a. Color code the e-mails that are important - most e-mail accounts allow you to color code e-mails that come from a specific person or e-mail address.
Color coding your e-mails will allow you to scan your inbox much faster and without the headache of sifting through mountains of unimportant messages.
b. Delete the FW's - most e-mails that begin with FW: are garbage. Don't waste your time looking at most of these.
If some make you happy, then tell the people who send them to you (it's usually your friends) to send them to your "other e-mail address (make a separate Yahoo or Google account for these e-mails.
2. Surfing the web and sitting on the Google.
The internet and Google (all search engines really) have changed the way we search for information. Whereas before the internet and Google, if you wanted to look something up you'd go to the local library and read about it. That would only last for a little well because you either got bored or tired of reading at the library.
But now, you can sit on the Google for hours and not get bored or tired. Heck, at home you can take a nap and then search for more information. Then you can grab a bite to eat and come back and search some more.
This unlimited access to a world of information can be devastating on your time, draining on your energy, and destructive to your ultimate outcome (which is not to read all day long!).
Instead, here are two ways to help you rein yourself in and stop the information avalanche from swallowing you:
a. Set a timer - this may sound over simplistic, but it's very effective. Set a timer for 20 minutes when you start your research on the Google.
When the timer goes off...STOP!
You can have the timer set for longer if you need to, but just keep in mind how much time you really have to look stuff up.
b. Hire someone else to do your research - in my book, Creating Space, I talk a lot about having other people help you. When it comes to research, hire a VA (virtual assistant) to do the research for you.
VA's are relatively inexpensive compared to how much your time is worth. For an hour you'll typically pay $15-$50. This investment is well worth your time in most cases because you won't have to bother doing the research. AND most VA's are much faster than you at researching, so they may not even take an hour to do it...bonus!
3. Subscribing to newsletters they don't want or need.
Subscribing to newsletters and e-zines can be addicting for those of us who really do like to read and gather information. However, like any addiction, we have to monitor this habit, so we get the result we really want.
I know it can be hard because you want to read all of them. But, in reality, you can't read them all...at least not without sacrificing other activities that may be more important to you.
Here are three steps to monitoring this possibly addicting habit that wastes our time and sacrifices our results:
1. Make a list of all the newsletters, e-zines, and magazines you have coming to your house or inbox on a monthly or weekly basis. 2. Go through your list with a fine tooth comb and choose 3 information channels you really want to keep and learn from (ONLY 3!!!) 3. Now, cancel or unsubscribe the rest of them.
These three steps are simple, so take action NOW. By doing so, you'll create space in your life for what's important.
So there you have it, 3 mistakes most people make that hinder the results they really want and how you can avoid them.
Take action now and tell me how it feels!
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