TMI – Lowering Information Intake

Curiosity is one of my favorite characteristics. Someone who is genuinely inquisitive and open to learning more and more is invigorating and exciting to be around. I love information and learning. However, I’ve found that many of us have a tendency to over-consume information that isn’t particularly valuable to us. This habit of taking in excess information dilutes attention and delays progress.

Many haven’t even considered there could be such a thing as too much information. Below are some things to ponder on and open to in your exploration of yourself and your lifestyle.

Choose your sources wisely. Be conscious of your intention with each information source you decide to look into. Many news teams prioritize banking on advertising with techniques such as focusing on fearful topics to keep viewers glued. Our thinking and mental dialog – also known as our programming or internal script – creates our perspective on life, heavily weighing on each experience we have. All information streaming through your head throughout the day affects your attitude and presence. Selectively allow in that which feels nourishing, like a daily bath, or serves as relaxation. Focus on sources that are beneficial and in alignment with what you most truly need to learn about or be reminded of.

Rather than taking what is handed to you, go out there and explore information suppliers. Public programming, Current TV, blogs, and YouTube are all great venues of information that is not so one-sided. Try researching a particular topic rather than just reading whatever is on the menu for the day.

Treasure Your Attention. Some intake excess information and allow it to eat up a lot of attention, delaying creative outflow. Many become accustomed to the habits of taking information in – reading the paper, watching TV, or perusing a magazine – so much that they give up a good portion of their output capacity and/or quality in the process. There is an imbalance. A natural outward focus is the standard for most Americans. Attention is focused on the outside world with little invested into the internal one.

There are many who know all about the world and their industry, yet have no clue what is going on with their self. Attention is more heavily invested into taking in new information than applying knowledge and taking the actions to make things happen. Staying in touch with the world while not getting too caught up in the drama is a nice way to walk the thin line. Just reading the headlines is often enough to know about what is going on. Most can let go of more than half of what they read and still take in a healthy dose of information. Think of alternative ways of staying connected while lightening your intake. Often times we can turn to people we trust who naturally keep up on everything themselves. Creating a council who you discuss happenings with can save you hours of research time and foster relationships as well.

Focus Your Valuable Energy. Many get into a routine of keeping up on information that is useless or inapplicable. You can enjoy much more daily free time by letting go of some of the things that you currently stay in-tune with, a lot of which has no real benefit to you and is done almost robotically. Rather than take in more information that you can do anything with, let some go and free up your energy. Perhaps use the free time to outline your actions based on what you learned. Baby steps add up.

How much of your day do you give to keeping up the news? What are your usual sources of information? What amount of information keeps you in the loop but also allows you free space for yourself?

To your free-thinking creative space,

Danielle Marie Crume