If you’ve ever experienced even a twinge of information overload, here’s a unique solution that will get to the root cause of the problem once and for all.
From what I can see, most recommended solutions are Band-Aids at best. That’s because they only deal with the symptoms you’re feeling and not the root cause. So they never really eliminate the problem once and for all.
Since the cause of information overload isn’t obvious, let me ask you a question.
Back when you were in school, did you ever get nervous before a test?
Almost everyone I’ve asked has always said “yes.” Primarily because there’s always some worry about the information you’ll need to understand and hold in your memory once you sit down to take the test.
If you’ve ever asked a teacher "Is this going to be on the test?" – like when you had to memorize the times and dates of obscure Civil War battles – you know that feeling of anxiety.
Of course, the answer you were silently praying to hear was always "NO."
The reason is clear: You know what you know, but at that moment you were also keenly aware of what you didn’t currently know.
For most of us it’s what we know we don’t know that is so scary. And that fear never goes away no matter how many tests you’ve aced in the past.
The subtext of the question "Is this going to be on the test?" is another question: "I don’t want to waste my brains on information that isn’t relevant to my immediate future, so do I really need to know this?" The feeling is so prevalent in school because we often find ourselves studying and being tested on information in which we have very little interest.
Somehow, when we become entrepreneurs, we forget this survival mechanism from our past. Rather than getting very clear about what we already know and what we still need to know to do well (like we did when we were students), we chase scattered information from everywhere – considering all sources we think might have something useful to share. The net effect is we waste our time, our resources, and our intellectual capital in pursuit of new discoveries. And within the blink of an eye, we become victims of information overload.
There is an underlying cause for our haphazard information gathering and it’s resulting information overload. Believe it or not, it comes down to self-esteem.
You see, instead of trusting what we already know, we’re afraid of everything that we don’t know. It’s this fear that becomes the road that takes us off course. We’re trying to prepare for the non-existent test that has EVERYTHING on it and it leads us down a rabbit hole of procrastination that kills productivity.
You may even be on that “bunny trail” right now.
Serious online entrepreneurs are arguably still students themselves. They are searching for solutions and strategies that give them an edge. But it’s self-directed learning, so those of us who succeed develop the profitable ability to focus on what information matters most to our core business goals.
In baseball terms, entrepreneurs can “drive the fastball” when it comes our way, no matter the velocity. We know it is coming and we are ready when it arrives. But as soon as someone throws us a curveball by introducing something new, it challenges our comfort zone. We’re left flailing and unsure of ourselves.
Believe me, I know the feeling.
And that, my friend, is all it takes to get the anxiety wheels rolling. Doubt creeps in, self-confidence plummets, and market opportunity is lost. Spooky, isn’t it? And it can happen in an instant.
We’re left thinking and worrying about the curve ball as the fastball whizzes by. In shock, we ask ourselves, “How could this happen to me?”
This scenario occurs each day with business leaders who experience information overload.
Entrepreneurs are bombarded by information. Not all of it is beneficial to their business goals. Yet, if you try to absorb it all – if you feel a need to gain and retain all information – you’ll lose sight of what is most important. You end up frazzled and overwhelmed – the proverbial “deer in the headlights” paralyzed by fear and unable to avoid certain disaster.
The net effect of the info-overload is that we diminish our ability to discern the great from the good and, in the process, make ourselves mediocre by measure.
Through our abundance and ambivalence, we lose our business edge – and profitability suffers.
Don’t become a paralyzed entrepreneur mesmerized by the flashy headlights of all the information coming at you. You have to push yourself away from the bountiful harvest of information and only select what you truly need to fuel your business growth.
Another great way to look at it is similar to the way we are told to look at food. I’m sure you’ve heard the fitness mantra, “food is fuel.” The same can be said for the role information plays in your life. Anything more than you need will just leave you bloated, inefficient and insecure.
It’s time to start trusting your instincts more. You have to be confident enough to work intelligently toward your goals – whether it is passing an exam or developing a profitable Web site. What you absolutely must not allow to happen is to become paralyzed by the fear of not knowing "everything" and the fear of failure in the absence of knowing exactly what you must know and what you don’t know.
In fact, the ability to make decisions in the face of ambiguity (like this) is a key trait of successful entrepreneurs. Your expertise in this area comes from experience.
There’s an old adage: “No one is an expert in his own backyard.” It’s relevant for entrepreneurs who struggle with information anxiety.
Like Boy Scouts we should “always be prepared,” but we can’t assume that we’ll be perfect. We can’t possibly “know it all” and we can’t expect everyone to believe that we do, despite what Stuart Smalley tells us to repeat to ourselves in the mirror: “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and gosh darn it . . . people like me.”
So, value what you know already. It’s a lot more than you probably give yourself credit for. Real growth, the type that translates into wealth, is more often accumulated through your direct experience. You can search for more knowledge – Hey, I spend time daily searching for the latest and greatest but I don’t discount the value of the wisdom I already possess, and you shouldn’t either.
Odds are, unlike me, you’ve never read a sales letter written to sell the knowledge you already have trapped inside your brain. But take it from someone who knows: If you had my close friend, world-class copywriter John Carlton, pitching your ideas, you would immediately place a lot more value on what you already know (You’d also get a lot more buyers).
Remember: You cannot conquer uncertainty by burying it with more information.
Wisdom comes not from devouring information, but by filtering it through personal experience and taking action on it. It’s the action or reaction, not the information itself, that makes us wise.
I have much more to share with you about this, but first I’d like to hear your thoughts.
Do you see this as a pattern in your own lives? Are you constantly devaluing your own knowledge – minimizing your own experience – in your quest for greater wisdom? Let me know by commenting on our blog.
What are some of your secrets for remaining confident and making decisions in the face of ambiguity?
How do you overcome the feeling of inadequacy when faced with overwhelming amounts of information that seem important, but you’re just not sure?
My readers are a sharp bunch. I know you’ll have some great tips and suggestions to share.
We’ll follow-up in another blog post with a continuation of this conversation. I’m looking forward to your ideas.
To Higher Profits,
Rich Schefren
P.S. The Attention Age Doctrine continues to move forward. Me and the entire Strategic Profits team are busily preparing the next installment. For a “retro” trip back to our previous media reports, get your keys to the Profit Vault here:
Link to this post: If you found this page useful, consider linking to Eliminate Information Overload ...
I’ve been on the bunny trail you describe, and love how you explain the idea of “need to know” information.
I used to be a pack rat with information – my web favorites showed it.
Now I have a bookmark folder for the subject I am seeking info on, and after I have found it I simply delete the sites that didn’t yield the information I ultimately needed. It’s hard thing to do, but necessary. It let’s me trust and use my sources instead of having a huge set of bookmarks that I could never go through.
Thanks again for your great advice. I look forward to the next installment.
Bang on target Rich. I know enough to keep a company running successfully and still, I spend at least 3-4 hours daily searching for the elusive magic bullt that will get my rich overnight. Happy to get rich slowly through a constant improvement of my regular business model.
I will be more restrained from now on – thanks for the swift kick in the @#$ ;)
A great deal of the problem that you describe is caused by the huge number of messages received each day all promoting reprots and/or programs.
I have found that could reduce the amount of useless information that I received by eliminating as much duplication as possible, I accomplished this ofer a short period of time by opting out of lists. If your were constantly sending me messages promoting affilliate programs you were gone ! If you sent me product launch information and you were not one of the principals, you were gone. If you sent a free report that you had written and it did not contain any new or valuable
information, you were gone- etc.
I now have time to read the good stuff because I am not wasting so much time
on the bad stuff. ( I now receive 30 to 50 messages a day from information marketers in stead of the 300 to 500 that I was receiving prior to implementing this elimination program.
Hope this helps !
Steve C.
stevec@allbrands-hottubandspa.com
Thank you Rich
Great info as usual.
Abundance to All
Croz from OZ
http://www.croz.com.au
Dear Rich,
Basically, in terms of trying to earn a living via the internet, I feel you have hit the nail on the head….a great majority of we hopefulls are meandering around hopelessly caught up in the quick sand of your revelations. And unfortunately, like the greatest part of our society…..on line as well as offline have blinders on as to what is really going on politically that could result in all of our efforts on the online environment being for naught. If we don’t wake up, we will all be taking our place in the
It all comes down to who you think gives the most valuable advice and that’s an individual thing. Generally those people have their fingers on the pulse and you obtain all the necessary information you need from them.
Seeking out the the best will provide you with the best so your ‘bookmarks’ never expands much.
Your ideas on the overload are correct – we never value what we know- the tendecny is to think that everyoine else knows better or more.
People to follow … Schefren … McCarthy … Carlton … Page …
Thanks for your work.
John
What a way to wake up in the morning! You brought me the exact reminder of what I am trying to accomplish right now. I have heard it from you before on a coaching call. I even remember you advising a student who kept on resisting your advice with ‘but my situation is different!’ There is not difference no matter what you do for a living! Information overload is overload period that causes one to stop functioning at top peak performance as so many important items get dropped to the side in this frantic search for the perfect morsel of information! You are on a mission that will uplift so many people to a higher level and this will result in so much abundance that I cannot even imagine it! Thank you for being there and I thank God I found you and your teachings!
Sunita Pandit
Fear is one of the most crippling emotions for all people. Fear of failure often keeps us from taking action. Often we keep acquiring more information so that we can put off pulling the trigger. At some point (and often its sooner rather than later) you’ve got sufficient information and should just act.
As always, you hit the nail right on the head. I may unsuscribe to many lists but not to yours. Thanks for the insight.
Dan Scott
http://www.mywealthfortress.com
As an engineer with over 30 years experience, I can say with certainty that the more you know, the more you realise what you don’t know.
Whenever I do a new project, there’s always something new to be taken on board. That helps me to shamelessly asked “them what know”or seek out new information without feeling inadequate. This must also apply to the marketing world
Rich, it was only when I decided to unsubscribe from many lists so as not to get distracted and focus on what I knew that I started making money online and attracted the right kind of clients in my practice.
Thanks for the gentle reminder to keep going down that path and keep strengthening my strengths. There is one thing I’v been putting off for fear of not knowing enough (and the truth is, I really do know enough) and your blog post has prompted me not to leave it another day.
Thanks for such sound advice.
Rich
I feel like you just read my mind completely – you described my current predicament in frightening detail. I’ve been caught up on the “bunny trail” for way too long – though I was afraid I Was never going to get off (as I didn’t really realise I was on it till I read your post).
I am going to start filtering (and ignoring) a lot more of the “information” that comes my way and concentrate on what I know – and hopefully start to build my confidence back again.
Thanks for a great post – can’t wait to read some solutions that will hopefully be posted.
I read your latest report, and I learned a lot from it. What saved me from information overload is that most of the stuff you read online isnt helpful at all.
It ads confusion on your confusion.
Rich,
Again very insightful. Instead of taking in the ‘next big thing,’ all the while, I tend to shelve that particular ‘bright shiney object,’ and if in a month of so’s time, then I will include it, but this is happening less and less. I also tend to just pay attention to just a handful of information sources, and even then just to try to focus on a couple of their strategies but it is hard but I am finding that the more I do trust my instinct more, and let go, the more I am able to bring more of me to the table no matter when experts in whatever field are saying, as I am valuing more and more what I see, I sense, and I know from my unique perspective as being highly valuable and important to share.
Rich!
Just entering the world of internet entrepreneurship, I was doing all these things to find the fastest , easiest least expensive way to “make a lot of money”. Going thru tons of e-mail from non-principals, I needed this message to keep me focused on the “KISS” principle…keep it simple, stupid. [or at least as simple as possible]. Thank you, keep the wisdom coming.
Hey Rich, as always great message.
Just recently I became acutely aware of how much time I was wasting trying to find ‘just the right thing’ that ‘other bit of essential information’. all I was doing was having an excuse for not actually DOING something. So I went straight in and unsubscribed from everything that didn’t actually contribute to my business or actually show me something new. Then on into my Favourites and culled those too. Only kept what I do refer to, everything else I checked and if I didn’t need it right now – gone. By the time I was ready to find out more/do whatever the site had to offer, it’d probably be gone or the information would be outdated anyway.
Soooo much better. But I won’t be unsubscribing to yours Rich, you actually do inspire me.
Thanks so much.
Although I suffer from the symptoms you recite to a certain extent, for me there is a bigger issue in information overload which does not result from lack of self-esteem. I find the world a fascinating place. I love to explore why and how things work. But the universe is infinite and filled with an infinite number of wonders to explore. So I am forced against my will to narrow my focus to the information I “need” in order to “fulfil my commitments”. What a shame and what a waste! I would rather be exploring and learning whatever happens serendipitously to come my way. But even if I had all the money in the world, there would not be enough time to do that. Wonderful, exciting “undesirable” distraction…….
Thank you, Rich – another insightful article. I find I’m able to think and act more clearly and decisively now that I’ve unsubscribed to several waste-of-time sources and decluttered my inbox. Thank you also for assuring us the experience and wisdom we already have will be enough to move us forward. Of course we need to learn new things in order to evolve but we’re rarely encouraged to use or sell what we know already.
Thanks and best wishes
Viviana
Rich, spot on! I specialise in cutting down on the overwhelm in the Turkish property market. I have a keyhole criteria … it works!
Maybe we should have “Fear of Information Overload” instead of “Fear of Missing Information” as we try to pack as much data/stuff/info into our craniums as possible!
I’m as guilty as the next person, although I’ve gotten much better lately
Hi Rich,
Thanks for the wonderful article. After implementing a strategic business process map system using the software at EdrawMax, my business has increased from an one-man outfit to a company of over 100+employees.
I just thought that you would like to know and say thank you.
All the best,
Doug Barger
Rich,
I’ve been lost in “information overload hell” and couldn’t focus on what I needed. I’d get interested in a particular strategy only to lose interest in it when the next one came along (and there’s ALWAYS a next one). Although the desire to be successful is hugely important, the same desire can be our downfall when it’s unfocused.
Mike Hughes
Hi Rich and all,
I have been a constant follower of Rich’s for 4 years now and learned a lot but not enough to stop me from falling into the bunny hole.
As Tesra, Steve C, Dan Scott and Michael Sells have stated I am going to get rid of a lot of emails to as they are a great cause of worry because I have been saving them for the 4 yrs I have been trying to get my web sights up and although there is a lot of good info out there you never seem to get that one thing you are looking for that is holding your goals back.
I have found that even my job (volunteer) secretary, public relations, designer for flyers, certificates and other printing things, bar person, kitchen hand & what ever else they needed; to a none profit organisation has suffered as I am told I am not doing this wright or that because it is not the way the president would put it.
Two weeks ago something happened that made me so made that I decided enough was enough and if they don’t like it get someone else. I have been doing it for 3 yrs now and I could use the break well and truly; I want to concentrate on getting my web pages up and start getting some money.
This may be of interest to those hoarders like me.
I originally had a 40 GB hard drive and filled it with info and downloads and affiliate sites, I had to get a new hard drive installed late 05 and it was a 80GB.
In that short time I am looking at getting a new one again because it is just about full. The PC is slow and error reports keep coming up.
I will keep my software downloads but I have started to do some hard cutting even before I read this.
Rich if you would not mind I need some help to put page links into my sights as well as transfers from PC to sights.
The above site has been in this stage for near on two years because I do not know how to get any further. I do my own designs and put it on the PC but this is as far as I get. when I put the links in they go anywhere but where they are supposed to.
I really appreciate your emails and I will certainly come here in a regular fashion as this is what I have been trying to get my teeth into.
Thanks.
Information overload? Bah. What is wrong with reading 600 newsletters, plus several ebooks per day, plus keeping up to date with the latest blogs?
Seriously though, when you sent out that free ebook about attention, I looked at the way that I work. Similar to several of the above, I unsubscribed from lists which weren’t telling me anything that I needed to know. I also only check my email between tasks.
I think this has made me a lot more productive.
It is all about striking a balance between getting the up to date knowledge of the Internet, that you need to do the job AND ACTUALLY DOING IT.
Cheers.
You promise to keep banging out good stuff, and I will keep my mouse away from the unsubscribe button.
Massively unsubscribe.
Especially those that insist you must grab so and so right now!
And delete ruthlessly.
This information marketing avalanche can suck the life out of you,
bring you no gain and cause anxiety.
Just choose something to focus on and do that.
Thanks Rich:
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear”. I’ve been pondering this question for a while and you manifested the answer so clearly. I felt as though I was in a super market looking for brocholie, but passing by the bread, realized that ‘oh yeh, I could use that’, and then there’s the butter, oh don’t forget the mustard, ketchup, but my original goal was to buy brocholie. When I’m searching the internet I keep this in mind – whatever I have decided to focus my attention on, is what I focus my attention on. Except when I don’t ; ^ ) you’ve given me the impetus to be more aware of my intentions and to execute accordingly.
Superb post Rich
I certainly suffer from information overload in the online marketing sphere. Thinking back to previous jobs which involved huge amounts of information I notice that there was no information overload!
Amazing!
In those jobs I had a real confidence in what I did and what I knew and therefore no overload.
This is a real insight for me, thanks a lot!
Feeling Underloaded Already!
alex
Rick,
you are very right.
Doing business with an overload of information does not get you on track. It sometimes takes curage to decide what is really important information and what is not.
It in fact is a matter of choice management and not of timemanagement to be very effective in doing what you do.
I am so glad to have found two mentors who help me get everything on track and not overload myself with information anymore.
Margriet Boogaard
http://www.MagneticallyWealthy.com
Great information Rich. I travelled all the way to the World Internet Summit just to hear you speak and held onto every word. In my mind, your information cuts through all the rest. Once I see an email from “Rich Schefren” it gets read.
I have followed your teaching on strategising everything and then following through with it. The hardest or biggest distraction for me is exactly the Info Overload – what’s the latest buz, the latest idea, etc – partly for me, partly for my readers.
The reslult could get out of hand with the abundance of emails that come through the pipe. I have applied your philosophy of following the action plan that comes from the strategy and goals I’m following at the time. Then measuring everything by it. Does the information I’m considering reading or even buying fit into the planned strategy? If not, I file it. If it does, I “priorize” it.
The worst distraction is email. I developed a folder system and committed myself to emptying my personal inbox each time I check it – either by deleting or filing. I then act upon emails according to the plan.
Even writing this comment develops purpose in the plan.
Thanks Rich for your great advice, as always. You ALWAYS give value.
William Sinclair
http://www.thequickandeasyguide.com
Home of the free fast start to online success
Rich,
Excellent article!
Al Diaz, Author
http://www.thetitusconcept.com
Rich,
Will you be doing anymore
informational videos soon?
Janet McNair
http://www.invisibleworkers.com
“You Can Offer Office Support from Home!”
Wow, did you hit the nail on the head. I am experiencing this, big time. I need to get rid of something. I do wonder if we shouldn’t have more then one method to promote our business, but accepting more ways is the pits.
I get offered so many suggestions, that I have gotten to the point of scrolling to the bottom of the offer to see the bottom line. They all have very interesting reading and reasons we should use their methods, but I don’t have time to read it all.
THEN, get this, this is the worst part. I get so many things and try so many ways, that some actually come around in another fashion or from someone else with a different headline and I don’t even know that I have signed up for it before.
There has to be a way – - – - – -
Some methods include everything you need in one place, yet that can become so overwhelming trying to use it.
On top of that, I believe that the methods offered are often for people that understand how to use THEIR method, whether it is adwords, or google or something that racks your brain until you are too tired to work.
Let’s KISS.
“Avoid the side effects of prescription drugs and financial woes.”
I have been mentor to a number of young and not-so- young entrpreneurs in a host of business lines.The main task I found for me was to relieve most of them from the information deficit anxiety which is a great paralyser.
By the time one is ready to start an enterprise, one would have accumulated enough of home grown wisdom or have had a professional training in the field. The actual knowledge deficit, if any can well be made good as we go along.
The practical solution I had been recommending is for them to write down the specific areas of knowledge deficit they perceive and then to discuss the list with them in a session where the subject is talked about but no mention is made of the list. The result has been wonderful. Most of them end up recalling enough of ideas and points of worth to their business that they are immediately convinced of their preparedness being adequate and the going becomes smooth.
Rich,
It is so easy to get lost in the avalanche of “got to have it” products arriving in the inbox every day. I subscribed at first to see what other marketers were doing and found it hard to get out of the habit of subscribing to more and more newsletters. So learn the basics, rely on what we already know and take daily action. Thanks for addressing an issue that plagues so many entrepreneurs.
Ted
Thanks Rich for reminding me to get back to where I was during the 5 years I was sailing. We had no TV, internet mostly at internet cafes, and very few magazines or newspapers; therefore, information overload simply wasn’t a problem.
You learned what you needed as you needed it. You relied totally on your inner resources to help you deal with a problem, i. e. when something on the boat broke, you figured out a way to fix it. If you couldn’t figure it out, there was no shame in asking another sailor for help. You quickly learned what was really important and focused on that.
Now that I’m in the process of moving back to land for a short time, I really appreciate the reminder to get back to the basics of life – starting with weeding out my email and bookmarks list.
Way to go, Rich, always giving me exactly what I need when I need it most. Many thanks.
Pam
P.S. Anybody want to try out my info overload solution for themselves? S/V Blue Star is for sale. Contact me through my web site for details.
Interesting post, and I think I agree to some extent. But how do you think a balance should be drawn? After all, I don’t think it helps anyone to become a know it all…
Personally I think it’s really healthy to be constantly aware of how little you really know. And I think that an important benefit of absorbing a lot of information is that it gives you a better grasp of how much more there is out there that you really don’t know much about.
And a good grasp of what you don’t know can help in the critical decision that, in my opinion, should come before every other important decision: “do I know enough about this to make a sensible decision, or do I need to learn more or find help first?”
Discipline gives you freedom.
Yes, it is short and sweet but speaks volumes!
I am as guilty of info over-glutinous consumption as anyone so I know from experience; if you want to make headway in your business and personal life focus on the basics, keep a list of what needs to be done and discipline yourself to get those basics done first.
Then once you are done doing what NEEDS to be done you can waste your time reading whatever other junk people are trying to sell you on. Or, you could go take a nice stress-relieving walk! Get out of the house, away from all the electronic devices and reconnect with the earth and your thoughts. Just let everything go and follow your bliss; breathe fresh air (unless you live in a city- then get out of town or go to the park).
Remember, you really do know everything you need to know to be where you want to be. Getting there is more in the doing then in the knowing; as you do you will learn what you need to know and refine your doing!
Here’s To Your Massive Success,
Sincerely,
Bruce Nelkin LMT
http://profitpowersecrets.com/
Why not go out on a limb?
That’s where ALL the fruit is!
Success depends on your backbone
Not on your wishbone.
Things Work Out Best, For Those Who Make The Best,
Of The Way Things Work Out.
Thoughts Determine What You Want,
ACTION Determines What You Get.
Hi:
Kudos to you and Amen to your super article.
Ditto to all those who posted unsubscribe to
irrelevant lists
Carol R.
P.S. When you find yourself signing up for another newsletter or list I now use the name “Sucker” so as I read the autoresponder follow ups I can keep in mind who I’ll be if I buy their stuff!
This helps cut down on the junk accumulation!
Hi Rich,
Of course, you’re right. If we cant, right now, honor ourselves, and the information we’ve gathered or that we already have access to, why jump through more hoops? The reason we started our six week course for entry level Internet marketers was precisely because we’d all experienced OVERWHELM.
In the IM world there is so much from so many, we loose track. Step-by-step and building a foundation with the knowledge you’re getting is the way to learn and apply. But when we just keep heaping diverse data on ourselves without a plan to apply it we’re like the losers in a pie eating contest. We’re just as full as the winner but he gets the prize and we’re all sick to our stomachs.
Write on!
Tom Justin
http://www.firststepinternetmarketing.com
Hi Rich,
Have you been following me around?
Wow!
Apparently these last few years are a universal experience…
at least for online business people.
I feel better because I know I am not alone but the problem
remains… What am I going to do about it?
Reading emails are definitely my largest time waster.
Some of them lead inevitably to sales pages and a
feeling of not wanting to be left behind.
I have purchase more products and information then I could use
in the next 3 years.
They serve only to confuse.
And when the business model is unclear… so are the results.
Thanks for your efforts to shine a bright light on this most disturbing issue.
Don P.
http://www.exerciseoften.com
I think your post has saved me again!
Like many other entrepreneurs, I am bombarded with new ideas on how to cash in on the latest email campaign.
But listening to your speach from an ETR seminar in 05- I have taken your advice on contracting out some of my work (no longer trying to learn it all). Using your school ex- the top Professors are experts in their field, they are not teaching every possible topic to every student, hopiing they don’t miss anyone.
I’m not sure you are saying this in the blog- but I am interpreting it to read that by focusing on the “Money Making Ideas”, and then taking action, I am staying on target. This doesn’t mean, learning everything there to know about building a site, doing all my own copy and so on.
I have taken the first steps of finding a Great Copywriter who understands my work. The next step is getting a webmaster who understands my needs.
By spending a bit of time surrounding myself with a team and spending money to get the ball rolling- I have taken action, which really does feel great.
Back in the day, taking action was buying anther product and hoping that it would magically make me $$. All it did was give me about a weeks worth of reading, learning and then the ultimate realization that it wasn’t going to make me rich over night, and that it would take time to learn and master- and after all that, it would probably work ok, but if I had XYZ- it would really work well……
Hell I’m the entrepreneur- If I wanted to keep working I’d sell my services on Elance like anyone else!
Later,
Shane Melanson
i want be fine in my life
Rich,
great post, and your point about self esteem and failure to trust your intuition being the twin root causes is very well made.
My solution – like a few other people on this list – unsuscribe from any list that’s no longer giving me value. Have a clear plan so that I know what I want to do and know where the gaps in my knowledge are and set about finding ONLY the stuff I need to know.
Keep up te good work
Kevin
Hi I Would Like Have My Own Web Page For My Work Thank You Deborah Bowman
As I Been Doing Well Thank You Deborah Bowman.
Hi Rich,
Thanks for the insights. Most clients I have suffer from the overload and even more from the fear. It’s indeed about your perspective and your mindset.
I know another tricky one.:)) What you think about what is important and what is urgent?
All the best,
Coach Ronny
http://www.techie-powertools-for-coaches.com
Hello Rich,
I am so inexperienced that I really cannot saywhat I feel confident about anything.but as I read all that you wrote I could not but help feeling agrowing confidence within my mind It was as if you were reassuring me that I have a good mind and can cope with the “test”ahead ofme.
At the end I realise all that you said was giving me confidence and I am glad for you and others like you who give good advice as you do I treasure every word and am easier now in my overloaded mind . I call it “my overstuffed cupboard”
“because everytime I open it something falls out!!” Just joking!
Good morning!
I love these topics. You have no idea, you always like to discuss my favorite topics. Your discussions are my favorite cup:-)
Ok, back to main subject, few things I’d like to share with you: Fear, confidence, and speed.
Life taught me to stay positive about every thing I encounter including the “not funny at all” situations. I once went on a trip to Jamaica, and there I took an excursion to climb the highest false they have there. On the way the tour manager was talking about the Jamaican culture and way of living. And she said something that still lingers in my head. She said “in here, we don’t have problems. Problems don’t exist in our culture. If something bad happen or conflict or accident any thing, we don’t say we have a problem. We say we have a situation”.
I was saying to myself “It’s amazing how these people live a very simple not so fancy and not rich at all, yet very happy and relaxed enjoying every moment in their life”. It’s their positive attitude that keep the big shiny smile that we lack to see around us these days.
So positive attitude is vital even in crisis. Studies show that people with positive attitude live healthier, longer, and can cope with stress faster.
Fear has 2 faces. It can pull you down, or push you up. Depends on how you approach your feelings.
Yes I was an A student since grade one until I finished my masters degree. I graduated as an honor student with distinction. Yet, every exam I enter, it’s the same feeling. FEAR, FEAR, FEAR.
But how did I manage, it’s because I approach fear in a positive way. It gives me strength and positive energy. Because I fear of not achieving what I’m aiming for, I say “ok ok ok, guys no one disturb me now. I have to finish my studying. I have to study more I haven’t studied enough”. I lock myself in my room. I don’t see anyone. I don’t talk to anyone until I get out of the exam. I simply don’t allow any distraction when I need to get something done. You can have the civil war beside me, I will still be studying, it won’t change anything:-) But I am a last minute person I have to admit. I play all year long and only at exams time I remember to study.
But I agree, I saw examples of people fear let them panic. So, they easily lose concentration and focus. And that’s the other face of it. Some people approach fear negatively. When they fear, they start thinking that they will fail, they can’t do this, there is no way they will pass the exam, they’re not ready for this..etc.
bottom line is “if you say you can do it, you will do it” and vice versa.
I just remembered my 1st dance competition. It was latin dances rumba, mambo, cha cha, and meringue. I was all nervous and the teacher scared me to death. And when I went there and saw the competitors, my heart beat went to the roof. They’ve been competing for long time and it was my 1st time. Same thing, few days before the competition, I increased the practice time. I always say, oh I have to practice more and more to get better. But all the time I say the same thing: I CAN DO IT. And I did it, even my dance teacher didn’t believe it when they called my name for ALL the dances I competed in as holding the 1st place. I got the troffy. My teacher did not believe it. The competitors were from all over canada and united states. I can do it. I take fear positively that it pushes me up.
Confidence? you’ve gotta believe in yourself. You must have peace with your own self. Your feelings about yourself is your image to other people. No body is perfect. We all have defaults, we all do mistakes. And the only way we learn is by doing mistakes. Again, if you approach a mistake in life negatively, it will drag you down. Approach it positively. Say, I admit I made a mistake. It’s a lesson learned and move on. And if you do the same mistake again. Don’t feel bad. This means you didn’t learn the lesson the 1st time. Some people learn faster than others and these are capabilities. On day you will learn that lesson.
Last thing is speed. Many people think by doing things fast they will reach up sooner. They end up no where. Because doing things fast make you lose up n quality and lose focus sometimes and you lose control over things sometimes. Let me elaborate. Speed is different for different people. It’s like driving a car. There is a limit to how fast a driver can go with keeping control over the car. Some drivers can reach higher speed in the highway and maintain control over the car, while others can only reach 60. Both, If they go higher than their maximum, they start loosing control and focus, hence accidents. That’s exactly same with our speed to grow. Yes, you need to go full speed, but you have to be careful not to exceed your maximum. You have to train yourself to increase your maximum. Otherwise, you maybe hurting yourself. If you feel you started to loose control and focus, you need to slow it down to gain full speed after. This reminds me of the say “if you want to take a step forward, you need to take a step backward”!
To summarize, keep it positive. Believe in yourself. Have peace with yourself. Learn your lessons, you only get better once you learn them. Don’t let situations get over you, let yourself get over situations. Take actions to be better in what you’re doing, don’t just day dream. FOCUS. Some times you need to slow down to speed up…
cheers
Amal
Thank you, Rich,
This topic is exactly what I’ve been thinking about. I’m a newbie who’s been trying to get started. I get stuck every step of the way. Hence, all the offers, newsletters, and products. Now I’m definitely in information, email, document, and favorites overload! I don’t even know which ones are good and which ones I really don’t need. I’ve been anxious about this and had already decided to weed out – but which ones? I do know one thing. All this has kept me from actually doing the work I need to do. You’re right, it’s fear that I can’t compete with all of these others that paralyzes me. But your post has helped me see that I’m not alone in this. I’ll always be a newbie if I don’t focus on one thing at a time. Thanks.
You’re always dead on Rich.
Hi Rich!
Thank you so much for this blog post. LOVE that line…
“So, value what you know already. It’s a lot more than you probably give yourself credit for. Real growth, the type that translates into wealth, is more often accumulated through your direct experience.”
It really delivers the whole jeez of this information overloading thing. I have just started my university studies, and after reading this post I’m definitely taking a new mindset on how I should choose what I want to study.
I’m a fan of your the GREAT stuff you put out for all of us. After reading your Manifesto and Attention Doctrine, I realized that I did LOTS of things wrongly in my life and online business. Now with what you have taught I’m heading in a new direction.
Thank You Richard.
Kai Wei
http://www.InternetMarketing4Noobs.com
This is a great article, and refreshingly different from the “let me sell you my secret of making 27 gazillion dollars a day!”
As an attorney (who dabbles in online marketing), I combat information overload by using a simple filter: “What will I do with the answer to this question?” If the answer is then I keep the information.
The ONLY exception is when my kids want to tell me something. THAT is information that is inherently valuable.
RIght now – for the online marketing stuff – I am focusing on building a list, and on changing my website to focus more on relationships and how improving relationships can improve different areas of your life.
Responding to the questions in your article, I have made those selections by focusing my life on what’s important. My family, my career, my relationships with co-workers and clients are important, so this allows me to put issues involving them as a priority. So no matter HOW much I want to see the latest MMA rankings, or where my alma mater is on the college football power rankings (low 150’s, I believe!), my priorities allow me to set that aside until I fulfill my responsibilities.
And 4 hours spent in the evening with your kids or your spouse is a better investment than 4 hours spent trying to get that link working on your website.
Great information rich, hit the nail right on the head .I think I’ll need a way to deal with my mailbox. Recently I stated to clear all my stuff from my computer to have only the things installed that I really need.
One could really bury oneself in all this information.
Thanks for helping clearing my mind.
This is a great post Rich.
This is the main reason that all of our marketing efforts should be extremely razor focused into niches/micro-niches.
In reading the responses here, we all agree if the content is not EXACTLY what we want (and over delivered in value), the marketing is wasted. I strive to deliver razor content and I find it much more welcome then blanket marketing. We can do our part in reducing info overload by what we don’t send.
I hear you and I see others pain in this arena. I struggled (still do) coming to terms with “so much to do, so little time” and was up against the wall before I listened to the voice of reason and started to “just do it” – it is so very easy to miss seeing the wood because all the damn trees are in the way. What Martin F says. Too true. Blue. But no boo-hoo.
Rich,
This is excellent…spoke right to me and I know will resonate with every entrepreneur—thank you!
Hello Rich,
I believe it’s important to be aware of what is happening but it is not critical to act on all you hear and are exposed to. Understanding that is key. Often when I start thinking about this or that I begin to feel overwhelmed. But once I focus on the project at hand, I am able to get into the zone.
I made a decision last year that I would not purchase and chase all the new tactics or ideas until I had a clear project in mind and objective. This has helped me stay on task and actually get things done.
With information overload it is very easy to be one heck of a researcher never executing against any of the ideas. This leads to the feelings of low self-esteem.
Thanks,
Greg
http://www.bluesskybrothers.com
Appreciate the clarity you bring! I’m the ultimate info-junky and not just online. I have articles saved from 20 years ago. I subscribe to newspapers, tons of magazines, buy lots of books, go to the library…and spend hours online. All on multiple topics. I go to seminars, adult ed, take credit classes, collect degrees. The good part: I know lots, can help others, can research and find what I need, and have many ideas for myself and others.
The other side: I get stuck on constantly look for more info and feeling like I’m not ready. I don’t know enough. I don’t take enough action.
You are correct in saying our education system causes some of this. Not only are we worried about having the knowledge we need for the test, but we are taught there is a CORRECT answer to everything. Sure, there are better and more ethical ways of doing things, but in life there are usually many ways to proceed. We get stuck looking for that one right way.
Besides convincing ourselves we know ENOUGH to move forward, taking action is the key. I have found I take action when I have deadlines and pressure. (Not that it’s good to work with stress and pressure!) So maybe I need to create clear plans and systems to follow, set schedules and deadlines, time limits for completion and for how much time I can spend on more information! Thanks so much to Rich and all of you who commented!
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It’s so true. And I’m still trying to get out of this problem. I am getting into too many things and I just wish that there was someone who could tell me that I’m wasting my time on this and that, and that it should be spent on this or that. We only have so many hours each day and I know I have the talent for success. I’ve taken on simpleology (all 3 courses!) and still progress is slow. Part of my problem is that I act on my info, not totally completely like a nut, but still I’m not focusing on the one or two things I need to do in order to earn my living instead of spreading thin. I’ve taken on lots of things, but now I just don’t know what to eliminate.
It’s really beautiful that a new face of business is emerging which acknowledges and works with how our emotions affect our activities and choices, and that we can view ourselves as emotional beings without undercutting our own success– your mentioning the fear that lives in self sabotage and bad time management, in example. In the old business model, the ability to be ruthless was tantamount to achievement (how many Native Americans were killed for a railroad’s passage? How many children were chained to machines to birth the industrial revolution?). You’re a maverick, Rich, and I’ve enjoyed reading and benefitted from all your Manifestos and especially that Attention Deficit Doctrine I got a hold of a couple months ago. I know I’m one of many, many who so appreciate your candid and magnanimous offerings.
Ah, you’ve described me to a T. A couple of months ago I decided to unsubscribe from nearly all the internet marketing lists (yours being one of the few exceptions) and focus on the key areas . I’ve lived 5 decades, and surely I know something by now.
I think many of us who tend to be perennial students are overlooking one really obvious skill–we’re great researchers! The ability to effectively research, sort and sift information is a talent in itself, and an ability that a lot of businesses that don’t have time to research will pay a bundle for.
The trick is to get the sorting and sifting down, and figure out how to apply these skills to a real business. That does require some focus. I’m still working on that part…
Ah, you’ve described me to a T. A couple of months ago I decided to unsubscribe from nearly all the internet marketing lists (yours being one of the few exceptions) and focus on my key skills and knowledge. I’ve lived five decades, and surely I’ve learned something by now.
I think many of us who tend to be perennial students are overlooking one really obvious skill–we’re great researchers! The ability to effectively research, sort and sift information is a talent in itself, and an ability that a lot of businesses that don’t have time to research will pay a bundle for.
The trick is to get the sorting and sifting down, and figure out how to apply these skills to a real business. That does require some focus. I’m still working on that part…
Wow!!! Absolutely true. I’m normally a happy productive guy…..but since getting involved with information overload…..I have anxiety….spent a ton of money…..lost 25 pounds. The list goes on and on.
You hit it right on the head. Trust myself.
Thankyou…..thankyou
Roy
Great Post Rich! Since I started with my web business I have had 800-900 e-mails in my inbox. This is mind boggling and a little crazy when I only receive a few visitors to my web-site. Steve C. post’s a good idea for eliminating some of this time consuming mail. Cancel some of these subscriptions that are not helping and concentrate on the ones I am using.
Good article; thanks Rich. The problem – as I see it – is discerning between “need to know” and “nice to know” info. And we “info-junkies” often have a hard time making that distinction.
RE: Deadlines and pressure – not all stress is bad. Having deadlines (self-imposed or otherwise) forces us to focus only on those tasks (including info-gathering, etc.) that are critical and ignore, delay or delegate the rest.
I think all our lives could be greatly enhanced and improved by getting a copy of “The Four Hour Work Week” by Tim Ferris – and having the courage to actually implement the concepts and ideas he puts forth. I am reading it now, and it is mind-blowing.
Of course, like everyone else, I was skeptical of the title (which is brilliant, by the way – his intent was to make us skeptical, yet so intrigued so as to make it irresistable – worked on me!) But the more I read, the more I’m believing the lifestyle he describes (and purports to live) really is possible.
Rich, the problem I find is that you need to sift through tons of information to find that little gem. Too many info marketers fill it with so much fluff it makes it difficult. Or a lot of the info is basic, 101 stuff and you need the advanced level.
Anyway good post!
Justin Bryce
Funny how today I was reading a similar post by an Internet Marketer who was basically saying the same thing “Don’t buy everything new that comes out”
It might cause you “information overload”.
Ok so it’s a good point, but, I find it interesting that most of these Gurus, Marketers, etc lately are trying to educate others about information overload, meanwhile, their millions have been made by selling what? You guessed it…
Information.
As I read these type of topics, they are usually written in the form of a very informative and heart warming article designed to gain my trust in the knowledge of the marketer, but then somewhere down the road, like clockwork, this same marketer has to do, guess what,… exactly,… come out with something new to sell me in order to cause me information overload. How else do they earn money?
So my conclusion is that these marketers are banking on the idea that their subscribers will listen and stop buying everything new (from others). In hopes that they can then turn around and offer some sort of solution to the madness in a box to their own subscribers. What a concept.
Let me add a question for everyone (marketers, etc) reading this post. If you agree that there’s too much information overload when it comes to your own situation, then why are you attempting to earn your money by trying to sell this burden (more information) to your potential customers such as ebooks, courses etc?
Is it greed? Knowingly selling a bad thing? You should be ashamed :)
I guess for many, that has been the nature of the Internet and regular business for that matter. (I used to work for a large electronics chain who sold cheap crap by the thousands but today still markets it as if it were Gold.)
Anyhow, back to information, you are selling it probably because it’s the easiest thing to sell. There will always be information junkies, people who simply love to read, and those who are researching a topic of interest and will spend all their money on anything on the topic that you can provide.
So therefore I say, God Bless information overload.
I found Rich theory on information overload to be in line with what most of us experience or have experienced I certainly did and still do to some extent.
It takes time to research and then come back to the conclusion that most stuff out there is not new, is known to you while keeping an eye on what it’s really new and important for you to keep up to date. You learn as you go and keep dumping on the so called “gurus†.
Arnold has a very interesting angle on this and I agree with him as well. But then I clicked on his link an got to “Profitmatic†Not sure that is good or bad have seen these guys around with their video…will check that out Arnold.
I particularly like this one from Arnold because I got #$@% by the best in the industry and that was a $1,500 “product” not a cheap e-book but the value was as Arnold says here. Selling crap and label it as Gold happens all the time.
Not only we get information overload but we pay for it too and that is something we can really cut down on. So Arnold well put it very well here “Is it greed? Knowingly selling a bad thing? You should be ashamed
I guess for many, that has been the nature of the Internet and regular business for that matter. (I used to work for a large electronics chain who sold cheap crap by the thousands but today still markets it as if it were Gold.)â€
Thanks Rich you are the best there is out there.
In comment to Arnold’s posting above I would like to say to Arnold “if you can’t stand the heat then stay out of the kitchen.” If there weren’t people selling information products then nore of us would know how to internet market.
Mr Rich Scheferen,
Thankyou for this valuable content.
Your content is on the nose, it can
help many people online.
Heres to you!
Lisa Lomas
CMU7 Coach
I absolutely agree. I wasted whole 2 years jumping from one opportunity to another. I started focusing recently and in less than 2 months, I am already making small profits.
See the target, hit it until you hit it – learned from simpleology ;)
regds,
Deep Arora
This is me to a ‘T’. I overanalyze and research everything to death. Why? Because I hate failing. I hate going into things where I feel that I’m just playing around because I don’t REALLY know what I’m doing. Part of the problem, I believe, is that there are an abundance of so called “Internet Gurus” and they all specialize now in one area and most everyone of them recommends the other guys program or membership site as a “must have” to succeed online. You say “You have to push yourself away from the bountiful harvest of information and only select what you truly need to fuel your business growth.” And therein lies the problem for 99.9% of internet entrepreneurs, and that is, sifting through the sea of information and cherry picking only the stuff you need. Who out there does this and only gets the ‘right’ information on the first, second, or upteenth time? How could anyone realistically sift through all the information available to find the diamonds in the rough? I’ll tell you this much, anyone out there who finds a method for doing this and providing this information to people will make millions. So far though, I’ve yet to see this. It seems that everyone out there needs to connect the dots in their own fashion and those that connect the right dots with the right information make it. Meanwhile, I’m still sifting through the dots not really knowing if I need it or not.
Hi Rich
You are spot on as this seems to be the big problem that faces everyone who aspires to create a business on the net. Because there are so many options the feedback I get all the time is – how do you decide which is the best way for me to approach making money on the net? We are all so easily distracted by the next shiny object aren’t we?
I really think it is best to choose one method that just feels right, that you can imagine yourself doing for quite a while – and choose to ignore anything that is not related. That delete button is one of the most powerful relievers of anxiety I know of! Sure you may miss out on a great opportunity but more likely you’ll create something substantial instead.
Love how you spark these discussions.
Cheers
Janet
The Original Wonderful Web Woman!
Rich; At this point in my life(82 yrs). I look at other comments from so many people. Almost to 100% (did not do a math survey) your readers agree with You. I too, agree with you for the record. That said, if we dig deeper into ourselves, We must come to the ultimate conclusion that it is our responsibility to decide what we let into our lives. So let’s all get with THE Program. What is th value system you have in your life. Think about your Life values. List them. Now you have your Path. Thank You, Rich for all Your writings and good words. Ray
Rich,
You nailed it. Especially when just starting out it is so easy to get distracted by the waves of information coming at you. We have to conditioin ourself to choose the best wave and ride it to success. We can end up spending all our time filitering through information and no time focusing on the money tasks. Thanks for the reminer.
Hi Rich:
I just spent this month going thru all the subscriptions i have that i never have time to look at. I’ll be saving over $1000 a month, and letting go of the pressure to have to keep up.
The Internet is so full of self proclaimed experts who write great copy but it’s all blather. A part of me feels like great copywriters are the scourge of the Internet. Everyone telling me how i can’t live without their product. It pays to be paranoid in this crazy world.
When I sit down and think about what has made me successful, not much of it is related to Internet gurus. It’s been all about applying myself. You say it all the time.
When i listen to your coaching calls and go to the big seminars, i am stunned at how the majority of the audience hasn’t even begun to implement the principles they’ve learned. I think some people equate going to seminars with doing work, so they feel better when they spend a lot of money and time at these workshops.
If i had one thing to say to your listeners, it would be “stop spending so much time trying to find that perfect product or idea, and get to work. Just pick something, anything, and start taking action. Even if your sales are down, this is where the real learning happens.”
I’m in Seattle, at a movement workshop, having a ball and happy to be able to say “Hey, Rich told me to do this, don’t blame me!”
Your So Right,
Sometimes I feel like I’m chasing my tail trying to learn everything about Online Marketing at the same time. Then there is the cost of all the cool tools and tricks that come out every week. I need to focus more on what I have already learned and take action and create things of value even if it is only content to start. I think that anyone can benefit from learning a little everyday, not from trying to learn it all overnight…
Thanks,
Steve
BestKeywordSearch.com
Rich, so spot on… it is one of the biggest problems for people that do not have an end in mind. If you don’t have some sort of goal writtten down then it is very easy to become distracted by the thousands of other ideas going in different directions. Like a boat without a keel, rudder or sail one is at the mercy of wind and tide to drift in any direction.
Make your decisions as to where you want to be and by when. Define what it is you need to get you there (i.e. the boat). And set out, if you pick up the odd paddle along the way, fine… but keep heading for your next desired port of call.
Always recognising that success is a journey, not a destination.
Great reading…
I’ve read pretty much all your recent reports and posts, it all ads up and again and again reminds me and everybody that it is down to “youâ€, your confidence, work ethics and passion to succeed in this world. Doesn’t matter is it Online or Offline.
Thanks Rich,
.jr
A few familiar bells ringing when I read this post!
I still amaze myself when I go to industry talks (SEO, Web Standards, Accessibility) given by the “experts” and find I know 95% of what they’re talking about, and sometimes even more.
And yet unless I’m in that situation I do forget just how much I know.
You are SOOOO spot on! :)
I have been on the net for 11 years and I think I came here with information overload and at times it has almost completely stopped me cold. It feels like I’m chasing my tail trying to learn everything about Online Marketing at the same time. Then there is the cost of all the cool tools and tricks that come out every week. I have taught myself how to do almost anything that needs to be done on a website. Thank You so much. Your Post is so RIGHT.
Thank You for putting into words That really HELP.
Just to salut this sophisticated analysis of the entrepreneur behavior.
Rich, you should write a true print book. You have so much to teach that you can’t afford to deny to share it with the masses.
I’m a cameroonian (a small country in Central Africa) guy and in one of our dialect, we say in these kind of situation: “Ô bosso” which mean: “keep go on foward !”
Peace & love with Passion.
Armel
Fantastic post Rich.
I just wrote about how we can get pulled into one rabbit hole after another in seek of knowledge. I used your post as inspiration. I’m sure we’ve all had hours when we chase rabbits down rabbit holes.
http://creativevisionbooks.com/blog/2007/08/17/business-wise-chasing-rabbits-down-rabbit-holes/
Rich,
All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you.
I recently unsubscribed from numerous newsletters – and those disguising themselves as newsletters – because I had become the proverbial, “deer in the headlights.”
But then I worried that I may have made a mistake by doing so because I might miss some important happenings within the industry.
Your post has made me realize that I didn’t.
Sharon Bray-McPherson
JanRon Publishing Digitals and Article Directory
Hi Rich, boy I could so relate to this blog.
I am a fulltime Mum who started learning internet marketing nearly 8 mths ago. I thought I was going to become rich overnight but soon learnt that there was alot to learn. Like most kids in a candy store I started seeing all these wonderful websites wanting to help me, only to find that there was a lot of repetition and outdated information being sold to the unsuspecting newbies like me.
Well 8 mths later and I have learnt so much. I have also taken the time to choose those internet marketers on the web that I trust as mentors and I am now learning quality information that is helping me become better at my trade.
You know a true internet marketer that really wants to help when you ask them a question and they give you their advice for free. I met one of those by chance recently called Brett Smith. Now he could tell I was a learner and that he had acquired my trust and could of made a bit of money out of me selling his wares and his joint venture products. But instead he told me to not purchase any more information for the time being and sit back and absorb what I had learnt so far and become better at what I was already doing. And then he proceeded to send me information for free to help me in areas where I was lacking. That was a huge WOW for me.
So there are genuine people out there , who really are earning the 6 figure incomes who really want to see you succeed. But unfortunately they are very few and far between.
My advice to others is as Rich said, sit back and smell the roses. Look back to see how far you have come, how much knowledge you have already absorbed and give yourself the well earned credit you deserve. Then find the time to give back and help others where you can because it will come back to you 10 fold in return.
I know I will be successful in this business because I have the right mindset, tools and mentors to help me get where I want to go. Keep up the good work Rich. It is people like you and blogs like this that help people like me to clear out the clutter and move forward.
Have a great week everybody and may it be filled with huge sales and a magnitude of success.
Pam
http:www.yourjourney.net.au
Awesome post, Rich!
I am subscribed to you since long time and I have realized very fast that you will be one of the very few lists that I will stay subcribed to for sure.
But this is again an information overload situation for me, lol!
I want to read through all this thread, all the comments to get wiser about how to avoid information overload…
Huh, have I learned anything from your post??
I thought so!
Well, I’m shutting down my PC now… :)
Andy
Just What I needed. To stop what I was doing to sort thru more info to find I already KNEW the answer. POOF!! WHAM…. Sorry Back to Watching Windows (Seperate) Thanks Rich,,Love Ya ZWONK
Rich
Learn and take action, I agree 100% with take action. I am a information junkie and tend to get caught in the learn and learn and learn without taking action loop. It is definitely very paralyzing. I am young and starting out on the building my business road. We are all very unique in our approach to information. I am not as organized, and this could be a problem, but as Mr. Robbins said, “It is not about time management, it is about time mastery” and this fits snugly with your “Trust your instinct” statement. I believe each and every person have the innate ability “know” what to do, we should really learn to trust ourselves more :-)
Thanks for a great post.
Rich, your info is fantastic.
Is any of it on YouTube?
Richard
http://www.super2up.net
PS- Really miss those videos.
Martin F, if you read this – you say you are frustrated with what you “need” to do versus what you “want” to do – I venture to say – you may be doing the wrong thing to fulfill your needs.
A very wise teacher in the personal development arena showed me some processes to stop myself self sabotaging. He said that anything I do must be consistent with my internal values and morals. If not, then i will constantly self-sabotage as deep down I will see them as nopt really being worth my time and effort.
A good way to do this is to picture your own funeral – wwrite down what you would like the key people in your life to say about you as a eulogy – family, friends, mentors, colleagues, acquaintances – make it personal. AFter you do that, you will notice certain things repeating amongst all this. Write them down, then prioritise them. Tehse are the attributes that your work shopuld contain in order to make you happy to be doing it.
Hope this helps.
Hi there,
I love this clean page.
I’m new to your blog, but not your subject matter.
Like the others, I’m plagued with it daily! :)
I’ve actually written about it myself.
I’ll give the link, just in case anyone would like to read it. I’m sure
you can take it out, if you like?
http://www.submityourarticle.com/articles/Carolyn-Permentier-2201/copywriting-17807.php
As one person said, I’ve also started to unsubscribe
to those who are always selling something … like every
other day or so!
I think you’re so right, when you say that it’s just part of the
entrepreneural spirit to ‘want to know/do more.’
For me, as a writer, what I struggle with are the technical
aspects.
I’m not a techie, yet because of my individualist,
loner-type nature … I’ve been trying to do it all! And I’m
drowning! (Gurggle, gulp.)
So, one of the cures is to find someone to
handle the technical aspects for me, so I can be
freed up to do what I do best … write!
I tell clients to stay in their “core competency,” and
let me handle their copywriting. (But do I follow my
own advice? Nooooo.)
So, John Carlton writes for you? What a legand!
(We have kickass in common.) :)
Thanks for your no BS-type of delivery.
Great blog!
Ciao,
Carolyn Permentier
http://kickasscopywriter.com
Overwhelm is the enemy of productivity. It comes in the guise of the helpful resource then, like adding water to concrete, hardens and becomes a barrier.
One of the problems with the Internet is that there is so much FREE stuff. We’ve become like gluttons at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Better eat all you can, you might miss something. Throwing up is hardly a consideration. . .at the time.
We are all ignorant of different things. This makes it very difficult to discern a lot of the info offered up, both free and commercial.
My challenge in learning about Internet marketing in the beginning was that hardly anyone (the gurus) wrote understandable (the the newbie) prose. It was like buying a manual on how to fly a plane and the very first page starts with, “Once you reach 39,000 feet, level off.”
It’s all one step at a time. Take only that which you need, chew (read) slowly, swallow, then pause to enjoy.
If something doesn’t taste good, don’t eat anymore. You’ll know if the first few minutes.
And, instead of looking for low cost poorly cooked, find good tasting, well prepared items already favorably reviewed.
Then, when you write about it, try not to mix up your metaphors. Well, what do you expect for free?
I completely agree with Tom.
It is amazing with all the free stuff out there how it is difficult to sort the wheat from the chaff.
Knowing when to stop and to make a decision on what direction you are going in is essential.
I have certainly been in this situation and it is frustrating, but once you are aware of what you are doing you can take better control of the situation and realise that the “paralysis of analysis” has got to stop!
Does this sound familiar ” I once was lost, but now I am found. Was blind, but now I see”.
That’s just how I was with the info overload and the only $197 or only £6 or $9.97. so I became word and number blind. No list money depleting, the candle of hope struggling to stay alive.
Then my computer crashed, I lost most of the info I had. Then I had to wait for the computer be repaired and oh what bliss, the pressure felt lifted from my shoulders. I knew then that something had to change; and that something was me.
My senses now restored, I only stay subscribed with the people who have supplied me with useful and helpful info and that includes you Rich, and a big thank you for being there.
Paul (U.K)
Hi Rich, Bettie’s here.
You asked for – brace yourself!
I agree with Paul a bit here. I have downloaded, collected,
bought, and accepted so much Paid for & Free info., that
I haven’t missed too much.
Then my computer was hit, crashed and I lost ‘lots of
fantastic software programs, very valuable ebooks and
just about any subject you could imagine to make money
and grow my online business at home, but below is my
problem with what I know and what I do with what I know.
First to admit what I don’t know. Most think I am brilliant!
They are those who don’t know as much as I do. I made
Many mistakes for approximately 2 1/2 years working online,
before I learned what I know now – managing my own franchise
website, many domains, stores, malls, affiliate programs and
even (self taught) pc tech work, ‘Not knowing Didd-lie or what
I was about to learn or get in to.
That’s how I learned what I do know now. INSTANT Crash
E-Courses & inc., plus corp. style Tasks were put on me.
I didn’t realize how much I needed ‘A’ real teacher/instructor.
I ended up having to go back to college again to have a few
questions answered in person for me. Shame, huh?
Absolutely NO prior computer experience. I opened the door
on my new computer to every Trojan, virus also the worms
and parasites (the cousins).
I helped re-install my OS at least on three different occasions.
No Choice in the matter here. During this time, I learned
computer tech and now on my way back to college for
A+COMP -TS & RT soon.
Now I’ll still be able to teach others what I do know, and
what I don’t know, we’ll find the answer together.
I had no direct support or help, just emails. I desired so
badly to speak with a person who could understand my
simple page layout or setup, and I felt so alone, I did the
best I could.
Still have some renovations (work)to do on my blogs, but
everything there came from a ‘real green newbie’ 3 years
ago, me!
http://success2u-forthe.blogspot.com
You and Anyone can comment if you wish because your
opinions means so much to me and I appreciate them.
I hope it is OK to give my blog site link for feedback here
on Rich’s blog.
If I am wrong, I apologize deeply Rich, but Your Expertise
& Your Opinion, Comment or ANY Feedback is most
important to me, and Thank You kindly!
Healthy critiques are always welcome, plus respected.
Please no intimidating or rudeness!
I’ll respect your knowledge plus honesty in knowing
what I need to change or re-arrange.
Please feel free to leave comments or send your best
feedback, without ‘no sales offers’, because I probably
already have the software program installed on my pc.
I do have many tools to work with. Just ideas are mainly needed.
I will listen to you & check out what all of you have to say!!
You may post & leave a link there also of your choice, but
no profanity or disrespect to anyone who may read them.
Is there any such person out there who will seriously give
a courtesy phone call to a serious online business entrepreneur?
Does this person exist? I know everybody is busy, but what I don’t
know is keeping me from making thousands weekly myself, by my
Not working with what I have and know!
Some of your readers’ blog pages, and also your layouts are out
of this world in content, background, style colors and layouts.
My layout of my blog confuses me, and I cannot pinpoint what it is.
I am missing that real concerned personal – one on one voice with the
knowledge I seek.
I work well by seeing, but hearing someone speak personally to me
(phone or in person) is awesomely healthy, and oh so pleasant, for
the success of my online business. Selfish huh? :-)
Other Ways have been difficult for me. :-(
So I keep what I do know locked up inside of me.
I truly don’t mind assisting anyone myself and I have done so, yet
when I get Bom-barded with more info than I can handle – to add to
my overload, I become overwhelmed, seeing thousands of email offers,
of More Info..
I don’t need to buy any other ebook or program. I simply
need help with what I have now. Buying more – earning less
is what got me in to trouble in the first place.
Here again I started reading more new stuff, always felt
that one can never know too much. Thinking that I was
missing something that could get me back on track or
even put me on track.
Basically, It is what you don’t know that could hurt you
or frighten you – ‘thinking of the inevitable.
So we continue to search.
Rich put it to you straight saying “the way it is & was.”
Tell me, Exactly – What are we looking for anyway?
Instead of putting our resource center on our computer
to work for us, ‘we do buy more products’. We bought
them, so we should now learn to use them. All of it!
Totally impossible for me to use it all, point blank!
Personally, I have a medium to high self esteem, definitely
Not low. I need to use or should I say, Work with what
I already have, And can do. Somehow it is not enough.
Another believable saying – Many systems work – And
Many people don’t work! I believe this too.
I’d Do more (or maybe work Less) plus make more money
if I didn’t get lost in the instruction/directions on my way.
Thanks!! Right On Target again. That’s me alright!
You always describe me. I do know a great deal,
much more than I give myself credit for.
Also I have this unusual shyness within me when it comes
to doing business online when there is no person to answer
a question verbal, I become stagnated!.
Then, what do I do?
So persistent & tenacious, to keep going, I jump to ‘crash
learning something else I feel could help me, then BOOM!!
Stuck again on somewhat another simple task, not fully
understanding how to make a software program, etc work
for me, instead of against me, except – once again ‘One other
small task that holds me back from succeeding in my business.
I think I know so much that I don’t grasp any of it 100% completely -
only about 98%. That 2% is what does it. Day Dreaming & Scratching
my head the other 2%.
Maybe one of the other readers can identify with this ‘true to life’
statement here! Sort of hiding within myself. Not sharing or having
anyone to share this stumbling bloc!
Hard to explain. I have every ‘how to earn a living from home -
working on the internet, information report programs, packages
and tools, that’s out there, coming from all directions on the market
today! Offers coming at me for ‘what is resting in my folders already.
I accept them, but I can use a few answers or help that doesn’t
encounter the selling of anything to either party.
I have and have read some of everyone’s internet marketing strategies
to make money on the net, and where I stumble on problems is when
I have problems implementing, building handsome content web-pages,
and so forth when it is all there in my face.
So, what I do…run into that same info some where else, only to find
out I have the same to similar valuable content or software downloaded
& saved on my computer.
I know enough to teach others a thing or two, but I need help implementing
text images, links on my own site.
What it looks like to someone else – is that I may be inexperienced.
To set the record straight, I am a literate computer intermediate user,
with some tech experience.
So I truly think I devalue my knowledge and expertise in many areas
of the use of systems and tools in marketing on the net!
Bettie,
http://ezrssmedia.com/betwyl611.htm