Oh dear, you have really got my number! Didn’t think the reason I procrastinate so much on my many ideas was because I am an informatin junkie, but this really hit home. I spend my life sharing information with others, and gleefully gathering it in and indeed don’t have enough time to get most of my ideas off the drawing board and onto the web site. So thank you for the insight! AnnA

Rich, This blog entry (in my case it was your email) was the most sensible, helpful “take” on this dilemma that I’ve read in a long, long time. Your words felt like they reached deep into my DNA and struck the “AHA!” gene. Nobody had ever made this simple solution make as much sense (at least to me) as you just did. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, it was just what I needed to hear at precisely the right time. Have a blessed weekend, Donna

I totally agree with this post.
I have gotten to the point where I have 200 unopened emails in my inbox. I simply cannot read them all and click on all the links for all the offers anymore.
I know that it is important to FOCUS on one thing and just move forward. Thanks for the reminder!!
Dena
http://beginners-make-money-on-internet.blogspot.com/

Finally I know I can get ahead, this post hit home… hard. I did realise this recently but have not acted upon it. Hearing it from you put the cherry on the cake. So sift through the minds database, lock all the information I don’t need right now in a folder and throw away the key. I’ll take you information on board and CRACK ON with some real production.
Thanks Rich

I reckon Rich is a mind reader.

Quote: Stop reading new information and start DOING something with it. No information at all. For a whole week.

A WHOLE WEEEEEEEK? You gotta be kidding me.

For me that would be like an alcoholic having his meths bottle taken away.

But …. I will do it.

Look out for a grey and shaking Internet Marketer on this blog next week.

Jonathan

http://viralalchemy.com
The Secret of how I got a MILLION HITS in 27 days.

I knew this was a problem, because at the rate that I am receiving information right now I am only grasping unfinished sentences and both comprehension and productivity stalls. I get nothing done! Time to go on a strict info diet.

I wonder.. Is this belief that I need more information from the desire to become better, or having a lack of self-worth, where I don’t think that my current level knowledge is good enough.

Sadly, I think the second option. This because I know that it only applied knowledge that counts. I could be the smartest guy on the planet but if I don’t get anything done, its just the same as being dumb as dirt. If not dumber..

Sad really. Let’s turn off outlook, and go to work…
-M

I was burried in tasks, work, studying, e-mails,… you name it. But as soon as I started to know/realise what was my direction, my purpuse, I started to re-organise my workload and my incoming information. This starts to change my world. It so much easier to be selective if you know what you are supposed to do.
Nevertheless, the danger to start again with information overload and over-tasking in your niche/purpose is waiting around every corner. So I would suggest, start to find your reason for being, or for your work and business, eleminate what is not in accordance with that mission, and keep watching out not to fall in the same mistakes again, and you will see how your life will start to change.
Thanks for reminding me Rich, I was already starting to look behind the corner again…;-)
Paul.

Thank you so much Rich.
I to have a junk yard full of unopened e-mails. All are they having the ‘one offer I’ll ever need’?
Now I’ve decided that the solution about taking an education in Sales and Marketing is the best solution I’ve ever maid. I’ll stay put there until I’ve learned all they can learn me Tuff stuff - but thats is what I need, to find out of this ‘jungle’of business opportunities.

Profund and true Rich,
I receive far too many emails promoting products, giveaways and courses. It was getting to the point where it took me over an hour just to delete them.
Only 4 days ago, I began sorting them by sender and hitting the delete button to clean most of them out, regardless of how good the offer sounded.
It was tough, as I am an info junkie too. (One day at a time LOL).

I make a list every evening of things to do the next day. In the morning, I assess my thoughts from the night before. I set up to do the things that really need be done. The priorities may change during the day as I progress. If I don’t accomplsh an item during the day, it might by placed on the next day’s agenda. If it remains for more than three days, I reassess it for higher priority or just drop it into the trash can. If it pops up again, I do it at highest priority. 1000 emails are not read that week. Telephone calls go unreturned. But I insert family activities and household items daily as they pop up. The schedule provides the guide line but not the absolute driver for my life. It helps to sort those time users that don’t really serve and support me.

You’re the only guy I’m listening to at the moment. I have to say, just for one fraction of a second I hesitated posting to your blog….cos you know…it’s the time thingy :-).
After reading the ‘Manifesto’…yep…it was a relief..whew! Keep your reminders coming please Rich. They keep me on track.
By the way…are you clairvoyant? well…you are kinda an angel

Spot on! Why am I even reading your emails? And putting in this comment? Sorry, I have to go, I have a sales letter to finish.

I have tried to ignore the emails but thankfully I haven’t always, otherwise I would not have read your one Rich! Sometimes when my head is absolutely bursting with all the tasks I have listed to do and I am unable to do a particular thing - out of the blue an email will arrive with the answer in the subject line. I always find that strange - someone is helping me! My practice is to spend just 30 mins on checking emails and then getting on with my list. My list is a spreadsheet on my desktop with each task prioritised and moved when completed - only thing is at the moment there are over 40 items to do. It grows each day!! But slowly, slowly I am getting there. Many thanks Rich.

Hi Rich,
You really do have a knack for hitting the nail dead smack on the head. I’m guilty as charged…
It’s definately time for me to heed your advice before my entire computer screen is covered with icons (it’s not too far away!)
I guess it all comes back to the core principle of becoming an entrepreneur, a business person, rather than just an opportunist, chasing the latest and greatest equalizer, generator, automator, creator, empire builder ad infinitum.
Thanks for the slap in the face with the wet fish, I needed that!
Cheers

Wow! I needed this as a wake up call. I’ve got more projects “on the go” than I can even remember!

The email has made me relise just what my original intention was - to create something on the internet that would, by helping others achieve what they want, help me earn a decent online living.

Many thanks for that,

UKPhill

Hi Rich,
Wow! Have you been looking over my shoulder? You really hit home with this one. There are days when I just feel bombarded with emails. Getting nothing done… I have been writing a list… & hitting that delete key more often.

http://www.TheBestCrosswordPuzzles.com

Rich, Waht can I say…it´´s spooky when you get an email that smacks you upside the head and says”you´d better stop doing what youre doing and get on with whats important!” As a Newbie, I always work form a position that I dont knowenough yet, and buy the next program or tutorial as part of the complete puzzle, but dont use them because I feel like the stating piece is still missing. Thats why I ahvent made it yet online! Passive info consumption is not the key to success! Ive got enough material on my harddrive now for 3 lifetimes…Ive just got to sort thru, pick out the neccessary tools and get on it! Thanks for the priceless kick in the pants Rich!

Thanks Rich, You’ve got it spot-on!

Oh wait…

What am I doing here? Guess I’m inputting again!

Well it’s back to outputting for me.

Thanks,
Dermot

Take a Free Email Autoresponder Test Drive and Learn How To OUTPUT the easy Way!
http://autoresponders4email.com

Awesome, solid & practical info in that last email Rich, thanks. You asked a really important question: “do you know what your top three objectives are right now in
your business?” And my answer was yup, sure do! Now if you had’ve asked me that same question 6 months ago I would’ve had NO clue. And I SHOULD’VE known how important this was because I come from a project management background.

Unfortunately though, in my own ‘online business’ (if I could even call it that back then) I wasn’t applying these basic principles and was just flip-flopping around under the banner of what you so accurately labeled as a “hardcore information junky”.

Reading your stuff really solidifies how a successful business should be operated, if anything it confirms for me that my business is now on the right track - and it’s always good to have this reassurance

Thanks for the great ‘common sense’ info Rich…
Hayley Merrett

Sometimes you have to “Treat the symptom, and not the disease”. The biggest symptom is that quest for more knowledge - not something to be ignored, but tempered and understood. We are all inflicted by this “can’t know enough” disease - and we wouldn’t be in this business without it. You are right-on though, too much input and not enough output! I set aside 3 times during my lengthy “work”day to selectively filter my inbox to sort, file, or delete. Always read a couple and maybe investigate quickly, but quickly back to business at hand.

Ohh, ohh, just got 25 more emails, that one looks interesting, so does that one, so inviting, fingers are itching … whoa … take drink of tea, breath deep, relax … BACK TO PRODUCTIVE WORK!

As usual, your sagely advice is direct and to the point - Name your top 3 objectives and what are you doing to achieve them. Thak you for reminding us about the value of simplicity! Now back to work.

I have noticed something only just recently, that has prompted me to post here, Rich, and believe me when I say public speeches are not my strong-
point. I am a behind-the-scene kinda gal and rarely venture into the crowded public arena. My observation? Well I have recently discovered that the internet can and does imitate life!! You know how sometimes it can seem that basically-speaking things seem to happen over and over again. Like the vacuum stops sucking the same day your child discovers filling every conceivable carrying spot on his body with sand (which he undoubtably empties quietly on the white sofa meant only for company). Or your Income Tax refund arrives the same day as that bill for the thousands of gallons of heating oil it took to stay warm last winter( I am Canadian, it’s cold in the winter!!!). Is this all fate or destiny or just my luck??
And how does this connect to you?? Well, in the last week I have had three e-mails discussing the same topic you did today. I’ve heard it from three of the more reputable (and I truly hate this next word) Gurus that I have chosen to gleam information from. So, although I’d like to say,”WOW Thanks Rich, that’s the best advice I’ve had in months”, I just can’t unless I cc the other three gents too. BUT (another word that rubs me the wrong way) I can honestly say that personally-speaking (as I am a person and take great pleasure in speaking) I will gladly say, “You’ve all made me sit back and re-think my situation!!! And this, kind sir is definately a GOOD THING.
And, because of the great advice I’ve received four times now this week, I find myself with a bit of free time in which I can share the following analogy.
Now, I am the proud mother of three fine, and, Thank God, grown up sons. I am also with a wonderful man that I’ve allowed to stick around for the past 20 years. I remember, back in the beginning of our relationship, everything I did, wanted to do, and could was directly related to pleasing and teasing him, then the only man I felt the need to pamper. His favourite meals, at least 5 nites a week, his two pre-dinner beers, chilled and available, his personal favourite shirt washed and freshly pressed! There was nothing that I would not do to make him smile.
Then, our first son arrived. Suddenly, I had diapers, bottles cuddling, bragging, extra cooking, and extra sleeping to deal with. He accepted my change of workload and helped out dramatically, which worked in his favour too. After all, if he made up the bottles, I had 20 mins free just to cuddle him!!
Son # two showed up, roughly 10 months later(damm those 20 mins). And he was not a happy baby. Oh no, quite the opposite!! I believe he started teething at birth, crawling a few days later and began interacting (by that I mean pestering) his older brother the very next weekend.
Where there had once been team work, I now found myself run ragged by petty squabbles, the need to prepare two, sometimes three different menus, due to age and allergies and no matter what hubby tried to do, my list went on and on. When by some miracle I found 10 free minutes, I usually spent them in my lazyboy with my eyes closed and the headphones on.
Son #3 appears!! Yep, you guessed it! Even 10 free minutes can have results(wink, wink).
It’s been 17 years now since the children showed up. I wouldn’t change a moment, feel no remorse in my devotion to them nor guilt due to a lack of attention to the one man who has remained loyal all this time. I know if I’ver said it once, I’ve said it a million times, albeit usually when he is snoring loudly, having gone to bed hours before me, “Someday, I’ll make my absence up to you honey. The kids will grow up, leave home and find their own time-warp. Then, oooh baby, what fun we’ll have.”
Segway to 5 months ago-kids are almost ready to fly the coop, hubby is well-established in a job he loves, and I decide that with all the free time I anticipate discovering, I need a diversion. So, I foray into Internet Marketing. After all, how hard can it be to read a few pages, answer an e-mail or two, before throwing the lasagna in the oven. Can you say “misguided “? or perhaps “uninformed”? I have found Hell, of that I am sure!! Always punctual, even with four men to get ready, I now find myself rushing through the laundry to attend that “must-be-there” conference call. Lunch becomes a quick sandwich thrown together between mail deliveries. As for dinner, well sir, can you say “Dominos”? Not only are all the fast-food delivery places on speed dial, I don’t have to even give my name anymore, they anticipate and pre-prepare my order sometimes 4 nites a week.
So you see Rich, your advice and that of the other three has finally sunk in!! Yes, I have enough useless drivel on my comp that I must defragment every other day. Yes, I have at least 7 free autoresponders but I have not had time to learn how to use them. I surf for 5-7 hours EVERY DAY and double that on weekends! If I try for a nite off, my cell rings non-stop. Not too good when hubby is trying to work his magic, now is it? Prioritize, Delegate, Downsize, and Deny, the four words I’ve found most effective!!
And to be honest, I can say these tips came this past week from you four!! I’ve narrowed my horizions, eliminated the fluff, stopped reading and taking notes from every e-mail, chosen one particularily well-organized site to commit my time to, and discovered the time to write this rather long, and I admit, rambling prose, just to say the following:
Rich, when you are right, sir, you are right!!!! Thank you so very much, and hehe, any future brainstorms sent in an e-mail form by yourself and my other three newly-named biz-whiz’ will be read, thoroughly, quickly and completely BEFORE I file them in the “Need To Know” slot.

Sincerely
Camille Thomson

Well I have spent my last month, after reading the manifesto, putting the whole process into action and this latest bit of advice just clinches it.

Not long now and my whole business will run completely differently.

Thanks Rich for the encouragement.

Que

Thanks, Rich. I am a newbie to internet business- to business mind at all. I taught school for 35 years, loved it, then lost my husband who left me with a home-based business. Now I am trying to learn business and to do it online. Your stuff is a big help to me, but I do get TOO MUCH info some days and waste time. Thanks for your slap in the face today. Keep your honesty coming through. Now back to the obvious at hand…
Shirley

A very timely message! I was feeling frustrated just yesterday with my seemingly long list of ‘To Do’s’, but after reading your post I realize it’s definitely time to simplify. I need to focus on what’s important and set everything else asisde.

Very simple advice but very profound in it’s application. Thanks!

I have to admit, a short while ago i did start to unsubscribe from a few lists to cut down my intake, but there is SO MUCH really good FREE information coming through at present. ie; Rich Schefrens video presentation recently, which was simply a ‘must watch’ video, that it is very hard to let go.
But yes, it is an addiction I guess, and I’m standing up here to be counted, (but trying to beat it).

Keep the E-mails coming Rich, we need a good kick up the backside from someone we can’t kick back.

Thanks, Pete.

Rich,
You hit the nail on the head. I am just learning this business and I feel I am going to miss someething critical. I want to fill myself with knowledge from the pathfinders who have gone before. But your words are a wake up call that I need to wean myself and keep only an information “A” list. I will probably get more done in a week of output only then in an entire month of input/output.

Actually I was having the same thoughts but not so organized as you just gave us Rich. I recently was out of the loop for 36 hours without access to the internet. On my return I spent the next 24 hours clearing my inbox. That was 2 days ago and this email from you is just a confirmation of my thoughts.

Thanks Rich. Your are the man of the moment.

Darwin

I definately have experience in what you are saying Rich!

Just this week I was looking at all my emails in my inbox and I decided that I really needed to focus and unsubscribe from all these people offering me the latest tips.

Everyday you are just bombarded by people and ideas and you just become overwhelmed and don’t know what to do next.

I now have a focus strategy where I am only allowing the best in the various fields of business and marketing to maintain email contact with me.

Yes, Rich you are one of the best!

It has already been a stress release for me.

Another tip: Most of us will have bookmarks of sites that we may go to or think may help us in the future. Get rid of it, it is only distracting You!

Cheers,
Paul Thérond
www.futures-trading-zone.com

Thanks Rich!
You have been watching me trying to absorb everything.
JUNKIE!
I have to quit absorbimg and get to work.

Denise
http://djnuttall-enterprises.com

I guess one of the reasons I didn’t take you up on your offer was that rich, your program is focused on the internet marketer. But most everything in your systems(the fundamentals) come from enlightenment in the offline world. I find great value in your free stuff.Offline or online, the basic priciples are same.

Rich,
I’m retired and want to start life over doing something worthwhile and profitable. Many of the business ideas presented are momentarily exciting (good copywriters?) but I can’t seem to get started before another “great opportunity” appears. Perhaps I’m afraid to fail or maybye I’m just a dreamer happy to imagine the wealth, excitement, exotic travel, etc. etc. as promised by the copy-writer of the moment.
Sincerely,
Stan Ruxton

Rich…right on point. I have so much info right now. Just when I think I am ready…I tend to see something else.

Thanks for the re-focus,
Ramon

You hammered my nail. Reading your mail and the comments to it, I confirm that I’m an info adict. This is not new to me, I’m working on it for the past two weeks, and yor mail adds strength to my change decision.
What I never thought is that this addiction is such a common place for so many people. WOW!

Holy moly! You are so right on it’s sick. The problem is, is that I love gathering information. But I realize how it is killing my business and not allowing me to hit my targets and goals.

I gather, gather and gather. This post is a great reminder of how I need to focus and take action on my top priority item and then continue to move forward in a focused way.

Great stuff! Thanks…

Thanks Rich. This is definitely a reminder that I have to decide right now what’s most important to me. There is always a hundred things pulling me in different direction and I realize that I’m always going to have too much to do. It’s time for me to stop being a grasshopper. I appreciate you.

Thank you, you’re so right. I’m going on an info diet right after this post! Yes, I have heard this elsewhere, but reading it as “info diet” really struck home.

Time to be a “planter of seeds” rather than a “gatherer.”

As usual, you hit it right on the head. It feels a lot safer to sit back and gather information than it does to put what you know into action.

When you’re gathering information, you feel like you’ll SOMEDAY use that information to achieve the success you seek.

But when you keep gathering and gathering and gathering, guess what. YOU’RE NOT PUTTING IT INTO ACTION.

There’s no chance of seeing your efforts fail, because you’re not making any effort. The effort is safely in the future where it can remain unspoiled, perfect, and an absolute certainty — but only in our minds.

There is no such thing has having complete knowledge before you start. The most valuable knowledge you receive comes not from a book, but from testing your ideas out in the real world. That’s when you learn the most.

Thanks for pointing this out again, Rich.

Excellent article. Hit me hard. It’s been happens to me for a long time. I know what was going on that kept me not getting the results I want(I’am not talking about millons, just simple results).
Maybe I was waiting to hearing for somebody in order to realize what’s my problem. I hope this help starting get going.

Hi Rich,
Right on…Thanks!

well at least I’m not alone. looking forward to seeing the solution now that we identified the problem:)

Yes Rich, I’ve realized for some time that I have a problem with too much information. My answer to that problem so far has been to find the ultimate “information organizer” software program. So between reading emails, organizing my ideas and looking for software all the time, I have done little or nothing for my business in at least a year. Just writing that makes me sad. I used to make a pretty good living online from affiliate programs, until everything changed and I went on a quest to find the answer to get back on top. I’ve known for awhile now that I have to do something about it and your post offered some of simplest information I’ve seen in awhile. The fact is, I have no excuse for this foolishness, as I’ve been doing internet marketing both on my own and for a company for over 7 years. I should know by now that knowledge is not necessarily power. Thanks for the kick in the pants.

Rich,

Yes, that’s exactly why your post is the last thing I’m reading this morning before jumping into my 3 Prioritized Actions for the day.

Goals Are Everything.
The Rest Is BS.

Steve

Right on! It’s so easy for newbies to keep searching for that magic answer on how to succeed on eBay or the Internet. After reading information from endless gurus, information overload sets in and paralysis is the result. At one point, I was receiving advice via newsletters from some 20 gurus until my head was spinning. Time to take your advice, decide on a definitive course of actio and THEN DO IT!

Thanks for the prod,

Lee

Very logical concept as usual, Rich!

A person who spends his day gathering, may have the idea that someday he’ll become rich with all the stuff he has. But if its not put to practical use, all he becomes is a “pack rat.”

Likewise, if the information you’ve gathered is so overwhelming that you can’t sort through it anymore to find a logical pattern or a viable use for it, then you might as well grab yourself a hunk of cheese

I own and operate my own company Eva Nash Realty I am Eva Nash Broker. I have a link to Rich Schefren on my home page, section 3 in the Financial Section. I have sent and recommended the manifesto to everyone I think might use it. When I receive an email from Rich Schefren *Do You Know What I do? I read it. I learn something and I am a different person from the communication Rich sends. I see the information as vital to business and Rich as a philanthropist to share his wisdom. Thank you for continuing to share your gift. Eva Nash - Broker - www.EvaNashRealty.com - Pompano Beach. I’ve been doing residential real estate sales over 20 years and some of the best information I have had in a very long time has come from Rich. All his information is timely and uplifting. Take it seriously. Rich you are my Guru of business philosophy. Keep up the good work. I am the better from you influence. I can take that to the bank.