Information Overload and Action Paralysis
How many times have you sat there knowing exactly what you need to do but can’t seem to actually get anything done? This happens to me and im sure it happens to you. The other day I was trying to create a mini site for a new niche and I could picture everything, I had the whole layout I had all the graphics I even had most of the copy, yet I just sat there and stared at the computer thinking “wtf am I doing?”
Action paralysis is when someone in his or her actions feels as if they are paralyzed. Information overload is when the amount of information is so huge making it almost impossible to absorb.
I guess it is kind of like writers block in a way, you know you are capable of it but you just cant get anything down. Why does it happen and how do you overcome it? This, I am still trying to figure out. It happens to me quite a lot, enough for it to be extremely debilitating where some days i just cant get much done at all. That mini site will probably never get done now as i have just thrown together something to get it out there!
What needs to happen is to focus on one action at a time and sticking to it until it is done. I have a bad habit of taking on too much at once which is a massive problem as I just don’t know where to start, so I end up playing computer games much to my girlfriends lament hah!
Focus is definitely the number 1 key to success. You have to make use of the information you have and not to overload yourself with a whole lot more. If you have focus then you will see results.
Care to comment on your own experiences with this?
October 9th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Hi,
As you say, “What needs to happen is to focus on one action at a time”… Focus is a powerful contextual filter that makes possible to zoom in on the most essential points.
With respect to effectively dealing with information overload I’m using our own product that instantly summarizes content to filter down the information to the bare minimum.
How it works. At a click of the button in a browser, Context Organizer instantly extracts the essence of documents - web pages, email, actually any text. Further, it presents the extracted topics in context of the text so the reader immediately understands the meaning of the piece.
Henry Lewkowiczs last blog post..Autumn Colors in Gatinaeu Park
October 9th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Henry, that looks very interesting indeed. I might give it a trial!
October 25th, 2008 at 3:34 am
I have this all the time, and have wondered if it’s related to post-traumatic stress disorder. Or maybe a fear of criticism? Fear of commitment? Fear of consequences once the thing is done? I am all ears to anyone’s opinion because this is driving me nuts.