6 Steps To Kicking Information Overload's Butt

As a brief intro here, let me remind readers that I'm a lifelong hockey coach.  That established, however, I think I might be brain-dead if I don't explore all that's going on in numerous other areas of our world -- some related to what I do, but some not so much.  Yes, I am deeply into the sciences, I read tons about great military generals, and I delve into the ways of noted world leaders, great sportsmen, businessmen, and anyone else who seems to have gotten things right.  The reason I tell you this?  It's because I suspect you might gain from my entries here, even when they don't seem to directly relate to what you normally do.   

With that, readers might notice that this is a second post containing advice from one of my favorite Internet gurus, Stuart Stirling.  And, because his stuff is pretty insightful -- and has a lot to do with life in general, I expect there will be more from him in the future.

Now, I don't know about you but, I've had my own information overload woes...  Oh, have I ever.  And, while that malady ought to be enough to overwhelm the average guy (or gal), I find it's usually accompanied by a number of other, equally crippling challenges -- with procrastination coming to mind right off the bat.

No matter the labels, though, one can't function at his or her best with any of these things getting in the way.  So, with that, I'd like you to see a short video featuring a bit more of Stu's advice...

To review what Stuart said, I've listed his six steps to kicking this problem, along with some of my own observations (he says there are five steps, but he actually listed and spoke on six)...

• Make a plan -- Ya, make a plan, and I'll suggest a fairly detailed one.  Borrowed from a pretty powerful motivational speaker, Earl Nightingale, I'll suggest that most of us go through life like a ship without a rudder, or without setting a course to get from one port to another.  A plan, on the other hand, should represent that course, to get us from where we are to where we'd really like to be.

• Get a coach -- I don't necessarily subscribe to having someone tell me what to do -- every minute of every day (I guess that's why I like working for myself).  At the same time, there's nothing more comforting than having someone to go to when we hit a stumbling block, a bump in the road, whatever.  Stu also points to the idea that a coach just might push and prod us beyond what we'd otherwise accomplish. 

• Make friends with those who've done what you want to do -- If you're into hockey, maybe you know that is the way I view my place in the sports world.  In other words, I've seen it, done it, and lived just about every problem a new player or coach will ever experience.  And, while a lot of folks might believe that all coaches are good troubleshooters, I'm probably one of the real problem solvers in the game.  Anyway, that's what Stu seems to be saying, in that you want to stay close to anyone who has likely experienced the challenges you're most likely to face down the road.

• Do one thing at a time -- If I had to point to the most important of Stu's six steps, I'd say it's this one.  Whether you know it or not, the multi-tasking you'll hear some folks bragging about has proven to be the worst thing one can do.  No, instead of spreading your attentions over several projects, pick one important task from your carefully made plan, and polish that off before worrying about the next.

• Unsubscribe from email lists -- I have to chuckle about this one, because Stu's newsletter comes into my inbox on a fairly regular basis.  So do lots of others.  I have begun following his advice lately, though, at least canceling subscriptions to borderline types of newsletters.

• Stop buying products --  Hmmmmmm...  I have a lady relative who buys everything remotely connected to reducing the size of ones thighs.  In actuality, she doesn't even have large thighs.  Also in reality, I understand she doesn't even use all the gadgets she's amassed.  As for life in my world, I think far too many hockey folks buy services they almost know ahead of time won't work.  Then, when Stu suggested that there is plenty of free stuff out there, I squirmed a bit -- and maybe disagreed with him for the first time, thinking that a lot of the free hockey stuff out there is kinda fluff, and it doesn't offer much real guidance at all.  My advice, then:  Find something that works for you, and stick with it!

Oh, and as Stuart asked in the end, I'd also like you to comment below.  Let me know what you like or don't like about my Diary, and even suggest topics you know a hockey coach is likely to have experienced.