The world is teeming with information (websites, blogs, books, Pinterest, the list goes on and on!) and there’s a natural tendency, especially when you’re building your business, to want to consume as much as possible.
I know that I’ve gone through periods where I’ve followed a ton of blogs, read what felt like every book on the market, and generally just tried to pay attention to everything that’s going on. And there’s nothing wrong with that approach.
Until there’s something wrong with that approach.
Until one day, your head is spinning from conflicting ideas and opinions.
Until one day, you realize that you’ve listened to so many voices that you aren’t even sure which voice is yours anymore.
Until one day, that information overload leads to decision paralysis, and you don’t know what to do next.
So what’s the solution?
Focus on a few voices that really speak to you, and let everything else slide.
Cut WAAAAAAY back on the amount of information (and opinions) that you consume.
Prune your favorite social media stream so that you only see the people that truly matter.
(I’m constantly unfollowing people on Instagram – that’s my sacred space, and only people that make me feel good get to belong there!)
I am hereby giving you permission to cut out, unfollow, detach from all the voices that aren’t helping you.
I’m giving you permission to NOT pay attention to everything that’s going on online.
I’m giving you permission to get over the fear of needing to know everything and instead to focus on what serves you, right now.
(I’m also giving you permission to change who you pay attention to based on what’s important to you and what you’re focusing on at any given time.)
And I’m giving you permission to not read every book that comes out on the market (and to not feel the need to finish a book that’s not working, just because you started it), every blog that you used to follow, every email that lands in your inbox.
Focus on a handful of voices that truly work for you, and let everyone else go!
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And in case you were wondering, the voices that really work for me right now are Abby Kerr and Brigitte Lyons. (Plus the blogs of a few painters I’m crushing on. But you can find that list in my Voice Notes feature on Abby’s site.) When Brigitte and Abby’s emails land in my inbox, I’m ready for them. Everything else goes away.
Oh, and I’m loving Josh Kaufman’s new book, The First 20 Hours, as well.
Oh my gosh!! What a timely commentary. I’ve been thinking of this lately every time I open up my dedicated email addy for e-letters. Just too many!! As a jewelry designer I’ve gotten hooked on the latest circle of connections for all types of biz advice. And you know what? – they all start blurring together and use the same formula: signup for a newsletter and you get X free; signup for my free webinar; read my latest Y; buy my program and CDs; join my program and you get all these X things with Y value for only Z; on and on. So many people doing/offering the same thing – who do you trust? Sometimes I just think we’ve moved infomercials from the TV to social media.
So thank you Megan. I enjoy the simple/to the point information you impart. Think I’ll go tidy up that inbox. Enjoy your day!
It’s easy to start following someone or something, but a lot harder to unfollow, I’ve found. Your comment gives useful guidelines for making smart choices. Thanks.
I gotta say, I found this on Twitter and I’m pretty excited to read it. After two months of steady technical difficulties I’m suffering from severe info overload as I catch up. I hate to pass up good information but it’s not that good if you can’t implement it!
I have been cutting back also. I was noticing all the people talking and saying the same things over and over just different verbiage. Love that you dont sugar coat and say it truthfully.
Don’t go down the rabbit hole…!! Absorbing information, “research” as I called it, was an easy way for me to procrastinate – one blog would lead to another and another and signing up for newsletters left, right and centre. 10 minutes would creep into an hour. Now I use the FocusBooster app to give myself a permitted time-slot of “research” and then it’s back to business!! I would also recommend Unroll.Me which has been a god-send in whittling down the amount of information landing in my inbox! x
This is a timely article. I have been procrastinating for YEARS. I am always thinking I need to learn more. I need to see what others are doing. I need to get going and just do! Your article resonates.