We are lucky to have access to so much information ready at our fingertips, making it possible to know almost anything with a GOOGLE search or a “hey Siri”. I fall into the information FOMO trap and subscribe to all sorts of newsletters, blogs and posts as I am eternally curious. I want to know about so much of what is going on in the world, as well as business trends that impact my work or might be useful to share with clients or simply a nonsense tidbit of unusual statistics. In addition I am always looking to enhance my own personal growth and wellness and be rid of self doubt! Phew I am exhausted just thinking about the 80,000 unread mails on my phone!.
We all need to know when enough is enough and when to step back and focus on what is important, adding value and quality to our lives. It’s amusing to read the admonitions that “ we are enough” “you are all you need to be right now” , you know the ones I am talking about, while at the same time our inbox is inundated with blogs, and articles telling us “ 10 ways you can be more successful”, “ 5 ways to get people to like you more” and “ 25 tips to keep you looking younger”. It’s a never ending loop of acceptance and doubt that is on a rinse and repeat cycle.
I came across an interesting article describing the different ways that machines house their mechanics to contain extraneous sound so that the focus is only on the functionality. “Acoustic quieting is the process of making machinery quieter by damping vibrations to prevent them from reaching the observer.”
While we are not machines but human beings, bringing a little “acoustic” quieting into our lives is just what we need.
How do we distinguish helpful and valuable information that can bring focus and move us forward in our pursuits, versus the noise that jumbles our heads and confuses our ability to retain and take action on the data that pertains to our particular needs at a particular time in our professional and personal life journey. I love these suggestions for how to dampen sounds for machinery and think they can work for us too!.
Let’s consider some of these ideas that “machines” use and turn them on their head to work for us:
Noise generation: by limiting the noise at its source,
PURGE your inbox, declutter your desk, work and living space and keep only the things that are necessary, important, meaningful and that you love. Focusing on the source of where distractions generate will help you have more clarity and more control. Once you have the space there will be more opportunity to choose what to prioritize and how to spend your precious time and energy.
Sympathetic vibrations: by acoustic decoupling,
CREATE a comfortable and comforting environment that is calming in order to ground yourself which will allow the creative juices to flow. Feeling good and peaceful will limit the distractions or interruptions. Use this to freedom to step back and see a broader perspective allowing you to consider more options and solutions separate from the day to day work that consumes you. Creativity comes from having space and time in your life to think and dream.
Resonations: by acoustic damping or changing the size of the resonator,
BUILD on your productivity by setting goals and targets for your projects and optimizing the time that you are engaged in your work or play. Use tools like the Pomodoro technique or Eisenhower model or any other methods that you work with to amplify your attention to the task at hand
Sound transmissions: by reducing transmission using many methods
CHOOSE what is filtered through and retained, shared and filed away for later reference. What we intentionally decide we value and keep will help you be more selective as you source information and data, with more awareness and consciousness.
Sound reflections: by limiting the reflection using many methods, e.g. by using acoustic absorption (deadening) materials, trapping the sound, opening a "window" to let sound out, etc.
SHARING what you know with those who could benefit from your expertise, knowledge and wisdom. Creating value to your input, expertise and being an all around person, colleague, friend and family member.
When it comes to information overload it is like anything else in our lives. Things will always come at us relentlessly, our only defense is to be able to control how we respond and react to it. Don’t succumb to the idea that you have to tolerate the distractions but pay attention to those that support your choices and sit back, relax and enjoy the learning and knowledge that reflects your values and interests.
Sign up for my newsletter below if you want tips to help you find more focus and less noise in your life!
Rosalind