The link between information curation and emotional wellbeing
Image by Tumisu of Pixabay
What is your method for reading a book? Here’s mine. If a book is truly captivating, I tend to read it as fast as I can to consume as much as I can. If the book is a little heavy on the content, usually non-fiction, then I tend to read it by chapter. If it is more content-heavy, I tend to read a section then put it aside to let my brain process the information it has consumed. With the latter two, I have often had to go back and read it more than once.
This week whilst chatting with a client about reading books, we realised we had the same approach. We also had the same idiosyncrasies when curating and consuming information and it raised an important point. We are bombarded every day by so much information, that if we consume it all we would never be productive.
It’s about optimising our brain’s performance by helping it to focus. When you have too many options you tend to choose nothing. When you have too much to do, you tend to do nothing. When you have too much (disorganised) information you tend to consume nothing or worse, consuming the wrong bits. Just like the ability to ask the better question is priceless, so too is the ability to curate and consume the information that is relevant and adds value to you.
My chat with my client also raised another important point, how the information is segmented is also critical. Some books have a smaller number of chapters, but each chapter is long. Others have more chapters, but each chapter is short. We all have our preferences. I like the latter. It gives me the feeling that I am getting through more of the content. It leaves me feeling in control. The emotional impact of our actions matters.
There is much that goes into information curation than we realise. Even with an article like this one, quite a bit can be controlled. Like the paragraph layout, spacing, font variation, and more. Having said that I find the text editor on my website not very user-friendly. But that is an excuse. Some of you, my regular readers, have given me some suggestions. Thank you.
So, this week I am trying a new format, within the confines of my text editor, to see if it helps you consume it more efficiently. Having written over 52 articles weekly, on my website and Medium.com, I feel it is time for a change. The brain likes novelty after all. I have always believed in smaller chunks of information and make it a point to not exceed 1000 words per article. Information in small, value-added bites for easier consumption. It is easier on the brain.
What is your preference for information consumption? What process do you use to sieve and chunk your information from your various channels – social media, newsletter subscriptions, and mailing lists to suit your preference? Without a process to curate all your information including the information you need to consume for work via emails and associated media, you can soon feel overwhelmed. Curation becomes key to help your brain and you stay focused and emotionally well.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, you may need to curate your information further and this includes me. If you are a subscriber to my mailing list and feel my weekly articles are not adding value to you, please click the unsubscribe button. I would rather be your source of inspiration and wisdom.
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If you want to reduce stress, increase engagement, and influence to attain your future, I would be happy to help. Book a chat with me here.