Less Information and More Action

Less Information and More Action

By Harold Taylor

 We hear a lot about the information overload that plagues managers, and it’s true that we can be overwhelmed by the available information on any topic. You could spend so much time reading and otherwise absorbing information that there’s no time left for action. The ratio of intake to output is probably 100 to 1. In other words, for every 100 articles, websites, or blogs you read, you probably put only one idea into practice. This ratio should be closer to 10 to 1. Rather than read even more, consider dropping it to about 10 items per week; but study them more thoroughly with a questioning mind. “What practical ideas does this generate within my mind that I could put into practice immediately?”

 In other words, read actively with a questioning attitude as opposed to simply reading passively with the purpose of accumulating more knowledge. You’re going to forget about 98% of what you read anyway. Capture ideas as you read, or hear them, and jot them down — whether it is an idea for an article, a product, a service, a cost reduction, a best-selling method or whatever.

 It reminds me of a comment my wife made long ago when I was busy amassing my huge library of time management books: “If you spent only half the time you spend shopping for books and used the extra time reading the books you already have, you would know a lot more about time management than you do now.” It’s not how much we know, that makes us successful; it’s how much we put into practice.

 © 2010 Harold Taylor Time Consultants Ltd. www.taylorintime.com

Note: This article was written by one of my colleagues , who served on the NAPO (National  Association of Professional Organizers)National Board with me.