Now, more than 500 years later, it is technologically possible for every single person on the planet to access and read all of recorded history electronically.
Fast forward to the Digital Revolution. It is rapidly replacing the vestiges of the metal manufacturing economy with one where the production and exchange of goods, services, and information is electronic. Like our predecessors, we are challenged, bewildered, and somewhat panicked.
The paperwork avalanche, information tsunami, and data smog are distracting and overwhelming. They are turning people into permanent students at Catatonic State. Most people:
- check three voicemails (work, home, and cell) numerous times a day
- gather "stuff" from two snail-mail addresses
- maintain two to four email accounts (if you have more than four email accounts, read this article once for each account!)
- read two to 10 newspapers, periodicals, professional journals, books, and may even have crossed the road into the land of blogs
- access the internet 10 to 12 times a day.
With a click of that seductive mouse, we say "bring it on" to more subscriptions, more memberships, more newsletters, and more "stuff." It all claims that it will make everything (business, weight, health, income, sales, etc.) better. We start our day with one simple, curious trip on the information highway and get off at a ramp (about an hour later) that puts us 20 exits beyond our initial query destination.
This is the curse of the digital age. Information comes at us at such a rapid pace that it seems to vaporize everything that was in its path only a few years, days, or moments ago. Are we at a point in time where focused observation, critical assessment, and thoughtful analysis are at odds with rapid, multi-tasked, clickable responses?
So What?
This is the love/hate relationship with the digital age. It bombards all of our senses with information dumping, consistent background noise, and visual clutter. It is as if someone or something is perpetually tapping their finger on our shoulder, demanding an immediate response, reaction, or decision. At the same time we love it because it provides us with instantaneous analysis of medical research data, highly complex financial projections, market trends, and risk assessments. If, however, we don't create our own personal, intelligent protocols for receiving and analyzing information, we fuel our own Assessment and Analysis Deficit Disorder (AADD).
Rarely a day goes by where the exchange at Chamber meetings, networking events, or business meetings doesn't include "there's too much on my plate"; "I feel like I'm on top of everything, but can't get to the bottom of anything"; or "when did you send that to me?" By being information gluttons, we may in fact be impeding our ability to create, innovate, and develop business opportunities.
By constantly feeding at this trough of information, we keep loading more on our plate at this "all you can absorb buffet." At day's end it has become a plate of intellectual mush. We have so much fast food for thought loaded on this daily work plate that it cannot be digested in any form that gives intellectual nutrition, satiation, energy, or comfort to our individual or corporate being. Deep thinking and critical analysis don't have any place at that table.
Now What?
Business consultant icon W. Edwards Deming routinely delivered a clear, simple, and brilliant message: "There is no substitute for profound knowledge." Is your daily connection with the digital age leading you to profound knowledge?
The answer may be a tripping point for many a manager or executive. The digital age, with its access to all information and technological "gotta have it" tools, just may provide a false sense of competence and security. Many may be convinced that the smart phone/PDA/wireless access/laptop/desktop/multi-tasking combo pack is keeping them at the top of their games. More than likely, it's keeping their eyes off the ball.
So how do we achieve and maintain profound knowledge in this "all you can process" information buffet loaded with emails, snail mails, faxes, memos, meetings, hallway discussions, personal thoughts, voice mails, phone conversations, blogs, RSS, and calls from family all being received relatively concurrently?
Here are some techniques for moving from profoundly overwhelmed to profoundly knowledgeable:
- Identify the core knowledge need - the profound knowledge you need to maintain - that will keep you in demand. Seek out the five best sources for information (internet sites, magazines, journals, blogs) in this field and give them your full review and attention. Obviously, these can be supplemented with reasonable and appropriate seminars, courses, degrees, etc. Focus your attention and allow time for deep thinking with these valued resources.
- Identify the secondary information sources you need to keep abreast of trends that could impact your business or organization. Seek out two sources of quality, general business information. These should provide you with overall information regarding human resources, accounting issues, changing markets, emerging industries, etc. If one area needs further exploration or research, assign it to a member of your staff.
Even if you're self-employed, creating and maintaining a network of experts (who possess their own profound knowledge) is invaluable and very cost-effective in the long run. Do what you do best and delegate the rest.
- Make technology earn its keep. Technology brings tons of "stuff" to your door. It also has the capacity, on the other hand, to be a very effective bouncer, only letting in folks and information you have approved while sending the others on their way. Take a moment - how many emails are in your inbox? Now visualize the same number of snail mail items on your desk - some opened, some not, some junk, some not, some critical, some not. Today's email and internet search programs have simple tools that can keep only selected information before your eyes. Use the preferences, filters, and settings to bring only authorized "guests" to your desk - bounce the rest! Do this today.
- Get off lists - just say no. Stop being a yes man! Think long and hard before agreeing to receive offers, information, and discounts. These offers are rarely time sensitive and will always be offered again. Take advantage of opportunities to be dropped, unsubscribed, and red-lined from various mailing lists.
- Take advantage of various indexing and information storage services/software. You'd be amazed at what information is already stored on your hard drive or networked computers. Use the newer technology tools to do the grunt work of indexing and searching for key information in nanoseconds. Start with Google Desktop - it's free. Generate less paper. Feel confident that your system is keeping on top of it. Just a note, though: backing up your data needs to be a routine, religious experience.
Choose not to have it always be this crazy. Achieve and maintain profound knowledge by being a connoisseur, not another fast-food information junkie. Create your own intellectually curious, discerning, and personally fulfilling plate of informational resources. Savor them. Your deep thinking, innovative, and creative palate will thank you.
About the Author
Kathleen Alessandro is a nationally known productivity expert who offers her clients a five-point plan to help deal with e-mail, voice mails, and other business information. She offers public seminars about productivity solutions and works one-on-one with small to medium-sized businesses to better manage business information. To learn more about Energized Solutions, go to
www.energized-solutions.com.
