5 Steps to Constructing a Personal
Information Filter
In order
to survive sane in our message dense society, you have already developed
some methods for screening out unwanted stimuli and messages.
You probably already do some or most of the things listed below consciously
or unconsciously. Making the process conscious gives you more
control. If you discover anything new, you can try it on for
size.
Creating
an information filter starts with developing criteria which defines
the type of information most relevant to you and your needs:
1.
List your central life roles:
- spouse
- parent
- career
person
- ?
2.
List any special hobbies or interests that bring you joy:
- basket
ball
- gardening
- jazz
- tole
painting
- ?
3.
List necessary (if not joyful) topics where you need basic and current
information:
- health
& medical
- financial
planning
- ?
4.
Now, specify your information needs for each role/interest:
- Are
your children toddlers or teenagers?
- If
you're an attorney, do you specialize in intellectual property law
or criminal defense?
- Do
you grow Iris or Bonsai?
- Are
you especially interested in financial planning to buy your first
home or your retirement mansion on the golf course?
5.
Next, invest the time to select the 1-3 best periodicals or online sources
for each interest or role.
- Faithfully
scan these sources for important-to-you information
- As
you encounter information from other sources, attend to it only
to the degree that it matches your interests.
- If
material is relevant to your interests, is it an essential piece
of information or is it merely desireable?
- Think
of all information in relation to how closely it matches the target
of your interests.
