Every day we are bombarded by a virtual tsunami of data.  How do you stay current without becoming a karoshi victim?  What are the strategies for finding just the right amount of the right information?  Unfortunately, there are no universal magic bullets or "quick fixes" out there.  The techniques, strategies, and concepts listed below are the best defenses yet discovered.....

Techniques to reduce overload
Creating a less stressful work environment
Process techniques to help you cope
Strategies for keeping current in your profession
Things to learn
Ideas which provide a framework
For more information
 

Techniques to reduce overload:
 

Plan--for the long and short range
Prioritize tasks and communication
Group similar tasks and perform them in blocks
Use e-mail filters
Use intelligent agents for searching the web (e.g.:  Alexa),  & setting up profiles with services like Uncover
Learn what to look for
Learn when to say, "enough" and stop looking

Eliminate clutter
Reduce noise
Reduce interruptions
Surround yourself with colors and images that are enjoyable and relaxing
Discard paper--establish a retention schedule for documents

Process techniques to help you cope:
 

Do one task at a time
Remember to breathe
Take stretch breaks every hour or so
Exercise--20 to 30 minutes every day to "reset" your adrenalin levels
Adjust your "shoulds"--don't expect yourself to be expert in every aspect of your job
Use memory aids such as planners and lists to keep your mental processing space free
Schedule demanding tasks for the times when your brain (and body!) are most productive
Skim materials and invest your time and concentration only in relevant items
Develop information exchange relationships with people with expertise other fields important to you
Relabel your "guilt" reading pile the "just-in-case repository"

Define your interests
Select the two or three most relevant journals and monitor them
Attend  appropriate conferences
Mentor junior colleagues
Exchange information with other professionals who maintain expertise in other areas

Learn to use Internet search tools effectively
Clearly define your question(s) before beginning your research
Construct your own personal information filter to serve as a buffer between you and the deluge of data

Human memory span is limited to 7--plus or minus 2--items!!

There are common techniques, and corresponding thoughts, and feelings in the research process.  Understanding them can make the research process easier.  See: Kuhlthau's Model of the Research Process

Consequences of not handling information overload well are:
                stress
                accepting false information!!!
                impaired judgement

For more information:
 

Information Overload Bibliography

Information Overload Statistics
 

Online resources for coping:

Stress Links (http://imt.net/~randolfi/StressLinks.html)

Mind Tools (http://www.mindtools.com/smpage.html)

Breathing Space (http://www.brespace.com)
 

Stress & Students:

Linda Walsh's Sites to Promote Academic Success (http://www.uni.edu/walsh/linda7.html)

Stanford University's "How to Stay Stressed" (http://matia.stanford.edu:80/~pinto/stress.html)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's "Ten Commandments for Managing Stress"
(http://www.unc.edu/depts/ucc/MStress.html)
 

Please send corrections to Corryn Crosby-Muilenburg: cc2@axe.humboldt.edu
Last updated: 01/29/1999