Declutter: Beating Information Overload 

June 29, 2020 | By: Molly Looman
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Going online can be overwhelming when it comes to trying to stay informed on a certain topic. It is easy to get consumed in the sheer number of sources and opinions available. When making business decisions about a property or keeping morale up in the office, controlling the information received and responded on is key.  

Not only is this important for mental health but being armed with knowledge will ensure well-informed decisions.  

 1. Stick to Sources You Trust 

Due to the nature of social media and the internet, everyone has an opinion on everything. Reading every opinion on a topic is exhausting and can lead to misinformation. While exploring multiple aspects and views on a topic is important, when it comes to factual statements on topics such as COVID-19 or environmental impacts, stick to neutral, primary sources such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency or a news source your trust.  

Creating a short list of places to visit will ensure you are looking at information that is up-to-date and digestible. This will limit the overwhelming feeling of scrolling online and provide you with the information you need when you need it.  

 

2. Limit Your Exposure 

Especially when breaking news hits, it can feel like everywhere you turn is a new channel or take on the issue. To stay informed, but not overwhelmed, create time in your day to check the news. Putting blinders on can lead to misinformation, but a controlled dissemination of news can stop confusion, overload, and poor morale. 

Limiting your exposure will also allow you to read what you do choose more thoroughly. Scrolling through Twitter does not give you in-depth details on a situation. By selecting only a few articles and spreading it out through the day, you are giving yourself the chance to absorb information completely.  

 

 3. Always Check the Facts 

Many people like to act before checking the facts. Make sure before purchasing a product or service, that their claims are correct.  

Greg Bellina, Operations Manager with Realty Trust Group, said that research was key when fielding offers and quotes from service providers. He said he usually asked service providers to provide the data to back up their approach.  

“The first thing I would do is go research on the CDC, the EPA, and all those regulatory agencies to find out where that information was that gave that particular process the credence to be effective,” Bellina said.  

Double-checking claims from service providers, co-workers or even news sources will give you more peace of mind and prevent you from getting swept up in a news cycle. Strategies should be based on insights derived from facts provided by primary sources.  

 

4. Look Out for Your Team 

Even if you keep your information organized, it is important to keep your team organized as well. Keep track of the information you are giving them and make sure you are not overwhelming them with memosAlways arm them with pertinent information, but make sure the updates are well-informed and spaced out. That way, there is not an overwhelming feeling of chaos. 

For leaders and managers, it is important to have a well-informed team, but morale is also important to ensuring productivity and effective work.  

Finding a balance between information overload and staying well-informed is difficult. However, finding that balance will create more space for productivity and keep the overwhelming feeling of information overload out of the office. 

For more information on this helpful topic, check out the following videos from CRE Leader Insights: 

https://leader.creinsightjournal.com/advice-for-sales-professionals-in-a-time-of-physical-distancing-matt-tenney/ 

https://leader.creinsightjournal.com/considerations-for-maintaining-good-mental-health-tara-davis/ 

https://leader.creinsightjournal.com/dealing-with-stress-and-significant-work-hours-in-a-crisis-cynthia-mills/