Do you ever feel like you’re drinking from a firehose of information—drowning in content, yet thirsty for clarity?
As creatives, we constantly navigate an ocean of information, ideas, and inspiration.
But when too much comes at us too fast, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, scattered, and stuck—unable to act on what matters.
This overload doesn’t just impact productivity; it can also sap your energy, creativity, and mental well-being.
You might be tempted to avoid and disengage entirely, but there are ways to filter and leverage the abundance we share in ways that harness learning, growth, and creativity without getting buried and overwhelmed.
By shifting from passive consumption to intentional engagement, you can reclaim your focus, reduce stress, and start making clearer, more confident decisions about the information you take in and use.
So, how do you start navigating this sea of information more intentionally?
Let’s dive into a few simple practices you can start today.
Design Your Information Landscape Intentionally
Ready to reclaim clarity from the chaos of information overload? Begin with these simple, purposeful actions today:
- Pick one specific block of time each day to intentionally collect and engage with information. 20 focused minutes can significantly improve clarity and reduce stress compared to reacting to notifications throughout the day.
Experiment with the size and placement of this time block to see what works best for you.
- Schedule 30 minutes each week to review and reflect on the information you’re regularly consuming. Is it enhancing your clarity and creativity or simply adding noise?
You may want to try this daily if you feel like you are struggling with too many inputs.
- Those sources you’ve identified as noise? Eliminate them. Unsubscribe, unfollow, block, or delete—whatever it takes to reduce overwhelm.
Trust me, you’ll find you’re not missing anything truly valuable, and you’ll open space for sources that inspire and support your creativity.
Ready for more resources to support your new information habits?
Here are some curated tools and insights to help you move forward.
Flow Forward: Key Resources for Creative Growth
Timely vs. Timeless Knowledge – How to Manage Information Overwhelm by Vicky Zhao
Ever feel like you’re consuming endless streams of information without gaining real insight?
Vicky Zhao explains how distinguishing between timely (news, quick updates) and timeless knowledge (foundational insights, enduring truths) can help you actively choose what to engage with—and what to leave behind.
Learn how to create your own intentional information plan to reduce overwhelm and boost clarity.
Proven Strategies to Fight Overload – Dealing with Information Overload: A Comprehensive Review
This evidence-based review unpacks practical strategies across personal, organizational, and technological levels.
Whether it’s adopting mindfulness habits, improving digital tools, or refining your workflows, you’ll find structured insights to tackle information overload and reclaim mental space.
(Yes, I do realize the irony of recommending this rabbit hole of so many sources as an attempt to reduce information overload)
Hint: Throw the pdf into your AI tool of choice to extract and engage with it.
Harness Your Mind—Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Ever wonder why you impulsively click on tempting headlines or feel drained after scrolling through endless feeds?
The writers of those triggering headlines know why.
AND YOU WON'T BELIEVE THE 5 THINGS THEY DID NEXT!!!!
Daniel Kahneman explains the two systems driving our thinking: the quick, emotional System 1, and the slower, more deliberate System 2.
Understanding these systems can help you recognize when you’re being pulled into passive, emotional information consumption—and how to shift towards a more intentional, focused engagement that protects your energy and sharpens your decisions.
Reflect and Act
Navigating information overload isn’t about cutting yourself off—it’s about consciously observing and then shaping your information landscape.
By choosing intentional engagement over reactive consumption, you’ll reduce overwhelm, boost clarity, and have more energy for creative work that truly matters.
I’d love to hear from you—what’s one information habit you want to shift right now, or what’s your biggest challenge with managing information overload?
Hit reply and let me know; I respond to every reply and will try and help if I can.
Your questions and challenges will also help shape future issues of Flux & Flow!
Have an intentionally informed week,
Jeff
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