Surviving Information Overload: How to Find, Filter, and Focus on What’s Important

Part 1: Information Anxiety

· Do you have information anxiety?

· Calculating the weight of information overload

· How are you managing now?

· Three steps to managing information

Part 2: Multi-Tasking

· Is multi-tasking really such a good idea?

· What the experts say

· Five steps out of the multi-tasking maze

· Step 1: Estimate task times accurately

· Step 2: Use a to-do list

· Step 3: Limit interruptions

· Step 4: Concentrate

· Step 5: Multi-task smart

Part 3: Filtering Information

· Balancing your data diet

· Information you get vs. information you use

· Identifying quality information

· Limiting your information gathering

· Using information filters

· Sorting the information to keep

Part 4: Managing Messaging Systems

· Taking control

· Evaluating your use of e-mail

· Easing e-mail congestion

· E-mail do’s and don’ts

· Reducing spam

· Voice mail give and take

· Considering instant and unified messaging

· At the controls

Part 5: Processing Paper

· The worsening paper pile-up

· Understanding your resistance to proper processing

· Developing an effective file system

· Reducing disposable incoming mail

· Creating new ways to reduce paper pile-ups

· Paper wrap-up

Part 6: Taming Technology

· Mind over machine

· Taking stock of the technologies you have

· Rethinking your use of technology

· Stop before you shop

· Guiding principles

Part 7: Coping at Home

· Balancing work and home life

· Making a wish list

· Making your wishes come true

· Taking action on your newfound knowledge

· Committing to change

· When home and office collide

· Setting boundaries between home and office

Summary

· Quick-step review

· Recommended reading

· Your feedback is important!