Keeping Up with Information Overload
April 4 , 2022
đĽKeeping Up with Information Overload
There is no doubt that things have changed with how we gather our information these days. There used to be a time when information was hard to come by. We had to go out of our way to find it. I remember carving entire days out of my schedule to go to the bookstore and camp out just to look through the mass collection of books to determine what I was going to take home with me.
For those of you that can remember a time before the internet you will remember the days of paying for the daily delivery of the newspaper or waiting until the news came on the TV at night. We had to work our whole day around when and where certain television programs were going to air and how we would watch it.
Those days have long passed, and information is everywhere. As a matter of fact, I would argue that information is in front of us so much that there is information overload, and it can be a problem if we let it. It is at our fingertips at any given second. No longer do we have to go out and search for it, information finds us, and we are now at the point where we have to get away from it in some cases.
In an attempt to prevent information overload from permeating the walls of my brain I put together a system that I use to capture, curate and contribute to information that I consume. It helps me be purposeful in what I read, how I read it and ensures that I have a diverse set of interests and topics. I introduced this system in my latest YouTube video and although the video is geared more towards books, it can be used for any kid of information. If you want to be purposeful with the time you spend consuming information, the video is worth a watch.
đĽThe Latest on my YouTube Channel
In this weekâs video I introduce my system to build a master book database to help you capture, curate and contribute to your reading. You can watch the video by clicking on this link:
đWhat I am learning
đComputer Science
I am still working on Harvard Universityâs CS50âs Introduction to Computer Science Course. I am on week 4 and still highly engaged and moving along nicely.
đData Science
I started curating a course list for my Data Science learning. As I get into full swing into learning more about this topic, I am finding what things are important. The main areas of study seem to be Excel, Python, SQL and apps like Microsoftâs Power BI or Tableau. In addition to the Codecademy learning courses in the Data Scientist learning path, I have also incorporated some Microsoft Power BI learning into my learning plan. Once I have my list completed, I will share it on my website.
đŹFilm Making
I am knee deep into the 14 Day Filmmaker course. I have to admit that I am a little behind schedule. So far in the first 6 days I learned all the basics about equipment, cameras, lenses, angles, shots, lighting and audio. I also learned helpful tips on data storage which is a huge problem when it comes to making videos. (Itâs a HUGE thing. I spend way too much on cloud storage just for this purpose).
The latest topic is video editing, and this is where I slowed down a bit. I am switching from Camtasia to Adobe Premier Pro for my editing and since I am a total newbie to this, I want to take time and soak it all in. I will probably spend one full week digesting the session on editing so this 14 day course is going to be closer to one month. (Thatâs the beauty of self-paced learning I guess).
đBlockchain
I am still building my blockchain developer course list. I found additional courses offered through Edx and Codecademy. I completed the informational part of Dapp Universityâs Blockchain developer course, and I am working on the Capstone part of it now.
đWhat I am reading
In addition to the Audible version of Sing to Me I just downloaded a book by one of my Twitter friends @Indigo. The book is called The Atomic Idea Framework : A Radically Simple Method to Become a Content Machine. I havenât started it yet but anxious to dive in. You can get yourself a copy on Gumroad. Here is the link: Â The Atomic Idea Framework : A Radically Simple Method to Become a Content Machine (gumroad.com)
đ ď¸Project Updates
â¨ď¸Increasing my typing efficiency: What can I say about this one. Itâs a challenge but I am working on itâŚ.
â¤ď¸What I am loving
The Keto Diet â I know it is a bit random, but my wife and I are on this Keto Diet journey that we started late 2021. I lost 30 pounds in a matter of months, and she has also done really well on it. I find the diet is easy to follow and other than not being able to have a cheesesteak every once in a while, (because no bread is allowed on the diet) I have not had to sacrifice too much in the way of eating. I still get to enjoy my steaks, chicken and turkey (just not with the starches on the side).
đRandom Insights
The Journey: As I embark on this latest journey in my life, I have done some reflecting about how my life has progressed over the years. For the most part I would consider myself an ordinary person. I grew up in a middle class neighborhood in a solid family with no drama. My parents were kind and considerate but passive in the way that they did not push their desires for me. They let me live my life and figure things out as long as I wasnât getting into legal troubles or causing drama in the family.
I did okay in school, worked a part time job at the fast food joints all through high school and had hopes and dreams like everyone else. I found early on my life that if I wanted to break out of the ordinary life that I would have to try new things. Since school is not designed to teach us real life skills and my parents did not have any particular insights into building businesses or living a life of passion, I was forced to figure it out on my own. This involved learning new things and taking risks.
That is exactly what I did. I started my own business in high school as a record label mogul. When that did not work out years later, I moved from my suburban home to pursue a career on Wall Street in NYC. After years in finance, I started another journey in the non-profit world in Las Vegas. After over 8 years of success there, I moved again and began a new journey in the tech industry.
The point I am making is thisâŚâŚ. We donât always succeed with our plans. Life is a journey, and it will take you through various paths and experiences. Despite what we would like to think, it is not the end result that matters. Success and failure are just a beginning or an end to one part of the journey. What matters most is what we experience along that journey.
My journey has been amazing. I have hung out with celebrities and icons of the entertainment industry. I appeared on television programs and performed in front of crowds. I attended parties, business meetings and traveled the world, not because I am an extraordinary person. I did all of this because I am an ordinary person who is willing to learn and to try and to fail. I have taken time to appreciate the journey and I hope that in the midst of your hectic day you take some time today to reflect on your journey. I am sure you will find extraordinary things that have happened in your life as well.