Information overload managing

{{whyLabel}}: This framework, popularized by physicist Richard Feynman, acts as a mental filter to determine if a piece of information is worth your time.

{{howLabel}}:

• Write down 12 open-ended questions you are currently trying to solve (e.g., 'How can I scale my business without hiring?' or 'How do I improve my sleep quality?').
• Keep this list visible on your workspace.
• Use it as a gatekeeper: If a piece of content doesn't help answer one of these, discard it immediately.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A list of 12 specific, high-interest questions is documented]

{{whyLabel}}: You cannot fix what you haven't measured; identifying 'junk' consumption requires data.

{{howLabel}}:

• For 72 hours, log every source you consume (news sites, social media, newsletters, podcasts).
• Categorize each as 'Just-in-Case' (procrastination) or 'Just-in-Time' (solving a current problem).
• Note the emotional state after consumption (e.g., inspired vs. drained).

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A log of 3 days of consumption with 'Signal vs. Noise' ratings is complete]

{{whyLabel}}: Usually, 20% of your sources provide 80% of your actual value.

{{howLabel}}:

• Review your audit log.
• Identify the top 3 sources that consistently provide high-signal information.
• Mark all other sources for potential removal or aggressive filtering.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [Top 20% of high-value sources are identified]

{{whyLabel}}: Separating 'finding' from 'consuming' prevents the rabbit hole effect.

{{howLabel}}:

• Choose a modern tool like Raindrop.io (best for visual/general) or Wallabag (best for open-source/self-hosted).
• Install the browser extension and mobile app.
• Rule: Never read an article in the browser tab where you found it. Save it, close the tab, and move on.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [Read-it-later tool is installed on all devices with browser extensions active]

{{whyLabel}}: Newsletters in your inbox are 'pushed' interruptions; an aggregator makes them 'pulled' resources.

{{howLabel}}:

• Use a tool like Kill the Newsletter to turn email newsletters into RSS feeds, or use the built-in newsletter feature in Readwise Reader.
• Unsubscribe from the email version once the feed is set up.
• This keeps your primary inbox for communication only.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [Inbox is free of non-essential newsletters; they are moved to a dedicated reader]

{{whyLabel}}: RSS allows you to follow specific creators without the algorithmic noise of social media.

{{howLabel}}:

• Install NetNewsWire (Open Source, Mac/iOS) or Fluent Reader (Cross-platform).
• Add only the top 20% of sources identified in your audit.
• Disable all 'unread count' badges to reduce psychological pressure.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [RSS reader is configured with high-signal feeds only]

{{whyLabel}}: You need clear boundaries to survive the test phase without breaking your professional life.

{{howLabel}}:

• Essential: Tools required for work (e.g., Slack, Work Email, Maps).
• Optional: Everything else (Social media, News apps, YouTube, Podcasts).
• Write down the rules for the next 7 days: 'No optional tech except for 30 mins at 6 PM'.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A written 'Rules of Engagement' document for the 7-day test is ready]

{{whyLabel}}: A hard reset breaks the dopamine loop of constant checking.

{{howLabel}}:

• Delete 'Optional' apps from your phone for the week.
• Use a website blocker like Freedom or Cold Turkey to lock news sites on your desktop.
• When you feel the urge to consume, refer back to your '12 Favorite Problems' and reflect on why you feel the need to distract yourself.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [7 days of restricted consumption completed]

{{whyLabel}}: Identifying when you reflexively reach for info reveals your deepest habit triggers.

{{howLabel}}:

• Keep a small notebook.
• Every time you reach for your phone or open a news tab out of habit, make a tally mark.
• Note the context: Was it boredom? Stress? A difficult task?

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A tally of habit-triggers is documented by the end of the week]

{{whyLabel}}: The Lindy Effect suggests that the longer a piece of info has been relevant, the longer it will stay relevant.

{{howLabel}}:

• Prioritize books and long-form essays over daily news.
• Only reintroduce sources that you genuinely missed during the 7-day fast.
• If a source didn't provide value during the fast, do not add it back.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [A curated list of reintroduced sources is finalized]

{{whyLabel}}: Batching consumption prevents it from bleeding into your productive hours.

{{howLabel}}:

• Set a specific time (e.g., 5 PM - 6 PM) for reading your Read-it-Later queue.
• Outside this window, your only job is to 'Capture' (save for later), not 'Consume'.
• Use 'Focus Modes' on your phone to hide all reading apps during work hours.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [Calendar invite or recurring alarm for the 'Consumption Window' is set]

{{whyLabel}}: To prevent 'Read-Later' from becoming 'Read-Never', you must process what you read.

{{howLabel}}:

• Capture: Only save what 'resonates'.
• Organize: Use the PARA method (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives).
• Distill: Use 'Progressive Summarization'—bold the most important sentences, then highlight the best of the bolded parts.
• Express: Turn the info into a small output (a note, a tweet, or a task).

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [First 5 articles in the queue are processed using CODE]

{{whyLabel}}: Information systems naturally decay into chaos without regular maintenance.

{{howLabel}}:

• On the first Sunday of every month, review your RSS and Newsletter feeds.
• If you haven't opened a source in 30 days, unsubscribe immediately.
• Be ruthless: If it's not a 'Hell Yes', it's a 'No'.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: [Monthly recurring task is set in your task manager]