Ask HN: How can I remedy scatter brain and information overload?

I can completely relate, Often I find that I wish I had a minoritory report style HUD in my eyes/brain to allow me to sort, append and edit things I think about. My mind is racing. There is so much information available, so many people sharing things that I want to read, intend to, but never get to. It's hard, and I sympathize with the OP. The best advice I can give is that of all the things I've learned its dont be hard on yourself, take baby steps, and build positive habits... There IS too much information out there, impossible to consume in any normal manner. Dont be afraid to let go of some information (at least for me, it feels like I'm already letting go because of the overload/) A lot of the time, some of these things are more temporary than others. Try to start to focus on the things that are highest priority, most interesting to you, and have the most relevance to you as you are now. If this is troubling, the question becomes more of a priority focus than an overload of information. Otherwise, it just becomes a diligence and habit problem. Along with this is also a problem with letting go with information. The fact is, that its impossible to learn all the things right now. So focus on what is relevant to you, take baby steps, read every chance you get but dont burn yourself out. You can override this information overload.

First comment on NH ever for me - because I really think meditation can be the answer to your problem. I read this book about a year ago - Search Inside Yourself (http://www.amazon.com/Search-Inside-Yourself-Unexpected-Achi...). I started practicing meditation - maybe a couple of times a week only and more whenever i am stressed out. It has helped me deal with all kinds of stress and i am more focused then ever before.

This book was written by one of early Google engineers who has learned meditation and created a class that he has taught to thousands of Google employees. Unlike much of other writing or classes on meditation this one is written in plain language and cites lots of neuro research. It is not even that long.

So go read first half of this book, practice it for 3 months and then reevaluate.

It sounds like you've already realized you're drinking from a fire hose. There is no possible way to consume all information. It is being generated far faster than you could even hope to consume in many lifetimes.

Since you can't be informed about everything all the time pick a topic or two that you are deeply interested in learning more about (or keeping up to date). Then enjoy the fact that you can tune out the fear stations (CNN, Fox News, etc.) and concentrate on your specialty. Because most other people won't know nearly as much as you about your selected topics you may be perceived as far more informed than others.

I get a weekly business magazine and used to be vigilant about reading every article every week. Now I just skim the headlines and dig into something if it's interesting. I'll even throw out a previous week's magazine if a new one arrives. Anything important enough from the old issue will be in the new one.

The other advice that I can give is to pick the most important item/article and put 100% of your energy to accomplishing your goal by a specific deadline. Then move onto the next goal. My brain is much happier processing in serial instead of parallel.

Great thanks.

Great thanks. I'll look around. You're right.