* Take action

It is an interesting fact that many people simply “collect” information and never use it or apply it. A startlingly large number of people who down load eBooks off the web or buy self-help books never end up reading them! It is equally true that people attend seminars and never apply the principles they learn. These people get stuck in information search and collection mode.

Real growth is more often accumulated through your direct experience than by simply reading or hearing about a topic. There is a wonderful quote that reads: “Good judgment comes from experience, but experience comes from bad judgment.” - Anonymous.

Recognize that there are always multiple ways to proceed in any given situation. Certainly there are some ways that are “better” than others (e.g., more ethical, more efficient) but there is rarely, if ever, just “one right way.”

Yes it is true that if you take action some of the results you get might not be what you wanted or expected, but that is where the learning takes place. As Rich Schefren says: “Wisdom comes not from devouring information, but by filtering it through personal experience and taking action on it. It’s the action or reaction, not the information itself, that makes us wise.”

To be able to take action you will need to understand something about how you work best. Ask yourself, “What it is that I need to motivate me to take action? Is it clear plans and systems to follow? Schedules and deadlines? A support structure or network? Decide what it is and then put it in place.

To be able to take action you will also need to be able to convince yourself that you know “enough” to move forward. This is where it is important to keep in mind that you don’t have to “know all the answers” up front, you just have to be comfortable in your ability to “find the answers” as the need arises. As a simple example – it is not important that you know how to spell every word in the dictionary, but it is helpful if you know what a dictionary is and how to use it. It is not necessary to stuff yourself full of information – but it does help to acquaint yourself with available resources.

Another helpful tactic that can keep you taking action and moving forward is to commit to pick a course of action and then follow it until you see that it is not working. It is all too easy to continuously second guess yourself and keep changing courses so often you never experience the feedback that can help you clarify and adjust your path.

The Bottom Line

Sure there is lots of information available now days and it is tempting to blame the stress and overwhelm you feel on its sheer volume. But if you look closer, you might discover that the real cause of your stress and overwhelm is a lack of self esteem. If that rings true for you, then you can use the strategies and tactics listed above to start taming the problem. When you value what you know you gain the confidence necessary to identify, sort and filter relevant information and take action, and by taking action you can move forward step-by-step to build a solid foundation with the knowledge you are getting. Taken in this context the wealth of information available today becomes helpful, reassuring and supportive, not stressful and overwhelming.

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