Monday, February 13, 2012

Subscribing to Overload

When I launched my consulting business, I earnestly subscribed to two business magazines.  Now when they arrive each month, I dutifully…hurl them on a pile of business magazines.

Most days I love getting magazines – give me the latest Real Simple and I’m in lifestyle nirvana.  But these business mags make me clench up. 

Each cover promises the key to my success.  Some sample headlines:

“How to Network Your Way to Fame & Fortune”
“How to Be an Extraordinary Leader”
“How to Ace Social Media”
“How to Get Good at Making Money”

See a pattern?  Each of these articles should teach me something useful, right?  One would think.  Instead, I’ll learn about all the things I’m doing wrong or should add to my to-do list.  Frankly, I can’t take the pressure.

Genetically, I’m a read-everything-I-can-get-my-hands-on-so-that-I-can-prepare-for-every-scenario kind of girl.  But these articles get me so worked up that I can’t move forward. 

So what to do with this growing pile of publications?  How ‘bout I give each one ten minutes (I’ll set a timer) and forbid myself to tear out articles, take notes, or otherwise act upon what I’ve read.  Instead, I’ll trust that this brain of mine will absorb the good stuff.  And I might even do something with it someday.

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