In today’s digital landscape everyone’s inboxes are filled to overflowing with information.
Lots of it really great info, but still…lots of information.
As a self-confessed bibliophile, all of this information lying about is a dual-edged sword.
On the one hand, I love to learn lots of new things about writing, marketing, history, current events (sans celebrity stuff…ugh) politics, copywriting…ad infinitum.
However, on the other hand, I have MAJOR INFORMATION OVERLOAD that is sending me straight into analysis paralysis.
Can you feel me?
So when I discovered a useful bit of advice about the learning strategy known as “just in time” learning, I agreed that it was a very useful strategy indeed.
However…
Teaching an old dog new tricks and all that rot…well, it’s a hard habit to break, this old “collecting bits of this and that, just in case I need it”.
As you can see below, I’ve had to write myself a note…just to let it sink in!
What am I talking about?
Just in case learning
definition: learning everything and anything you can about any topic that you THINK you might need to know about at some point in the future.
This is me…my computer and Evernote account are stuffed to the gills with all kinds of great information THAT I DON’T NEED RIGHT NOW AND AM NOT PUTTING INTO PRACTICE ANYWAY!!!!
Ugh! All of which takes up time not only during the time I’m collecting it (i.e. reading when I should be working) but also mentally when I’m feeling stressed and overwhelmed by everything that I THINK I have to do!
On the other hand, there’s the miracle of:
Just in time learning
definition: learning about a particular topic AT THE TIME that I need it. (e.g. reading a guide on creating the perfect Facebook Ad WHEN I’m trying to write said Facebook Ad for myself or a client)
So then, mentally, I’m not responsible for anything other than what needs to be done at any given point in time.
I can make notes for something I might like to learn AT SOME POINT IN TIME, but instead of digging around the ‘net for information for something THAT I DON’T NEED TO WORRY ABOUT RIGHT NOW, I can use my time more judiciously (i.e. getting things done that NEED to be done)
Please tell me that I’m not the only one who does this!
Photo by Frans Van Heerden on Pexels.com
