Coaches Corner
Stop Scrolling, Scanning, & Skimming So Much …
The news cycle used to be 24 hours. Now, it’s every 15 seconds. We check our emails for a quick look, but before we know it, half an hour has passed. Information bombards us from all directions: social media, emails, countless cable news channels. It’s overwhelming and addictive.
A Sign Of The Times…
We’ve become junkies for scanning, scrolling, and skimming. If we could just glance, it’d be fine. But the addiction pulls us in. We find something interesting, then something else, and so on. Many of us end up bookmarking things we never revisit.
Hey, I’m Trying…
I have a system, but it doesn’t really work. I email interesting things to myself, put my initials first on the subject line, /, and the topic. When I need to read up on something, I search my emails using my initials. Everything I’ve sent myself appears, and I scroll down to find it.
I Need To Focus…
The problem is that I sidetrack myself, like a dog checking out every tree. Every interesting email or social media offering tempts me read it. I’m a hoarder of interesting stuff. I rarely read everything I save. You probably have a similar non-functional system.
We Can Do Better…
In modern times, we skim and scroll instead of digesting and mulling. Too many decisions these days are probably based on glanced-over information. We’ve got to do better, including me. Our brains need time to simmer over what we’ve mentally consumed.
So Far, This Works…
Lately, I’ve started printing things out, laying it to the side, and revisiting as often as I need to. When I want to read it, I get up and walk away from my computer and cell phone. Without e-notifications or exposure to endless streams of information, I focus better with a printout in my hands.
Gets Me Every time…
My biggest issue, and it might be yours too, is that too often I fall into the trap of scanning, scrolling, and skimming too much. Just as bad, watching too many TikTok’s and Reels. I’m a sucker for an interesting anything.
Just Do It…
You’ve got to put down the mouse or stop touching the screen. Hours can pass by scrolling and saving to various folders. We’ve become information gatherers, and it affects how we process things. I know you know what I’m talking about. Just keep searching for ways to retain more of what you are exposed to.
The Point Is…
It’s about striking the right balance between gathering information, reading it, formulating ideas, and then figuring out the best way to put your thoughts out into the universe.
And if you need advice, drop me an email; samweaver@samweavermedia.com or text me, (972) 672-4812.