Many professionals these days suffer from information overload. There is so much information out there between websites, e-mails, newsletters, and other sources, how do you utilize all of this information effectively and not get overwhelmed by it? Here are five tips that may be helpful in avoiding an information overload:

1. Find Good Sources: Take the time to review all of the sources you currently use to get your information. They may include but not be limited to websites, social media, newsletters, traditional newspaper and industry magazines. Try to narrow them down to a reasonable number of sources; five may be a good number to focus on. This will limit the number of different places you need to look for information.

2. Get Organized: Once you have determined your favorite sources of information, organize them in some way. Whether you bookmark the websites on your browser or create a folder for traditional news clippings, find a system that works for you. Create a few places where you can easily access this information when you have the time.

3. Make the Time: Reserve a specific time on your calendar where you can review information such as articles, newsletters, etc. I recommend first thing in the morning, lunch-time, or during your commute if you take a train or bus. If you drive and have audio sources, such as podcasts, listen to them on the ride.

4. Take Action: We read books and articles and watch videos on the internet, but how often do we utilize the information we absorb? Make it a point to create some type of list or plan where you note items that you have learned that you want to start to implement into your day-to-day activities. If we are not using the information to improve or grow, why are we absorbing it?

5. Pace yourself: Regardless of how you decide to review and use all of the information available today, be sure to do so at your own pace. If you are too busy to visit 5 different sites, limit it to one or two for that week. While the information may help, every once in a while our brains need a break!

I hope these tips are helpful for you. If you have a tip that you would like to add based on the way you manage information, please share it!

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This is a guest post by Anthony Fasano, PE, author of Engineer Your Own Success. Anthony found success as an engineer at a very early age and now writes and podcasts to help other engineers do the same. Visit Anthony’s website at EngineeringCareerCoach.com and subscribe to the top 3 resources Anthony has used to become a partner in a firm at the age of 27.