Go out and grab it.
If information overload has gotten to you, don’t worry you’re not alone. Post after post with advice on how to find what you’re looking for – success in your business, success in your personal life, success in your studies. You have advice coming out of your ears, and the worst part about it is you don’t know what to do with it.
Here’s a little trick I’ve applied lately, in an age of uber connectivity and consumption you might find it extreme, so brace yourself: stop consuming. Too much information is overwhelming and stressful, so narrow down the information you consume and start learning through experience.
Make Mistakes
Yes! In a world with information on how to do everything right, the bottom line is: you have to make mistakes to learn your trade, your craft, your subject.
Reading all the how-to posts and success stories is romantic. But in order to intimately learn your craft you have to see its ugly side, it’s wake up in the morning side. The only way to do this is by doing something, anything and being OK with making mistakes and embarrassing yourself.
You’re Cool, so Act Like It
No, I don’t mean transforming into someone who’s mean. However, it is essential to be choosy about who you’re hanging with and who you allow into your inner circle.
This applies to both your online and offline worlds.
This means narrowing down only the most important newsletters, email subscriptions you have flooding your inbox. There’s something about waking up to a full inbox akin to a messy kitchen, it just messes up your flow.
It also means narrowing down the number of people who are expending your energy. Negative energy out -in all forms- positive energy in. Use this philosophy in sifting all of your daily interactions. Sifting out negativity will help you inch toward your personal success.
Stop Waiting Around for Things to Happen
No one likes to think of themselves as lazy, who would? Laziness is ugly. So get moving!
If you’re waiting for things to start happening in your life, and you’re not taking action – you’ll wait around forever. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing – just do something!
Get up now – if you need a shower go take one, then:
* Polish up your resume
* Reconnect with your old co-workers
* Volunteer (part-time)
* Barter services with like-minded individuals
* Talk to people you see in real life
* Walk into a library and stroll the career development section
This are suggestions on what you can do immediately to get moving. Ideas and opportunities will begin to branch out from the actions you start taking. The more aggressive you are in your pursuits the more ideas you’ll come across, and hopefully, opportunities.
Taking Action is Powerful
There’s something about getting up and taking action that will give you a sense of empowerment. Challenge yourself today and do something to get you out of the rut. Success will not come to you, you have to go after it – chase it and conquer it. You will learn from your mistakes and you will get over your fears only through action.
Every Warrior of the Light has felt afraid of going into battle.
Paulo Coelho, Warrior of the Light
How have you stopped waiting and taken action? Success stories are awesome, so share below!
Ahlam Yassin, M.A.Ed. 
Great post! Well written, useful, and refreshing. Overload is a bad thing.
You’re right: we need to keep it simple.
Hey Ollin!
Yes, in an age of constant distractions it’s hard to focus. With all of the advice out there it’s also easy to get overwhelmed and down. I’ve learned the best way to actually make process is by taking action and learning through the embarrassment and awkward feelings that come along with mistakes (especially public ones!). Thanks for stopping by!