In the modern world we have seemingly unlimited knowledge at our fingertips. While there are definite positive results of having all the information we need, we face a relatively new challenge in effective decision-making. The problem we are facing is information overload that leads to us procrastinating decisions or ignoring the wrong details and going with our instincts when we make decisions. At that point the value of the information is squandered. But there are ways to address the problem and use the information well. The game of football reveals a way to make quicker (and better) decisions and take away analysis paralysis.
Football's Lesson in Quick Decision-Making
In the game of football a player learns to read and react almost simultaneously. There is little room for thought, just reaction. So both their reactions and reaction times must be honed. The best players are those who have the ability to train their bodies to react quickly to the right stimuli.
The Challenge of Information Processing on the Field
A major problem football players face is too much information. A skilled running back will be able to lead others to think he is going one direction when he will actually go another and avoid being tackled. Different parts of the body may shift one direction while other parts may shift another, giving conflicting information. If the defensive player notices conflicting signals from the running back he may freeze. He reached information overload.
The only way to keep that from happening is for the defensive player to carefully choose what signal to pay attention to that gives the most accurate read. This is a reason many of the greatest players watch video of their opponents playing the game. It's a "know your enemy" type situation.
The Problem of Information Overload in Modern Life
The lesson from these players: Too much information can lead to "paralysis" or a lack of action. With practice they learn effective decision-making under information overload by learning to focus on the information that is most relevant and trustworthy.The last 50 years have brought unprecedented change to the average human. We have more information at our fingertips then we have ever known. In fact we have so much that our minds have a hard time processing it or even knowing where to start with it. We were designed to be able to work off of incredibly little information and generally have learned to adapt well to that lack. Now that we have Internet and even AI, we went from dipping a bucket in a well of information to opening a fire hose aimed at our faces. We must learn effective decision-making under information overload.
The Dilemma of Gathering Information for Effective Decision-Making
We all recognize the need to collect and organize information before making decisions. However, we now face a new challenge: How do we know when we've gathered enough information? There's always more to find, so how can we be sure that new information won't invalidate what we've already collected?
strategies FOR effective decision-making IN THE information age
1. Recognize Saturation
Clive Thompson wrote an article about an idea a social scientist gave him called "saturation". This is how he explains it:“Saturation” is when a social scientist is doing qualitative research, the type of work where they’re interviewing people to get their views on, and experiences of, a subject matter. When the scientist gets to the point where they’re no longer hearing new ideas or perspectives from their interviewees, le voila: They’ve reached saturation.
2. Set Clear Information Goals
Another idea comes from Mark Egge in his blog about managing prospect research for nonprofits. He said we should set clear goals for what information we are trying to find. He used the analogy of driving a car. If we are researching a topic, if we say we want to "know everything" about the topic before we make a decision, that's like saying we are going to "drive as far north as possible" on a trip we are going to take. If the intention is to find the North Pole, that's good advice. Otherwise we should more clearly define what we are looking for.
3. Embrace Action Over Perfection
In football training, players learn to quickly assess information and make decisions. Speed is necessary. While real-life situations rarely require split-second decisions, we can still learn from this approach. The key is to make a decision, even if it's not perfect.
4. Practice Decision-Making
Coaches improve players' reactions through repetitive drills. Similarly, we can improve our decision-making skills by learning to look at the right information when making decisions. The "right information" is not just about truth. We must learn to think in terms of morals and values as well. Are there options that are immoral but still seem like the "right" way to go? Have you settled on two or three options that are all morally good? If so, which of them have greater value for your life goals? These kinds of questions help us make better decisions.5. Learn and Adjust
Once you make a move, you can adjust and learn to do better. Each decision provides valuable feedback, helping you refine your information filtering and decision-making processes.
Taking Action in the Face of Information Overload
In our information-rich world, the ability to make decisions under information overload is crucial. By applying these lessons from football and implementing practical strategies, we can improve our decision-making skills and take action even with an overwhelming amount of data available. Remember, no one can help you if you don't take action. But when you do, you will find that you can easily adjust to most obstacles that may come.
What strategies do you use to make decisions in the face of information overload? Share your experiences in the comments below, and let's learn from each other!
I'm Jason Sparks and I empower men aged 30-45 to overcome self-sabotaging behaviors and find purpose through a holistic approach to personal development, integrating spiritual growth, career stability, and natural healing methods. Join me on Facebook for free. JOIN
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