I was reminded recently of the existence of Ariadne, a Web magazine for information professionals in archives, libraries and museums published by UKOLN. Issue 56 was released recently.
In fact, I wrote an article for Ariadne 10 years ago (http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue16/law/). It also looks like I promised a follow-up article which I have yet to deliver!
One article in the latest issue which caught my eye was Being Wired or Being Tired: 10 Ways to Cope with Information Overload by Sarah Houghton-Jan who is Digital Futures Manager at San José Public Library.
This is a subject close to many of our hearts.
Houghton-Jan quotes a 2005 survey which found that 2.1 hrs of each knowledge workers day is lost to interruptions. This is not all lost time though surely? Some of these are really part of my job. Granted, some aren't.
In fact, Houghton-Jan cites a psychiatrist, Hallowell, who has identified negative effects of information overload (which he calls Attention Deficit Trait [ADT]) and Hallowell recommends regular face-to-face interactions to combat it.
Houghton-Jan details many sound organisational and time management techniques for dealing with information overload.
One thing I found interesting, especially given the stress given to avoiding interruptions, was the recommendation to use instant messaging for urgent queries. I don't regularly use IM. Surely this is as invasive as the phone? Anyone using IM in a big way in the workplace who would care to comment on its effectiveness?
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1 comment:
Hi Steve
I use IM tools to support my work activities. I have a group of IM contacts for colleagues on various projects - IM allows me to see when they're around and contact them if there are urgent activities to be addressed. And we trust each other not to abuse this.
I use the IM feature of SKype in a similar fashion.
And I use Twitter so people know what I'm doing, so they can respond and help me - and I do likewise.
It works for me.
Brian kelly, UKOLN
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