Computers and cell phones let people communicate with each other by voice or text anytime, anywhere. The result: too much information! So let me offer these tips. They could help you manage communication overload.
Tip 1 – Stick to a schedule. Do you have a calendar? Use it to schedule study times, meetings, and appointments. But also, use it to schedule times to respond to email, read status update, and check voice mail. How about also using it to schedule quiet time? That is, set aside time for no email, no text, no phone calls, nothing! Then stick to it!
Tip 2 – Text or phone call. Texts are great for short messages, but not for long messages with emotional content. Phone calls are fine when you want a more personal touch, but not when you need to save information about a conversation. In those cases, an email or a letter may be better.
Tip 3 – Let it ring. You don’t have to answer every phone call. If you don’t want to talk, screen your calls and let the caller leave a message. Or turn off your phone. The same is true for text messages. It’s usually OK to make people wait for your answer.
Tip 4 – Keep your in-box empty. After you’ve answered an email, delete it or file it. If you need to save an email, create folders – for school, for work, for friends. Find a way to organize your messages that works for you, and follow it.
Tip 5 – Pick one primary network. Many people have a profile on a social network site, like Facebook. Some people have profiles on many different sites. Choose one site as your primary place to communicate with people. Keep your profiles on the other sites, but check those sites less frequently.
Tip 6 – Choose your friends carefully. If you belong to a social network site, are all your “friends” on the site real friends and family, or are some just casual acquaintances or even strangers? Limit the number of “friends” you welcome into your social network, and you will limit communication overload from people you don’t care about.