19 leaders on staying informed without getting overwhelmed

In today's world of information overload, staying informed without becoming overwhelmed is essential. To help navigate this challenge, 19 members of the Fast Company Impact Council shared their tips. Here are their strategies:

1. Howard Franklin curates trusted sources and publishes a daily newsletter to help lawmakers stay current each morning.

2. Usman Khan reads primary sources on a fixed weekly schedule, focusing on convergence rather than sheer volume of information.

3. Jacqui Canney uses AI as a guide to distinguish signal from noise in the news, weaving insights naturally into conversations.

4. Tigran Sloyan slows down to educate others and provide demystifying opportunities, allowing innovation to flourish.

5. Blake Brannon reserves intentional blocks of time without email or distractions, valuing depth over breadth when reading.

6. Steve Holdridge focuses on root issues rather than just solving immediate problems, recognizing the importance of understanding underlying causes.

7. Grace Keith Rodriguez steps back with intentional breaks, using them to return with a clearer perspective.

8. Meredith Rosenberg advocates for direct, transparent, and continuous communication, eliminating unnecessary complexity.

9. Jean Accius emphasizes the importance of prioritizing trusted sources, seeking diverse perspectives, and carving out time for reflection.

10. Brad Weber uses short check-in periods throughout the day to review news and avoid getting lost in rabbit holes.

11. Michele Walsh applies fierce prioritization to focus on the most important matters, relying on trusted advisers to filter information.

12. Finally, the council member focuses on pattern recognition, concentrating on a few crucial aspects of their work and strategy.