Information Processing
Build reliable pipelines for consuming and acting on information.
Information is raw material for decisions
Every decision you make is only as good as the information it is based on.
The information pipeline
Input processing storage retrieval and output form a complete information pipeline.
Input curation
Deliberately choose your information sources rather than accepting whatever arrives.
Processing means deciding what to do with each item
Every piece of information needs a decision — act on it, store it, or discard it.
The reference filing system
Information you might need later goes into a searchable reference system.
The action filing system
Information that requires action goes into your task management system.
Information triage
Not all information is equally valuable — sort by priority before processing.
Read-it-later systems
Queue long-form content for dedicated reading time rather than interrupting current work.
Note-taking as information processing
Taking notes while reading or listening forces active processing.
The Zettelkasten method
Atomic notes with links between them create a growing network of processed knowledge.
Spaced repetition for retention
Reviewing information at increasing intervals dramatically improves long-term retention.
Information expiration
Set expiration dates on time-sensitive information so it does not clutter your system.
Search over sort
Modern tools make search more efficient than elaborate folder hierarchies for retrieval.
Progressive summarization
Highlight the key points then summarize the highlights — each pass concentrates the value.
Information synthesis
Combining information from multiple sources produces insights no single source contains.
Information sharing protocols
Define how you share processed information with others efficiently.
Information overload recovery
When overwhelmed declare information bankruptcy and start fresh with curated sources.
The information processing habit
Process your information inbox at a consistent time daily to prevent backlog.
Tools are less important than habits
The best information tool is the one you consistently use not the most feature-rich.
A well-run information pipeline makes you smarter
Reliable information processing means better inputs for every decision you make.