I heard the term information paralysis the other day and realized that it describes me perfectly . I get so overwhelmed with new information on something I might want to actually learn that I just stop trying to learn it. I’m pushing 50 I have no savings, live paycheck to paycheck and I see these young adults 30 years younger just making bank investing and AI day trading and would love to try it, I just can’t start because I get overwhelmed on stuff I know nothing about.

My memory is shit I have to read stuff over and over ago before it clicks which builds the frustration

I loved computers as a kid in the late 80s unfortunately everyone in my life, parents teachers said nobody will ever make a living so I just lost touch with that part of me. I’m still a gamer but as far as operating computers well, webpages etc. or how any of it operates I don’t have a clue. I didn’t see a webpage until the day before I graduated highschool

  • naught101@lemmy.world
    2·
    4 days ago

    I’m dealing with a different field that is probably even more complex, and often overwhelming.

    I think what you probably need to focus on is not learning new information, but making sense of the information you already know (even if only partially). Understanding where you are now will help you figure out where you want to be next.

    One of the simplest tools that is effective is lists. Write lists of different types of things. E.g. things you already understand (this one is a bit of a confidence boost), things you want to learn (you could then prioritise these, and write sub lists for each one as you do it), information sources, ideas, whatever.

    Preferably use a pen and paper, because it slows you down and makes it more deliberate and considered.

    “Sense-making” is the broader set of ideas and techniques that attempt to help with this, but which ones will work for you is dependent on your domain and ways of thinking/working.