Paralysis by Infomation

[Paul Bommarito]

I found BiggerPockets about 2 years ago. It has been an amazing time learning so much about real estate investing and hearing all of the incredible stories from amazing investors around the world.

In the past 6 months though, I have truly experienced what I feel to be paralysis by information overload. I love the BP podcast, and I also really enjoyed all of the other ones I started listening to (Wheelbarrow Profits, Apartment Building Investing, The RE Syndication Show, etc). However, I found myself constantly struggling with what I should be doing next. There were new amazing guests on each week discussing why they love self storage, mobile home parks, BRRRR single family, senior housing, vacation rental, etc...

I found myself feeling a lot of anxiety and not taking any action. I decided at the end of 2019 that I was going to stop listening to RE podcasts for at least the first 6 months of 2020, and focus on figuring out what my next steps should be in RE that make sense.

So far it has been a great decision for me. I am still reading non RE related books (currently loving the Power of Focus and then onto How to Win Friends and Influence People), but I have felt a lot less distraction/shiny object syndrome, and am working through all my goals for 2020.

I would love to hear other BP members thoughts or feedback on how they handle all of the content out there and what strategies you have found to help you stay focused and not be overwhelmed by all of the different opinions/ideas on REI.

[Joe Villeneuve]

Usually this condition is a result of not establishing a defined, specific set of financial goals...and then, the plan of how to get there.

This way, you will have established that elusive first step...the one that without it, you don't know where to start.