Stop the Noise!
Stop the Noise! How Overcommunication is Hurting You.
The other day, I decided to count how many different communication channels I use daily. I was curious, and a little terrified, to see the final number. Between Slack channels, Facebook groups, direct messages on social platforms, Zoom meetings, group texts, WhatsApp, and email—just for work alone—the tally quickly grew. Then, when I factored in the boards I serve on, with their own apps like GroupMe, and the apps for my kids’ schools, sports, and events like Remind and TeamSnap, it hit me: I’m living in a communication jungle.
And the wildest part? Everyone in these groups seems surprised when messages get lost. They often don’t understand how it happens because, to them, their one communication app should be your priority, too.
The Reality of Time Spent on Communications
Have you ever stopped to calculate how much time you would need to dedicate to just staying on top of all these platforms in a single day? If you haven’t, trust me when I say it’s more than two hours a day. Yes, more than two hours just reading, responding, and managing conversations—before you’ve even tackled actual work or life tasks.
How do I know this? Well, I set time limits on my phone for all these apps, because without limits, my day would disappear into a black hole of notifications. It’s like a treadmill that never stops—once you step on, it keeps going faster, and you’re expected to keep up with every ping, ding, and “Hey, did you see this?”
Recognizing the Signs of Communication Overload
You might be wondering, “Am I in this scenario?” Spoiler alert: If you’ve found yourself panicking over unread messages, double-booked Zoom calls, or just feeling like you can never fully check out, you’re there.
Here are a few tell-tale signs:
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- You start your day with a sense of dread at opening your phone or computer because you already know what’s waiting: an avalanche of notifications.
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- You feel like you’re constantly behind, despite responding all day.
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- Your productivity takes a hit because the communication never stops long enough for you to focus on deep work or, frankly, your life outside of work.
Reducing the Stress of Overcommunication
So how do we fix this? We can’t control the fact that there are multiple platforms, but we can control how we engage with them. Here’s what I’ve found helps:
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- Set boundaries for when you check apps. I limit myself to checking each one at set times during the day. For example, maybe I check Slack and email in the morning, then again mid-afternoon. The rest can wait. This prevents the constant stop-and-start distraction that kills momentum.
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- Use time limits on your phone. Set an app timer for each platform, even if it’s just 15-30 minutes per day. If you hit the limit, you know it’s time to refocus on something more important.
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- Communicate where you’ll communicate. Let people know which app you prioritize for important messages. If you’re constantly getting pinged in four different places for the same conversation, ask them to consolidate the discussion in one platform.
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- Prioritize in-person or real-time conversations. Sometimes, rather than going back and forth with messages, a quick phone call or Zoom can save you hours.
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- Give yourself grace. It’s impossible to keep up with everything, all the time. Missing a message or taking a few hours to respond isn’t a crime. Take breaks to get real work done or just enjoy life.
The truth is, communication tools are supposed to make life easier—but when left unchecked, they can have the opposite effect. Recognizing when you’re in that communication overload zone is the first step. Setting intentional limits and communicating your boundaries to others will free up mental space, reduce stress, and allow you to focus on what really matters—both in work and in life.
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