Curating Your Inputs: Lindsay Linhart on Filtering Business Noise

In a recent LinkedIn post, Lindsay Linhart discusses the pervasive issue of information overload and offers a framework for businesses and individuals to filter out detrimental noise, emphasizing the importance of curated inputs for maintaining momentum and making better decisions.

Linhart begins by asserting that an abundance of opinions does not equate to improved decision-making, suggesting instead that stricter filters lead to clearer thinking. The core problem, according to Linhart, is not a lack of information but a deficit in curation.

“We’re drowning in noise. Hot takes. News cycles. Unsolicited advice from people who’ve never built anything.”

The post highlights a common struggle for those in a season of growth, where the sheer volume of information can feel overwhelming. Linhart provides a series of guiding principles for navigating this challenge, focusing on the nature of criticism and the behavior of those who offer it. As Linhart notes:

“Critics rarely create. People throwing shade are usually standing in it. The ones doing the work don’t have time to tear yours down.”

This observation underscores Linhart’s central argument: the voices we allow into our decision-making processes significantly shape our actions and outcomes. Therefore, Linhart advocates for a deliberate and rigorous curation of these inputs, framing it as essential for maintaining momentum.

The Three-Step Filter for Noise Reduction

Lindsay Linhart outlines a practical, three-step filtering process to help individuals manage the influx of information and opinions. This method encourages a critical evaluation of sources and their content.

1. Consider the Source

Linhart prompts readers to question the credibility and relevant experience of those offering advice. The crucial questions to ask, according to Linhart, are:

• Have they done what you’re trying to do?
• Do they have skin in the game, or are they commentating from the cheap seats?

This step emphasizes that practical experience and vested interest are key indicators of valuable insight.

2. Watch What They Build, Not What They Say

The second filter proposed by Linhart focuses on observable actions and outcomes rather than mere pronouncements. Linhart argues that builders and creators tend to be more constructive.

“Builders give more than they take. They want to see you win. They share lessons, not just opinions.”

This perspective suggests that individuals should prioritize insights from those who are actively engaged in creation and demonstrate a willingness to share their knowledge constructively.

3. Notice How You Feel After

The final, and perhaps most intuitive, filter suggested by Linhart involves paying attention to one’s own emotional and mental response to the information received. Linhart advises:

• Energized or depleted?
• Motivated or deflated?

According to Linhart, our internal state serves as a powerful, albeit often overlooked, indicator of whether an input is beneficial or detrimental. This internal feedback loop is presented as a vital tool for self-awareness and effective filtering.

Protecting Momentum Through Conscious Input Selection

In conclusion, Lindsay Linhart’s LinkedIn post serves as a compelling call to action for greater intentionality in consuming information. By encouraging a critical approach to sources, focusing on tangible achievements, and heeding one’s own internal responses, Linhart provides a clear strategy for cutting through the noise. The overarching message is that protecting one’s mental and strategic bandwidth by choosing ‘noise’ wisely is not just a good practice, but a necessity for sustained growth and success.