In today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of infinite scrolling, driven by social media algorithms designed to keep us hooked. While these platforms can be valuable, they often lead to unintentional consumption that doesn’t align with our personal or professional goals. For past month or more, I have been consuming Indian High Court Videos on YouTube with no goal in sight and honestly, even though I love watching them, but deep within I am not really happy.

And so I have decided to take back control of how I consume knowledge by creating a Consumption Backlog. I learned about this in a Udemy course I was taking to help me take notes using Zettelkasten method. I think it is a simple yet effective way to ensure my time and energy are spent on intentional and goal-aligned resources.

The Philosophy: Intentional vs. Relaxed Consumption

I plan to follow an 80-20 principle for my consumption habits:

  • 80% Intentional: Scheduled, selective, and aligned with my goals. This includes books, articles, podcasts, or courses that directly contribute to my career, personal growth, or creative pursuits.
  • 20% Relaxed: Unstructured and flexible, allowing space for entertainment, curiosity, or serendipitous discoveries.

The key is balance: being intentional without losing the joy of exploration.

Benefits of a Consumption Backlog

By implementing this system, I aim to:

  1. Gain Clarity: Knowing exactly what I need to consume and why.
  2. Stay Focussed: Avoid distractions from endless algorithm-driven recommendations.
  3. Make Progress: Align my learning with my goals, fueling personal and professional growth.

The Consumption Backlog Framework

To put this into practice, I have created a simple framework that organizes and prioritizes my knowledge sources. Here’s what it looks like:

Categories

Aligned with my personal and professional goals:

  • Career Development: Topics like leadership, AI, ML, and GenAI.
  • Personal Growth: Topics like mindfulness, productivity, and wellness.
  • Creative Writing: Research for my poetry and sci-fi projects.
  • Relaxed Consumption: Entertainment and casual exploration.

Backlog System

The backlog will have these sections:

  • To Consume: Resources I’ve identified as valuable.
  • In Progress: Items I’m actively working on.
  • Completed: What I’ve finished and reflected upon.
  • Relaxed: Fun, casual content for downtime.

Each item will include details like:

  • Content/Source: Name or link to the resource.
  • Category: Goal alignment.
  • Priority: High, Medium, or Low based on their alignment with my goals.
  • Scheduled Date: When I plan to consume it.

For example:

Backlog System Template

Scheduling

I will dedicate specific time blocks for consumption, such as:

  • Monday 6am to 10 AM: Read career-focused articles.
  • Wednesday 2-3 PM: Watch GenAI webinars.
  • Friday evening: Relaxed browsing or YouTube sessions.

Tools

I am still deciding on what tool will help me with this. Since I use Emacs OrgMode a lot, probably will try that first.

A Step Toward Intentional Living

This shift isn’t just about consuming knowledge; it’s about fostering a mindset of mindful engagement. By curating what I consume, I hope to reduce distractions, align my learning with my goals, and create a more meaningful relationship with the vast pool of information available. By putting Mindfulness into practice even for my consumption, I hope to declutter my brain and calm myself.

It’s a small but significant step toward living with purpose in a world that often encourages passivity. As I embark on this journey, I look forward to seeing how this practice transforms not just my consumption habits, but the way I approach growth and learning itself.