That folder of PDFs you’ve been meaning to read. The growing collection of bookmarked articles. The stack of books on your desk. Sound familiar? Many academics fall into what’s known as the “collector’s fallacy” – the idea that gathering resources is an end in itself. We save articles, download papers, and buy books with good intentions, but often these collections become overwhelming monuments to future work that never happens.

The illusion of productivity

The act of collecting itself gives us a pleasant feeling of productivity where each saved article, bookmarked video, or downloaded presentation feels like progress. But this collecting often becomes a substitute for actual engagement with the material. We’re not really working – we’re just moving information around.

Implementing the one-week rule

Here’s an unconventional solution: When you find an interesting resource, give yourself one week to either engage with it meaningfully or let it go. Here’s how to make it work:

• Start small: Begin with new items only – don’t try to apply this to your existing collection yet
• Set a clear deadline: Add a calendar reminder for exactly one week after saving any new resource
• Process or delete: When the reminder comes up, either engage with the material properly or remove it
• Define “meaningful engagement”: This means reading actively, taking proper notes, and connecting ideas to your existing knowledge – not just highlighting or skimming
• Track your decisions: Keep a simple log of what you kept versus what you let go – this helps identify patterns in your collecting habits

Creating space for what matters

This approach forces you to be intentional about what you save and creates urgency around actually processing the material. It prevents the buildup of guilt-inducing resource collections while ensuring that what you do engage with gets your full attention. The goal isn’t to read everything – it’s to engage deeply with what matters most to your work right now.

Remember, your value as a scholar comes from your ability to synthesise and create knowledge, not from the size of your reading list. By breaking free from the collector’s mindset, you create the head space needed for meaningful academic work.

Stop collecting, start creating. Join the Information Management for Academics course to build an effective system for processing academic content and developing sustainable practices that work.