Initially create an information diet. This is selective ignorance in certain areas. Do you really need to know the latest info about Brittany Spears???? Really!?!?!? Here is Tim Ferris' Change This Manifesto on creating an information diet (download), but this short video by Tim on creating an information diet may be just as effective.

Second, create a focus in your activities. One way to create a focus is to find an online getting things done (GTD) or offline method to create focus on your activities. For instance some people like a Moleskin or a hipster PDA. David Seah has several paper based solutions for productivity.

Third, create an online dashboard, such an NetVibes or an RSS reader (Google Reader) to consume your information in. This online productivity toolbox from Mashable is quite helpful as is the Guardians top useful websites list.

Fourth, be strategic in your Google searches. For instance, using long tail search phrases, Google search suggest, or Google advanced search can be incredibly helpful. The more strategic you are, the less time you will have to spend searching.

Fifth, use delicious to find and save the most relevant and interesting content on a given topic. Or you may choose to save your links in a Wordpress blog, Wiki, a Google Doc, or Google spreadsheet.

Sixth, practice creative problem solving. This is pretty much a no brainer.

Seventh, here are some other ways to solve information overload.

Eight, eat well, exercise, and give yourself breaks. (perhaps you might need to put down that Starbucks too). I can't stress this one enough.

Ninth, delegate or outsource what you aren't as good at. This allows you to focus 80/20 on what you're best at.

Tenth, learn how to use gmail effectively. Here are some gmail productivity tips that might help.

Eleventh, if you can't find what is taking all your time, perhaps you can time yourself using an inexpensive timer (online or otherwise) or you may prefer to use a free online time tracker which automates this process. There are also several pieces of software that perform time tracking for freelancers.

Twelth, practice stress management. Whether its yoga, exercise, or just giving yourself short breaks this can go a long way to avoiding the artificial pressures we put on ourselves.

Next, put down the twitter for 90% of what you do. Twitter is decent for mass media events and conference style events and very important announcements (we just bought a house, i just graduated, or going on a date with my wife). Using the hastag (#), twitter search, and the @ command effectively can immensly improve your Twitter productivity. However, lets be honest, 75% of what people say on twitter = pointless.

Finally, you may want to create online hub which has all your social networking activities with a lifestreaming tool like Friendfeed or Soup.io.