Have you tried a brain dump?
What is a brain dump anyway? Well it is a way of clearing out your brain or your mind and getting things out on paper.
We are all leading busy lives and have so many things we have to do or would like to do but don’t seem to have the time let alone the energy.
There are so many responsibilities and tasks that need to be done and with deadlines as well. Bills have to be paid and appointments organised.
How can some people do it all?
We can never really know how other people live their lives. We only see what we want to see or they let us see. Maybe they are struggling as well and are not on top of things. They may have focused their energy and time doing the things that you are seeing and forgetting other important parts in their life.
Whatever the case may be, that is their lives. The most important thing for you is figuring out how to get the tasks done that you need to do to manage your own life.
That is where a brain dump could be the method that helps you get things done and become more productive with your time.
Is it something for me?
Right now there are probably so many things going through your mind of what you need to do. You have to collect the dry cleaning or when is the recycling centre open?
Was I not meant to book my car in for a service or make that appointment?
We all have those moments. The worst one is knowing that there is something you really should be doing or needs to be done and you just cannot recall what it is.
Me, smiling right now as something just hit me what I need to do. Jotted it down quickly to do after this is done. If I don’t write it down, I may forget it.
Why should I do a brain dump?
Are there any benefits for it or reasons to try it out?
If you are sitting at your computer right now and reading this, look up at the number of tabs you have open. The more tabs that are there the slower the computer is running. Yes it slows down the speed the computer can work because it is keeping all the connections to each tab open.
That is how your brain feels as you have all the various things in your mind. The list of things you want to do and those you have to do.
We all have tabs open thinking ok I will go back and read that later. Shock horror we never do. We keep it there just in case.
Deleting some of them will free up space on your computer and it will work better. You may not even remember why you kept them there in the first place. Take a few minutes and go through each tab and check whether they are still relevant.
Well your brain or mind is like this too. Having too many things in there means you are dividing your focus and not really getting anything productive done.
The best part about a brain dump is once you have done it, you may surprise yourself as to how free you feel.
The list you have made may not even be that long. Or it may be longer than you think but not as bad when you can tick off the ones that you can do right now or within a few minutes.
It can be as hard or as easy as you want it to be.
Whatever way you want to do it make it work for you.
How to do your first brain dump
Don’t worry, it is an easy thing to do and can be so liberating as well.
Grab a pen and paper. Yes of course you can also use your device if you rather do it that way. Whichever way works best for you. I am a pen and paper gal.
Just clear your mind of all that is floating around.
Set a timer e.g. 10 minutes and switch off distractions.
Write down everything that is on your mind. Just keep writing until the timer goes or you have finished your list.
It doesn’t matter if you go on to two or three pages just write it out.
You may drift from car service to collecting dry cleaning to making doctor appointments or cleaning out the freezer.
That doesn’t matter, just get it out of your mind and onto paper.
It may shock you what is added onto the list. Some fun things can be added e.g. a new cafe you wanted to try or catch up with friends.
The aim is to clear out the thoughts in your mind. Get it all out there in a list.
When the timer goes off you can stop and smile. Don’t be afraid if something else pops into your mind in the next few minutes as you suddenly think about it. Just add it to the list.
What is next?
Using the highlighter or different colour pen look through your list quickly and mark the urgent items. The tasks or things you have to do as soon as possible.
They could be important because they have to be done right now or in the next few days.
The urgent tasks are your focus and you need to plan around them. Focus on them and completing them. Time for procrastination is over.
Using the printable brain dump planner here it is divided into four sections. It is up to you how you allocate each section.
Personal Work Family House
If you need to work on your yard or garden then add them in possibly under house.
There are things that can be done tomorrow and other things that can be done during the week. You can name each section as you want to.
Urgent Tomorrow This week Next week
Urgent This week This month Next month
It is up to you how you label each section. It depends on how you divide up your life or your business and it should suit your needs or your lifestyle. Simplify it to your life.
There is no right or wrong way.
What is on the list that is vital and needs to be done asap. That should be your focus first.
Then working down the list of priorities or deadlines.
Can any be grouped together?
Errands in town e.g. post office, bank and shop.
When is the best time for a brain dump?
That depends on you.
If you are working in a business that you are responsible for getting things done, you could try out different days to see how they work. It could be Wednesday as it leaves you time to get things done before Friday. Or it could be Friday afternoon as things seem to come to mind that should have been done this week and were forgotten.
Have that task list ready to go first thing Monday morning to tackle for the week.
Some people like to do it Sunday evening. That is up to you.
It can also feel so empowering knowing that you have it all written out.
Don’t worry it does not mean that you have failed if you have not thought of everything you need to do right now. There is no right or wrong way of doing this and it is not a competition.
This is about helping yourself figure out the tasks that you have to do and remember the things you want to do.
Freeing up your time to allow for some fun and removing some stress from your life.
Pin it to your fridge and add anything that comes to mind during the day or evening.
Set out a time every day or week to add new items that crop up.
Whichever way works for you.
The benefits of doing a brain dump
Clearing your mind of all the tasks and things to do can be so empowering. Freeing up the hard drive of your brain leaves you open to new possibilities.
Figuring out a way of keeping all the to do lists i none place so that you know where they are when you add another task onto it.
Who else is fed up trying to remember where the post it is or where you wrote down the things you have to do.
As you look at the list and have identified the priorities, focus on getting them done.
If you use a planner or calendar then fill in what needs to be done and when.
Can you get a few things done when you are in town instead of going in for every little thing.
A brain dump can end up being a bit of fun as you add some fun things on.
Sometimes the things we are putting off are easier than we thought and are blocking us from getting other tasks done.
Face the fear and tackle your priorities. Work your way down the list and feel motivated in achieving so much.
Don’t be afraid to adapt it to your needs. If you only do one once a month or end up doing one each evening. It is all up to you. Find out what works best for you and how you think.
If it doesn’t work for you that is also a win as you are now closer to finding some other way of simplifying your life.
Find your own routine and organisational methods.
Why not try a brain dump and find out.
Click on the size you need
Download for free and print the page or pages you need at home and start filling them in.
It is a minimalist design thought organizer template to save on ink when printing but allow you to personalise to your own style.
Please remember it is for personal use only and not for resale. Thank You!
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