4-Step Brain Dump for Clear Vision
A brain dump requires that you make a clean sweep of all of the clutter in your mind. It’s not hard or complicated but it brings freedom from trying to remember tedious details. A brain dump is “removing all of the accessible information from your brain and putting it on paper or e-document.” I define a brain dump as releasing the mental clutter in order to move forward.
Start with a blank piece of paper or page in a journal. If you work from home for an employer or even if you are self-employed, I suggest that you create one page for personal/home and one page for work. I choose to create my brain dump list in a journal because it is ongoing and I am constantly adding to it.
Now, make an appointment with yourself when you will have fewer distractions. Maybe before kids get up in the morning or after they go to bed at night, or after your partner leaves for work. If you have littles, you could utilize nap time. Find a comfy chair, relax with a cup of tea, and let the list flow. Follow these four steps to help release you from overwhelm.
Write down whatever comes to mind.
If it’s on your mind, it goes on the list without concern for order or limitations. Your list should include tasks you need to do (daily, weekly, monthly), projects you are considering, purchases you need or want to make, skills you want to learn, personal care habits you need to develop, appointments you need to make, etc. Jot down ALL the items that are taking up brain space and those that you fear you may forget.
Give yourself plenty of time even if it means a couple of dumping sessions. And, never consider the list finished. Our lives are constantly changing creating new demands and considerations. Keep adding new thoughts to the list as needed so they become a part of your priority setting system.
Use highlighters to code your list
Create an index for your highlighting, i.e. pink for personal items, green for budget items, etc. Choose colors that will mean something to you. You will notice a pattern of categories emerging that may include:
- Daily, weekly and monthly tasks. You will use these items to create meaningful routines that will help you to maintain order and take care of yourself. (Next week’s post will begin to address creating routines.)
- Organizing projects.
- Trips to plan.
- Purchases you are considering to evaluate for priority and budget.
- Skills you want to learn, the lessons you want to take, etc.
- Creative projects that you have the supplies for but haven’t started or completed.
Set priorities
For each highlighted category set priorities based on your goals and dreams. Mark the most important items with a star. This exercise gives you a starting point.
Recognize that not everything on your list is going to fulfill your goals and dreams, but it may fall into your realm of responsibility. If it does not move you towards the fulfillment of your goals or live in your list of responsibilities at home, work or in the community, consider why it is on the list. Is it necessary? Does it improve your life or the lives of your family and community? Is it busywork that you can delegate? It is okay to dump things off your list that don’t meet the priorities that you have set.
As women, we are often guilty of assuming tasks because someone else has made us feel that they need to be done. However, others don’t live our lives. It is okay to say “No!” to tasks and activities that do not fit into the life you are building. Remember, too, that fun and relaxation need to be included in your priorities to prevent burnout, overwhelm, and frustration.
Pick a project
Now, don’t pick up all of the overwhelm that you removed with the brain dump! Choose one project and break it down into simple, manageable steps. Put those steps into your daily/weekly planner. Be kind to yourself and don’t over plan. It’s best to address one project at a time and finish it. A completed project builds your confidence and sense of well-being. It gives you the courage to tackle the next project.
Remember the tune from Santa Clause is Coming to Town that says, “Put one foot in front of the other, and soon you’ll be walking ‘cross the floor..?” A brain dump is a tool that helps you to move toward your goals and dreams one step at a time.
As new ideas come to you, add them to the list. Don’t use up brain power trying to remember all of the things that flit through your mind. Give yourself permission to examine and evaluate whether ideas fall within your priority system or need to be left to someone else. Feel free to focus on one thing at a time instead of trying to keep track of all of it in your brain.
Next steps
A brain dump is the natural next step after you have reduced the noise in your mind by taking control of technology input. It is essential to reduce the noise and static from external input and to take control of the clutter that prevents you from focusing on the next important thing. If you haven’t read it, take a moment to check out the post linked above.
Our assignment this week is to start moving forward. Clear our minds with a brain dump and reduce the noise by controlling technology. Your dreams and goals are reachable if you utilize the tools that help you make progress and stop slogging through the confusion and overwhelm that we allow to blur and hide our dreams. Please share your progress with me so I can pray and support you.
Sharing my heart for my home and yours,
