A brain dump may be just what the doctor ordered.
—Barry Demp
Image from Unsplash by XPS
How we carry our load of responsibilities when we are overwhelmed is very important to keeping our balance and not being crushed by the weight of things.
Breaking things down into smaller bites can help us to tackle even big challenges.
Steps I’ve found helpful include:
- Write down everything on your personal and professional To Do lists. This may take many sheets of paper. Keep asking “what else?” until you get it all.
- Estimate how many minutes each activity will take to complete.
- Prioritize the items that are both highly important and highly urgent. Be rigorous here, and consider discussing this list with others.
- Using your calendar, insert enough priority items to offer you a doable level of challenge, based on the time available.
- Share your intentions and plans with key individuals to establish agreed upon expectations, and to avoid upsets.
EXERCISE:
Schedule 15-60 minutes today to dump your brain and go through the steps above.
Be prepared to have this process take a number of days until you make this exercise a habit.
Share this exercise with a colleague, friend, family member, or a coach, to help you regain you momentum and the traction you desire.