Not sure where to start? Get “unstuck” with this one simple practice!
Do you want to start your business but weighed down by your to-do list? Take a minute to get out of being “stuck” and into a place of action with this simple exercise.
What is keeping you stuck?
Wouldn’t it be nice to have only one task on your plate? The reality is, you are busy and have lots to do every day! If you are going to have time to start your own business you need to get your task-list under control. Let’s take all of those to-do’s off of the ever growing list in your head and turn them into action steps to make real progress in my business. Not only will this help you create a clear plan of action to move forward. It will also all your mind to have some much needed rest!
Where should you start?
When your mind spins with all the to-do’s on your list it is not able to work as efficiently as you need. Remembering all of the tasks on your list only lead to the feeling of overwhelm. When you feel overwhelmed you feel stuck and stuck is the last place you need to be! The way to break out of this pattern is by doing a daily (or weekly) Brain Dump!
Your mind is not meant to be used as a storage unit. Your mind is meant for processing information. When you keep everything bottled up in your brain there is no more space for your brain to actually process information which leaves you feeling stuck and overwhelmed. Time to give your mind some much needed rest by giving all those thoughts somewhere else to go!
To get started you will need 4 things: A quiet space, a notebook, a pen, and your calendar. Make sure to find a quiet space where you can focus on your Brain Dump. My favorite time to do a Brain Dump is early in the morning before anyone else is awake! Those early morning hours are some of my most loved hours of the day!
Now, let’s get all of those thoughts and tasks out of your head and onto paper.
Here are the Steps:
- The first step is to write every last to-do or thought on your paper. That’s right. Write down EVERY thought in your head. From working out in the morning, to picking up your kiddos from school, to paying the water bill. Whatever to-do comes to your mind, write it down.
- From here, you need to organize those thoughts into categories. I like to use 3 main categories of Home, Work, Personal. This gives me a framework of what my primary focus is going to be for the week.
- Next, you will sort through your tasks. Which tasks are least important (or not likely to be completed this week)? Cross those off your list. Give yourself permission to let go of some of those things that are not important. Focus on the tasks that are the most important and will move the needle toward your BIG goals.
- Now we can focus on the remaining tasks that have the biggest impact on your life. Home, Work, and Personal. I like to choose my top 3 tasks for each category.
- Here is the most important step: WRITE those tasks in your calendar. Right now! When your to-do’s sit on a list there is nowhere for them to go. They will continue to sit on that list and have no way to move without you taking action. Take action by adding them to your actual calendar. Schedule the exact day and time you will complete each task and cross them off of your to-do list.
- The last step is for you to complete the tasks on your calendar. Make a promise to yourself to follow through on the things you add to your calendar. Do not let the time slip past without finishing the tasks scheduled. You are in charge of your time, so make today count!
Now that you have a plan, you are ready to take action and get those to-do’s done! It is that simple! Now your mind has freedom to think clearly about each task on your schedule. No more storing all of those thoughts in your head!
Complete a Brain Dump every morning to see the most change and growth. You will quickly feel less overwhelmed because you will have a plan and know what your next action step is. This simple daily practice will change your life! It will give you the mind-space you need to start the business you have been wanting to start. Take the time to do this every day and stop drudging through a never-ending to-do list!
Now, let’s stop getting stuck, and let’s get to making!
