Need to Get Organized? Dump Your Brain!

I experienced something amazing the other day. I experienced Brain Dump. Ok, maybe that's not the "scientific" definition. But it's a pretty accurate description.

If you've never given it a try, I highly recommend it. I believe it is, in fact, the most productive organizational tool I've ever encountered.

What is Brain Dump, you ask? It's the process of collecting every single solitary task you can possibly think of in one place.

Let me walk you through it:

1. Begin by choosing a format. If you're a paper person, pull out a notepad. If you like technology, choose an online to-do list that works for you. Personally, I've started using todoist, a web-based task management system that is super easy to use and a very simple layout. If you choose a technical format, be sure to watch the quick tutorials offered within the program. They often help you understand the ins and outs of the system, saving you serious frustration down the road.

2. Create your categories. Everything you need to organize has to fit into a category. Do not make a "miscellaneous" bucket as that will inevitably become a junk yard you can't sort through. Instead, break down every piece of your life in a methodical way. Here is my list of categories:

A) Personal

• Writing
• Blogging
• Organization
• Finance
• Ideas
• Learning
• Travel

B) Work

• Articles
• Sponsor Work
• Content Management
• Travel

C) Health

• Exercise
• Food
• Family/Friends
• Mental Health

As you can see, I haven't been overly specific, but I've created a bucket for every possible task. I may need to add more in the future. If so, the format I've selected is very flexible.

3. Dump your brain. Make note of every single task you can think of and add it to the correct category. I specifically included a folder for "ideas" because, even though there may be no specific tasks associated with them right now, I want to keep them organized and in a place I will see often. You can create something like this to collect all sorts of things. For example, consider adding a category for "to read," "to learn" or even "to think about."

4. Continue dumping for several days. Really push yourself to empty out your brain. The main benefit of this process is that you end up feeling very free. You're no longer filled with anxiety about tasks that need to get done because you know they're accounted for and won't be forgotten.

5. Commit to using it. Of course, the relief you feel assumes that you will continue to use this task list in the future. So don't dump and run! Open your task list every single morning. Keep it open all day long. Check things off as they are completed; add things as they come up. Let this list be your second brain.