005- The Power of a Brain Dump

In this episode, we ditch the script and explore the power of a good brain dump!

Ever feel overwhelmed by a swirling mess of thoughts and to-dos? You're not alone! Host dives into a conversation about the magic of brain dumping, a technique where you simply get everything out of your head and onto paper.

You'll also learn:

• What a brain dump is and how to do it
• Tips for prioritizing your brain dump
• The importance of self-care for productivity

Bonus: Hear a hilarious confession about laundry folding (or the lack thereof)!

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. The information and recommendations provided during our coaching sessions are intended to support your overall health and wellness and are not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with your physician before making any changes to your medication, treatment plan, or if you have any concerns about your health.

Transcript

Speaker 1 2:30

Hi, and in this episode we're taking it a little off script. I wasn't feeling completely in alignment with what I had planned for this episode, so I'm changing it up. I was actually on a Zoom call last night with my podcasting mentor, carolee, and I was explaining to her my challenges this week, with feeling out of alignment with my planned half planned all right, let's be real unplanned episode for this week. And she was like okay, tell me what's on your mind. And at that moment I started to brain dump word vomit and you know what it was amazing. Carly said to me you know, I think you have an episode right here and hot diggity I did. Have you ever brain dumped before? I know it sounds really gross, but it feels so good.

Speaker 1 3:27

And you basically just take everything that you can that is floating around in your head and get it out on paper. It's like journaling or creating a list, and it doesn't have to make any sense. You just start writing and if something specific seems to be weighing on you, then you can dump on that specific topic, like business goals for this next month or quarter, or vacations that you want to plan for this next year, or what needs to be done by such and such a day For me. I like to make a bullet list, and when I find myself with a ton of air quoting here to do items that are just racing around in my head, I'll sit down and just start writing it all out what I need to do, what I want to do, for example, pay bills, record, podcast schedule, annual physical with the pediatrician for one of my sons. We'll do the yearbook for school before the due date. Print the school supply list for next year, get that Amazon return back to UPS before that return window closes and how many times have I missed that before Too many. Pick up dessert for the girls night. That's in the next two days. Pack for the weekend getaway. Clean the guinea pig cage. Scoop the coop and refill the water and feeders for the chickens.

Speaker 1 4:50

I sense you have a similar list floating around in your head too, and maybe not chickens and guinea pigs, but there's a lot of things to do, right? The list just never ends. It's always revolving. But once you're done with the dump I'm sorry, I can be immature with certain words you can go back and filter through it and identify priorities that require your action and cross off items that truly don't need your attention. I really like how my business mentor Holly puts it after your brain dump, follow the four D's, do, delegate for and delete. So, as you're filtering through your list, what do you need to do, what can you delegate to someone else to do and what can wait to be deferred to a different time, and what doesn't truly need to get done at all that you can cross off immediately?

Speaker 1 5:51

I'll tell you one thing that's always on my defer list folding clothes. My basement couch is full of clean clothes waiting to be folded and put away. In fact, they're staring at me right now as I record this. Don't hold your breath. It's going to be a long time before I tackle that one. Listen, my kids will always have clean clothes to wear. I just cannot and will not promise that they will be folded and in their drawers. And you know what I've learned to be okay with that. I have stopped letting that pile of clean clothes have power over me. I do have to do a shout out, though, to my mom and my mother-in-law for always taking it upon themselves to fold my laundry when they are here visiting. It's truly a gift you can't put a price on.

Speaker 1 6:40

But at the time of this recording. We are nearing the end of May, so all of the end of school activities feel like they're scheduled back to back the concerts, the end of year banquets, the last sporting events and that usual rush rush feeling is pretty extra lately. So tonight the boys and I are leaving to take a three hour trip up north to attend my dad's surprise 60th birthday party, and we are really excited about it because he truly has no idea and by the time this episode airs the party will have happened, so we're totally safe there. When are you going to do your brain dump? Set a timer for five or 10 minutes, or just start writing and stop when your brain feels empty? When reviewing your notes and determining what needs to be done and what can wait? That taking time for yourself should be a non-negotiable. It doesn't have to be anything extravagant, but what feels good to you? Hit that reset button and do something that fills your cup, because taking care of yourself helps you take care of others, and when you feel better, you do better.