Get Control of the Chaos Using a Brain Dump
Brain dump is defined as the act or an instance of comprehensively and uncritically expressing and recording one’s thoughts and ideas (as on a particular topic).
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brain%20dump
In a recent post, I brought up the subject of using a brain dump. Some of you may immediately have thoughts and a picture in your mind with these words; however some may not know anything about how to use a brain dump. Or you may be in between the two groups of people. Where ever you are on the brain dump continuum, this post was written just for you.
Using a brain dump is a beneficial practice that can help you just organize your thoughts and rid your mind of the clutter that may be present.
Benefits of a Brain Dump
Clear Your Mind
Using a brain dump on a regular basis allows you to empty your mind of unnecessary thoughts. There has been a significant amount of research on the thought processes of humans and how many thoughts we have each day. The number is astounding. Based on research, we experience up to 60,000 thoughts each day. Some of these thoughts, up to 90% of them, can be a repeat from the previous day. Now, you can use a brain dump to capture some of these thoughts; hopefully, this will free up your mind for new thoughts during the next day. New thoughts that can propel you towards your destiny. Successful people do not dwell in the thought area. Once they harness a thought, they put that thought into action. A brain dump assists you in locating those thoughts that can become successful for you.
The other aspect of human thought that is studied is our positivity and negativity. The majority of the thoughts that people have are negative (~80% negative thoughts daily) unless you do some mindset adjustment. There is a complete section on this blog that supports positive thinking during your daily routine and ways to increase your positive thinking. You can find this section of the information here.
Here is another resource that speaks directly towards positive thoughts:
Prioritize
Figuring out where to start can prove to be a challenge. Deciding where to spend the most time can also be difficult. Performing a brain dump and then organizing your thoughts can assist with this. Sometimes I feel like I am not going to be able to accomplish everything that I need to get done in a day. For some time, this feeling of overwhelm would frustrate me and cause me to be paralyzed without moving forward in anything. Looking at my thoughts helps me get organized. With this organization, I feel more in control and more confident in the daily steps I take to accomplish tasks. I also allow myself some grace- knowing that tomorrow is a new day that I can use to get more things done.
A key for me with brain dumping is this prioritization. I create a priority list; not a To-do List. I have 3 top priorities that I need to accomplish during a day so I can feel like I have made gains. Who doesn’t like crossing things off their list?
How to Brain Dump Easily and Effectively
You know your time is limited so whatever you do must have a huge return for you to take time to do it on a regular basis.
- Set a regular time for the brain dump session. This needs to a time where you can be uninterrupted and not distracted. Block out 10 to 15 minutes when you are going to perform your brain dump.
- Have a notebook and a pen ready. Choose a notebook that will be specific for your brain dump every time. It is helpful to have your notebook and pen in the same place. Returning to a certain location in your environment will get you into the mindset of what you are about to do. Just like having dinner in the kitchen alerts your body that you are about to eat in the kitchen. Having a peaceful location to perform your brain dump will support the process that you will go through.
- Do not judge your thoughts. This is a hard at first. I use to not include things because I thought they weren’t important or I didn’t have enough information to include them on the brain dump; however when you are performing the brain dump, the writing process is not when you decide what is important. Priority setting happens after your time is up.
Put everything down. I don’t restrict myself. I write down appointments I remember. Events that are happening recipes I want to make. Movies I want to watch. I include it all. Thoughts I have about my children. Thoughts about my future. Relationships. Prayers. It becomes a stream of thoughts.
I make the focus of my brain dump to rid myself of having to remember or carry unnecessary thoughts in my mind. I need to use my mental capacity to develop my purpose. I do not need to be trying to remember extraneous things. I also do not need to have to remember important things either.
- Decide how you plan to use your brain dump. You can use it to help you in your planning of your week. It can help you decide what you need to focus on in the present, what can be postponed for the future, what you can delegate. It can help to make separate lists to help you become even more organized. Suggestions: Begin at back of your brain dump notebook and title your lists. Once on the list, you can include dates, times, people’s names. This is where you fill in all the details or transfer items to your calendar.
List ideas after your brain dump
- Future
- Travel Plans
- Goals
- Appointments
- Tasks
- Delegated
- Important dates
- Holiday plans
- Books to read
- Now (include due dates for completion)
Creativity should be included in a brain dump. Doodling is allowed. Decorating is allowed after you are done and start organizing.My motto is use what you need to keep yourself motivated and invested in what you are doing. Set an intention for your brain dump.
Why are you performing it? To be more organized? To free up brain space? To have a first step in your planning process? To support your mental health? You can use a brain dump for all of these things and more.
More information about brain dumping
Using Brain Dumping to Manage Anxiety and “Over Thinking” https://psychcentral.com/pro/recovery-expert/2020/04/using-brain-dumping-to-manage-anxiety-and-over-thinking#1
How to Untangle Your Mind with a Brain Dump https://littlecoffeefox.com/brain-dump/
USING MY BULLET JOURNAL TO DO A BRAIN DUMP https://stationerynerd.com/braindump/
Brain Dumping for the Stressed and Anxious https://medium.com/@micahmcg0035/brain-dumping-for-the-stressed-and-anxious-a6f76e6c05c8
4 Simple Steps to Brain Dump for a Smarter Brain https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/how-to-do-the-ultimate-brain-dump.html
How to Do a Brain Dump & Why You Should https://thepetiteplanner.com/how-to-do-a-brain-dump/
I am passionate about optimal work life balance and I can help women excel in both areas without compromising in either area because I have found systems of planning, organization, and personal development that help achieve goals. One of these systems is utilizing a brain dump. If you have not tried it out before, I highly recommend that you see how this practice can support you.
Be you, be focused, be well! Find Your Flourish! |Shanna|
- How to Use Affirmations to Support Your Children
- How to Customize Your Morning Routine so It Works
- How to Discover Your Passion and Develop Your Midlife Business
- Mom [Boss]
- How to Identify and Set Intentions for Your Morning Routine
[…] importance of using a brain dump can not be stressed enough. It can aid you in organizing thoughts that seem to have nowhere to go […]
[…] Get Control of the Chaos Using a Brain Dump […]
[…] a brain dump can also help you organize your thoughts and assist you in the decision making […]
This concept is so new to me, but it sounds really beneficial!
Jupiter- You definitely give a brain dump a try and see how it helps you get organized while letting go of what is not important to remember. Try it out! |Shanna|
[…] I use my brain dump process and then create my priority list. Did you read my post about using a brain dump and how helpful it can be to you? Check it out here. […]
Great post. I do this. I find it all eats away from me and I can’t cope or organise it until I write it all down. xxx
Claire- Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I know you are glad that brain dumps work for you and help you get through your routine. Brain dumps are great for my mental health and I use them on the regular to control my thoughts. Sometimes they help me see some more positivity in my life when it is challenging. |Shanna|
I love this! Brain dumps are so important to get your mind cleared.
Danielle- Thank you for reading and thank you for your comment. I hope that you found something in the post that will assist you in your brain dump routine. |Shanna|
This is such a great idea! I need to do this more often.
Cyndi- I hope you do find more time to get into being able to brain dumping on a regular basis. It is such a helpful concept to use when ever you get the chance. |Shanna|
Brain dumping sound calming and refreshing. Something I will definitely recommend for moms every now and then.
Jamesetta- I find that brain dumping is one of those practices that is so helpful in all areas of my life. The mom part, the home part, the work part. It is great for everything. Once someone is able to locate a time to do it, they will definitely be able to see the benefits it can bring. |Shanna|
I have never heard of a brain dump. But, it totally makes sense! Thanks for these suggestions! 👜🏨🍕
Ceci- I am so glad that this brought the brain dumping process into your life. I suggest that you try it out and see how it can assist you in getting organized and aid you in managing your tasks. |Shanna|
What a great resource! I will have to start doing this!
Briana- Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I do hope you found something that will help you flourish in your daily routine. |Shanna|
A priority list is definitely a game changer! Totally agree.
Mrs.Cherry- Thank you for taking time to read this post. I live by my priority list as. It assists me in accomplishing more than a To-do List. |Shanna|
This is one of the reasons I love journaling and morning pages so much! It helps me to release my thoughts/anxieties….. and choose what is a priority to me.
Anasha- Oh my goodness! Yes, morning pages is such beneficial practice for someone to do. It is amazing how helpful using journaling can be- such a great release of things that may be weighing you down or stoping you from stepping out of your comfort zone. I hope you found something to help you with your practice in this post. |Shanna|
This is a great idea for clearing your mind! I’ll have to try it!
Forever- I am glad this post gave you an idea you would like to try. I hope that you are able to discover what brain dumping can do for you in the near future. It is definitely something that I use as part of my daily routine to help me find out what I am really thinking without any input from anyone else. |Shanna|
This post is so good and right on time for me. Thank you!
Carmen- Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I am glad you found it helpful. I hope that you are able to use brain dumping as a support to you. |Shanna|
I have a lot of things in my mind every day, and I think this is the best advice for me to do. Thank you!
Gervin- Please try out the brain dump and let me know how it goes! I am sure that you find it a beneficial practice to your daily routine. |Shanna|
This sounds like such a good idea. Especially for mamas, I’m going to give this brain dump a go. Thanks for sharing 😊
Lynn- I hope that you are able to try brain dumping soon. It helps me to be able to focus on what is important while letting other things go. I am sometimes surprised by what comes out because I had filled it away subconsciously. |Shanna|
It’s been such a long time since I’ve done a brain dump. They are definitely helpful.
Ashley- I agree that brain dumps are extremely helpful. It is something that I have made part of my routine for awhile. |Shanna|
I’m going to follow your blog… this is new to me. Thank you for this enlightening information!!! I will try this soon 💝
Alexa- I am glad you found something on the blog to help you. Do try out a brain dump and see what it can do for your routine. I think you will find that it is helpful to help you organize your thoughts while freeing your mind for other creative venues. |Shanna|
Half of my journal entries are brain dumps. Thanks for the ideas!
Natalie- I appreciate your comment. Isn’t it amazing how helpful brain dumps can be? They really help support a positive mental state for me as my days are full of many moving parts. I have to find what work so I can be the best version of myself in all situations. |Shanna|
I definitely need a good solid hour or so to do a good brain dump! There is so much up there! LOL
Jennifer- Thank you for your comment. I understand needing an hour to brain dump. Sometimes I need an extended period as well. It is just so beneficial to do. It really assists me with my mental state and with my organization. |Shanna|
I’m a major fan of brain dumping! It’s such a therapeutic and releasing practice. Thanks for such a great breakdown!
Fatima- Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate it. Brain dumping is on of my favorite organizing practices. |Shanna|
I have started so many blog posts by just dumping my thoughts into them. It really helps to clear my head. x
Kim- Brain dumping is a great tool for blogging. It clears your mind and then you can find a topic or two that will be great for posting. |Shanna|