Unclutter Your Busy Mind

By - karengray
03.24.21 06:40 PM

Do you ever find yourself struggling to sleep because your mind keeps racing? Do you have a hard time getting things done because it seems like there is too much to do?

 

Using a Daily List can help you to unclutter your busy mind and help keep you organized and motivated.

 

Why it Works

Short-term memory is the information that a person is currently thinking about or is aware of. It is also called primary or active memory. Recent events, thoughts, ideas, and sensory data like smells and sounds are stored in short-term memory. Short-term memory often encompasses events over a period anywhere from 30 seconds to several days, and it has a limited capacity.

 

In order to keep that information in the short term memory, it must be repeated again and again. This takes energy, effort, and can easily be derailed by other events, thoughts, and activities. Think of it as refreshing a webpage on your computer to update the information. Each time you hit the refresh button it uses resources and time to complete the update.

 

At the end of the day, when there is less stimulation for our minds to process, the conscious mind may continue the process of refreshing your to-do list again and again, reminding you of all the things you haven’t done and all the things you need to do.

 

Start Your List

Set aside about fifteen minutes each morning to write out your list. Write the date on the top of the page. On the first page, or the first column of your template, make a list of all the things you need to do. That might be doing dishes, running an errand, calling a utility company. You should even list things that you know don’t stand a chance of happening today. List as many things as you need to in order to get your whole to-do list down on paper. 

 

You can structure it however you want. I leave off routine daily tasks, because they are already part of my routine. I use a separate list for work related tasks as well. This is a tool for you, so use it in a way that makes sense to you. 

 

As you move through your day, check off everything you’ve accomplished. And add things to your list as you think of them.

 

The first part is about taking the burden off your conscious mind and keeping your thoughts organized. This next part is about resolving your list so it doesn’t keep you up at night.

 

Set aside about fifteen minutes at the end of the day to review your list. Make sure you have checked off everything that has been completed, and add in anything that you’ve thought of in the meantime.

 

On the next blank page (or column) write tomorrow’s date. One by one, transfer anything still on today’s list to tomorrow’s page. Cross out each item from today's list as you move it to tomorrow.

 

That’s it! By making a simple list of tasks every morning, and moving the incomplete ones to the next day every evening, you can end your day knowing that everything on your list has been addressed! Your conscious mind will stop trying to repeat everything while you’re trying to sleep, and you will feel more in control and more organized.

 

Request a free Daily List template below and use it for yourself.∎


karengray