My mind is racing. A million random thoughts are passing through my head at all hours of the day. Its no wonder I cant focus, and cant concentrate when I sit down to write something that should be so simple for me to put to words.
I know exactly what I need to be doing. I know how to do it. I just cant seem to transform that into action, even when I try to force myself through the motions.
It’s not the phone. Its not the environment. Its not any one thing, or even a combination of things. Its me. I believe it would take three days of pure solitude to clear my mind and get back on track at this point. Perhaps a long weekend away…
There’s nothing more frustrating, really. Especially to a person who is used to being focused and having a fast-paced schedule full of daily accomplishments. Weeks have gone by since the last time I felt a shred of true focus or a sense of accomplishment.
Ironically, this - what you are reading now - is the first thing I have been able to write in several weeks. Not that I havent written other things, but they just didnt come easy and took me all day to ‘put to paper’. Maybe I’ve found my flow again… or maybe not.
There’s nothing special about this morning. Its the same routine, with the same surroundings. There is plenty of background noise, plenty of interruption. I have a dull throbbing headache and a mountain of paperwork sitting here on my desk.
The things that seem to be distracting me so much lately are not even business related. I had thought the solution would be to simply tend to the things that are on my mind and get them out of the way, one by one. And that’s what I have been doing. Unfortunately, it seems to be a never-ending list and I am finding that its not tasks that are distracting me - its just that I am distracted.
It’s time for a ‘Brain Dump’ - obviously. If you’re not familiar with the term, its simply the process of listing out everything that is on your mind or that you want/need to accomplish. You include both personal and business tasks, goals, etc.
John Reese explains it much better than I do. If you have never done a Brain Dump, or need a refresher, the process was outlined in detail in John’s report from July 2004. The Brain Dump method starts on page 6 if you want to skip directly to it.
Basically you make three lists - and this is best done on paper instead of on the computer, as it really helps to write it out by hand:
1) Everything you want or desire to have
2) Everything you feel you need to do
3) Every business idea that you have
Next you take those three lists and create a Master Task List, prioritize that list - putting the tasks in order of importance, and then you start with #1 and do it. Its a very helpful and motivating process. If you’ve never done this before, grab a legal pad and join me at it!
Best,
Tags: distraction, motivation, task list, brain dump
6 responses so far ↓
Ellen Braun // Jan 28, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Hey Lynn,
I’ve been feeling similarly!!
I am ordering some new time-management books and dreaming about a week in a Swiss spa. Preferably with a Barnes and Noble nearby…
Teli Adlam // Jan 29, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Hi Lynn,
Glad to see you back blogging again. It sounds like you’re going through the motions — something everyone goes through — and it may be the right time for some re-evaluation.
As you’ve already mentioned, a brain dump. It may help you discover where your true motivation is and what you should truly be focusing your energy on right now.
Taking a break isn’t a bad thing, it simply means we give ourselves permission to recharge our batteries.
~ Teli
Robert // Jan 30, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I agree with Teli. This is part of what Ann Rusnak hopes that people learn which is that less is actually more or in other words instead of constantly trying to do more, plan days off with no computer access, don’t check your email, maybe get away entirely or at least go something that the whole family enjoys.
Phil // Jan 31, 2007 at 10:12 am
Hi Lynn,
“A million random thoughts are passing through my head at all hours of the day.”
Ah, the human condition! Wow, have we all been there, or what? I have this condition so bad I’ve had to develop a specific routine to stop the manic thought barrage.
I go this field:
http://bookkeeper-for-you.com/field.jpg
I bring a lawn chair, a sandwhich and a couple bottles of water. I’ll get there early 8-9am and stay til dark.
I watch the day go by. Just sit and watch. All day.
No books, no ipods, no cellphones etc. Being productive is strictly against the rules.
Once in awhile I’ll get up and walk around the field. The game here is to keep walking all the time, but as slow as possible. It forces your brain to slow down.
When thoughts come up, I say to myself, “Ok, I hear ya, but we’ll do that later.” And then go back to watching.
Thoughts can be like runaway trains, but if we apply the brakes patiently and steadily over a period of time, we can slow the train, and stop it.
Our brains are the most important server on the Net, and the future belongs to those who master this server.
Many of our competitors will likely exhaust themselves on the rat race thought treadmill.
The best ideas don’t come from our effort, but from somewhere within. We may have to shut up mentally for awhile to hear these inspirations.
Ha, speaking of manic thoughts, there’s some for you. Time for me to go get that lawnchair…
Best to you Lynn.
Jackie // Dec 8, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Lynn my WHOLE Mind is a distraction! I just learned about this ‘brain dump’ thing, for real this time, this morning! Now I am researching more into and doing my FIRST Brain dump tonight!
Lynn Terry // Dec 8, 2007 at 11:50 pm
You are going to LOVE it
Its a method I’ve been using for over a decade, but I really love the name John Reese coined for it “brain dump” and he lays it out really well.
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