2-Step Brain Dump Method: A Simple Method That Helps Untangle Chaos in Entrepreneurs’ Head

To-dos, deadlines, personal problems: Sometimes entrepreneurs have so many thoughts buzzing around in their heads that they can hardly concentrate or switch off. The Brain Dump method provides immediate help.

Sometimes it all becomes too much: the carousel of thoughts never stops, even when having dinner with the family, urgent appointments or to-dos are still in your head. Tasks that are actually small suddenly cause stress because there are many more important things to do at work. And with so many projects on the go, entrepreneurs don’t know where to start – it’s almost impossible to concentrate on work. It’s clear that switching off after work isn’t possible either.

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The Brain Dump Method: Effective Against Stress

It’s high time for a so-called “brain dump“, which means something like “emptying the brain” or “throwing the brain in the trash“. The brain dump method helps to reduce stress, clear your head and sort out your thoughts. It saves you from overthinking!

If you lie in bed at night and think about everything you still have to do, it’s time for a brain dump.

Why should entrepreneurs like you use the brain dump method?

Because it helps them develop a plan of which tasks they should tackle and when, and which they can delegate or eliminate. The best thing about it is: The method is really simple.

How It Works: The Brain Dump Template

All entrepreneurs need for a brain dump is a few minutes, a quiet place, a pen and paper.

They can also write on the computer, but I recommend the old-fashioned option because:

“An email pops up on the computer – and you’re immediately distracted.”

Step 1: Write down your thoughts

According to the expert, entrepreneurs should first write down everything that is going through their heads: professional and private tasks, fears, worries, wishes, and ideas. You can write anything down, even if you’re annoyed with relatives.

You can use such a list as a brain dump template:

Make a four quadrants and name each quadrant with

The list can of course be longer. The key point is: If you’re constantly thinking about what you need to think about, the working memory in your head becomes limited. Putting these thoughts down on paper gets them out of your head, which makes things easier.

Step 2: Sort your thoughts

To be able to work more concentratedly, it is sometimes enough to simply write down your thoughts and then ignore the brain dump sheet. But if you really want to sort out the chaos in your head and approach your tasks in a structured way, the second step should be to develop a plan.

I recommend that bosses sleep on it overnight after writing it down, look at their tasks the next morning with some distance and then decide what they can delegate, delete or do later.

And what if the sight of all the to-dos on the brain dump list is overwhelming instead of relieving? Then you should simply admit that you have a lot to do and that you feel overwhelmed. Bosses who find it difficult to untangle their to-do list can ask a trusted team member for help. So that you can decide together which tasks are really important and which you as the boss can delegate.

No Time For a Brain Dump? It is Still Worth It

Trying out a new method when you’re already overloaded can be stressful and time-consuming for entrepreneurs. If that’s what’s stopping you from trying brain dumping, you should be clear about one thing: A brain dump is not wasted time. If you organize yourself in this way, those few minutes will save you a lot of time in the long run: because you’ll finally be able to develop a plan, eliminate or delegate tasks.