Doing a brain dump

It depends what you actually mean by a "brain dump". Strictly speaking, it refers to the complete writing down of all the information you know about a particular subject or set of subjects but many people use the term to mean writing a full to-do list. If you mean the latter, then the only way is to set aside some time for it and to approach it methodically, breaking down all the things you want to do into three categories, "Must do", "Want to do" and "Perhaps" (you might want to colour-code them - "Red", "Orange" and "Blue", for example). You don't have to sit down and do it all at once. You can set aside 15 minutes or half an hour a day for a few days (or whatever you feel is appropriate). The important things are: 1) It should be an actual hand written list (writing things down by hand somehow makes them more memorable). It may seem more efficient to use technology to make the lists but, in fact, a hand-written list is much more "real" and more satisfying to work with. 2) You should use three sheets of paper or three sections in a notebook and keep them handy at all times. We often remember things at odd moments of the day and it's important to jot them down as you remember them. Start with the "Must do" list and write down everything - long and short term - which it's essential that you do (e.g. "Go to work", "Buy food", "Pay bills"). When that seems to be fairly complete, move on to the things which aren't absolutely essential and urgent but that you want to achieve, like "Fix that squeaking door", "Take more exercise", &c. Then jot down everything which falls into the "Perhaps" category - "Take that holiday I've always dreamt of" &c. Once your lists are underway and roughed out, take each in turn and refine it, make sure that each 'task' is as detailed as it needs to be and, in the case, at least, of the "Must" list has a date for completion. You may need to move certain things from one list to another at this point. Once you have your lists and they are fairly complete, start to do (and cross through when done) the things on the "Must do" list. If a task is 'waiting on' someone else to do something (a mechanic to fix the car, for example), note that against the task and make sure that "chase mechanic" is one of the tasks you have listed.

I've never heard of the term but I guess you write down everything you can think of that is worrying you. Is that about right?

I love the idea of a brain dump . . . but for me, my brain must be sticky because things tend to stay in my head . I do like to think that I can do some of it on myLot !

I did have a brain dump myself but probably I was so busy with doing chores too. I couldn't post anything from yesterday because of my illness.

I never really thought of it like that, it sounds...kind of gnarly haha! I just write things as I go, if I have something that is bothering me, I'll write about it, if something I am excited for, I write. I never want to miss a thought that I have.