My Holey Brain

Today I gave a cursory glance to my right at a stop sign. Turned left.

And THEN it registered in my brain there was a car at that stop sign who CLEARLY had the right of way.

Oh, God. I’ve turned into THAT jackass.

Sigh. It’s time to admit I have a problem.

I’m always thinking about what’s next. What’s on the list. What I can cross off. How I’m gonna get it all done??

I’m scattered and frazzled.

Hardly present. Distracted, edgy, and living in the future.

Here’s why: I’m terrified I’m going to forget something. So I must do it NOW. Or make a plan NOW. Or problem solve NOW.

Does this sound like anyone you know?

I know I’m not alone because many of my clients struggle with this.

Which means it’s time to make a shift: Be. Here. Now.

But! But! HOW????

What about all the things I need to get done? 

What about my brain which seems to be full of holes? And everything is leaking out of it!

How am I going to deal unless I think of all the things all the time? AND take immediate action?

Easy.

Create an ongoing Distraction List. I learned this strategy from an efficiency expert.

It’s easy to implement: she suggests that when you think of something you want to do, research, explore, etc., you write it down on a Distraction List.

You have to be very clear with yourself that this is NOT a to-do list. It’s a place to put things so you don't forget.

Over the past few years, I’ve started calling it a Thought Parking Lot with my clients - and here’s why it’s so valuable.

The minute your brain knows it’s written down somewhere, it can RELAX. It knows you can always go back and find it.

 My strategy? Two choices: if available, use the notebook I always have with me.

If that’s not possible, then I add it to an ongoing list in my phone.

“Siri! Take a note!” [My Siri is a sexy Australian dude - so I always love when he shows up and says, “I’m here, Jen”.]

“Siri! Take a note. Order David Sedaris tickets.”

“Ask Meenu for her lentil recipe.”

“Talk to John about going to San Francisco.”

At least then I know it’s somewhere and I can retrieve it when I’m ready.

And present.

If you feel like me -  with an overly busy brain that’s constantly trying to scan for the next thing I need to do or remember, this tool is one of the MOST POWERFUL shifts you can make in 2020.

But remember, it’s not a TO DO list. It’s merely a tool so that your brain can stop scanning all the nooks & crannies up there for the hidden things you’re forgetting! 

You have a vision. You have a dream. You have a goal.

Want to get there? You need more energy, focus, and time to make it real.

This strategy is a simple tool you can implement everywhere, and at any time!

This is my #1 strategy for sanity.

Grab control of your busy brain…and tell me how this tool works for you.

Reach out on Instagram or Facebook @jenliddycoach and tell me how it’s going!