The importance of writing things down

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you have a lot on your mind. When your head is filled with the things you have to do this week, the people you need to call and the groceries for tonight, there is less space for other, more creative thoughts.

A friend of mine compared it to a vase that you can fill with rocks. If you first fill it with a lot of little rocks, there is no space anymore for the bigger rocks (your goals in life). So, it’s important to get rid of the little rocks, to make space for the larger ones. One of the ways you can do that, is by writing them down. Write a to-do list for today and for the week and keep it with you, so you don’t have to think about those things anymore. I remember that Richard Branson, the great entrepreneur, is also a big fan of always carrying a notebook.

Next to writing down your to-do list, it’s also good to keep a notebook or journal with you to write down those ‘bright ideas’ you have from time to time. You know, those ‘aha moments’. It would be a waste if you forget those in the rush of the day and it’s hard to remember them when you have a lot on your mind.

Lastly, I heard someone once say that your mind is for creating ideas, not for storing them. That summarises it well. Create some space in your head by writing down your thoughts.

Categorised in: Habits

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