4: Get Everything Out of Your Head

Welcome back to this free intro course on Getting Things Done. So far, we’ve gone over the following big ideas from the book:

• 1: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
• 2: Define What “Done” Looks Like
• 3: Mental Work Has 5 Distinct Phases

Here’s what we’ll be looking at today…

4. 
Get Everything Out Of Your Head.

“Feelings of being overwhelmed, stress and anxiety are caused by mental overload.  There is a limit to how much “unresolved stuff” the mind can hold.” —David Allen, Getting Things Done

Many people try to keep track of everything they need to do in their mind, which is a big mistake!

Our brains are optimized for fast decision-making, not storage.

Trying to juggle too many things in your head at the same time is a major reason we get stressed out when there’s a lot going on:

We’re using the wrong tool for the job.

The best way to stop mentally thrashing and start being productive is to spend a few minutes getting everything out of your head and onto paper. 

You can write or draw—whatever works for you, as long as you can see it when you’re done.

Once the information is out of your head, it’s far easier to figure out what to do with it.

Even 10 minutes of Externalization can help you feel less freaked out about your workload.

Of course, it’s better not to be freaked out in the first place, so make it easy to capture what you’re thinking on paper.

For example, you may want to carry a wallet that has just enough space for 3×5 index cards and a pen. This way, whenever you have an idea, it’s easy to capture it, even if you don’t have your notebook or computer with you when the idea strikes.

If you reduce the friction you experience when capturing ideas, you’ll naturally capture more of them.

Actionable insights

• Set aside a block of time to get everything out of your head and onto paper. Take as long as you need.
• Once you’re done, pause for a moment and notice how relieving it feels to not have to carry around ALL that mental baggage anymore.