Does this sound familiar? As you move through your day, the same thoughts run through your head: I need to do a few loads of laundry, I need to setup a manicure appointment, I need to go through my bills, etc. They’re recurring things you need or want to take care of. However, by remunerating them in your head, they’re taking up valuable mental space. (As an example, think about the time that you spend thinking about doing laundry vs. actually doing it.)
A better way to handle these recurring to-dos in your mind is to bring them into awareness and take action. Declutter your mental space and create room for wildly important things.
Use these 3 simple tips to free up your mental energy.
1. Identify
For a few mornings, spend 10 minutes to scan through all your recurring thoughts. Capture them in a way that supports you best – whether that’s on a pretty piece of notebook paper or directly into your smart phone. Take a good look at each thought or to-do and ask yourself one simple question: Is this worth my valuable mental energy?
2. Decide
For those things that you decide are worth all that mental energy, ask yourself: Can I let go of this thought? If I cannot, what can I do to automate the action behind it? Can I just decide that every Wednesday I will have a standing manicure appointment? Can I use a program to put my utility bills on auto-pay?
3. Practice
Consider the ways you have successfully automated other things in your life. Take a moment to give yourself praise for doing so. Then, set yourself up for success at the outset by creating a routine for your to-do items, putting appointments in your calendar, and generally doing whatever it takes to free yourself. (Hint: If you’re having trouble with this, consider looking to one of your role models.)
With time, this new practice will go on autopilot in your mind. What will you do with this new found mental space?
“Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe
