• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Meet the Girl ↡
    • About Abby
    • Contact
  • Projects ↡
    • Organization
      • All Organization
      • Printables Library
      • Productivity
    • Decorating
      • Our Home Tour
        • Current House Home Tour
        • Townhouse Home Tour
      • All Decorating
      • DIY
      • Furniture Makeovers
      • Crafts
      • Holidays
    • Blogging
      • All Blogging
      • Income Reports
    • Happy Thoughts
  • My Products ↡
    • Impactful Habits, Organized Home Organizing Course
    • Browser to Buyer
    • Blogging Binder Printables
    • Home Binder Printables
    • Student Binder Printables
    • Christmas / Holiday Planner
    • Fitness Journal
  • Free Resources ↡
    • ClarityList for Bloggers
    • How to Start a Blog in 2020
    • 100+ Blogging Tips, Tools, and Resources to Grow Your Business
    • My Favorite Organizing Items
  • Income Reports

Abby Lawson logo

August 3, 2017 By Abby Lawson 27 Comments

The Brain Dump Method of Productivity (and a FREE Printable!)

Pin676
Share8
Tweet
Email
684 Shares
The Brain Dump Method of Productivity can help you stay focused, get organized, and accomplish more! Productivity, Organized, List, List Making, Printable, Free Printables

Friends, sometimes life just feels crazy! As I type this, we are in the midst of a summer full of back to back to back to back trips!

Somehow we didn't realize when we made our summer plans that we scheduled so much time away for various conferences, family events, and vacations, but it has been a little nuts to say the least.

I am definitely not complaining at all. It has been so fun to spend time with my boys, visit with blog friends, and get good quality time with family-- this summer has been a fun adventure, truly.

But quite honestly, with trying to juggle work and life, there have been a few nights where I've had trouble sleeping because all of the little details and "to dos" have been swirling around in my head, and I'm afraid I'm going to forget something important.

[Pssstttt... See all 50+ types of free printables we offer on the blog in our library of free (and pretty!) organizing printables!]

The Brain Dump Method of Productivity

I was tired of losing sleep, so I came up with a super simple solution: the brain dump. Before I went to bed at night, I took out one of my blank notes printables, divided it into categories, and wrote down everything I could think of that I needed to do in each category.

Home Organization- The Brain Dump Method of Productivity can help you stay focused, get organized, and accomplish more! Productivity, Organized, List, List Making, Printable, Free Printables

I loved having one place where I could see everything I needed to do, and it gave me peace of mind that I wasn't going to forget anything. (And I was able to sleep better too!)

It would usually take me a few days to work through everything on my list, and when I had completed all of the tasks, I would do another brain dump and start the process over again.

It's so simple, but it was truly has been one of the most helpful tools to get me through this period of craziness!

Free Printables Library at justagirlandherblog.com

Get 200+ pages of free printables!

Become one of our VIP newsletter subscribers and gain access to our exclusive free printables vault!

I want in!

If you want to give the brain dump method a try, I'm giving you the pretty printable that I used to make my lists-- for free, of course! You can snag it below:

How to Use the Brain Dump Method of Productivity can help you stay focused, get organized, and accomplish more! Productivity, Organized, List, List Making, Printable, Free Printables

Click here to download the FREE printable blank notes page!

Grab more free printables to increase productivity here:

Free Printable Habit Tracker

How to Set Goals... That You'll Actually Accomplish!

Organize Your Week (with Free Printables!)

The Simple Technique that Helps Me Be Insanely Productive Every Single Day

Are you a list maker? Or do you prefer just to wing it? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy planning, friends!

Abby

Filed Under: Organization, Printables, Productivity Tagged With: brain dump, free printables, list making, lists, organization, organized, pretty printables, printables, productive, productivity

Pin676
Share8
Tweet
Email
684 Shares
Free Printables Library at justagirlandherblog.com

Get 200+ pages of free printables!

Become one of our VIP newsletter subscribers and gain access to our exclusive free printables vault!

I want in!
Previous Post: « Haven Blogging Conference 2017 Recap
Next Post: My Home Binder and Planner Tour! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sarah @The Teacher's Wife says

    July 26, 2016 at 8:33 am

    I'm a big fan of the brain dump method myself, but I love that you included your printable! Sometimes just getting down on paper frees up so much space in your bran!! 🙂 Have fun on all of your trips! 🙂

    Reply
    • justagirlabby says

      July 26, 2016 at 5:48 pm

      Thanks so much, Sarah! I so agree! Just getting it all out helps so much! 🙂

      ~Abby =)

      Reply
  2. Denise says

    July 26, 2016 at 11:24 am

    This is my favorite way to make a list! Ha! Seriously just did this a couple of days ago when we got back from vacation. I was feeling very overwhelmed, and it was nice to get it all out of my head and on paper. Seems much more manageable now!

    Reply
    • justagirlabby says

      July 26, 2016 at 5:46 pm

      Totally agree, Denise! Just getting it all out there helps so much!

      ~Abby =)

      Reply
  3. Paula Williams says

    July 26, 2016 at 12:01 pm

    I make list for everything and it helps me not to feel so overwhelmed I use to just write on paper but abby's free printables have changed my life!

    Reply
    • justagirlabby says

      July 26, 2016 at 5:45 pm

      You are too sweet, Paula! So glad they are helpful for you!

      ~Abby =)

      Reply
  4. Laine - Luna Lavande says

    July 26, 2016 at 1:07 pm

    I definitely "brain dump" too, but I tend to do it in the Notes app on my iPhone because I'm rarely at home when the ideas and reminders pop up in my head. I think I need to have all my ideas and to-do's next to each other in a list, so I'll be printing this out and writing everything from my notes down. I'll feel much more put-together with everything in one place, I think. This is really helpful, thank you! ♥

    Reply
    • justagirlabby says

      July 26, 2016 at 5:44 pm

      Yay! So glad it was helpful for you! The notes app is a great idea too! 🙂

      ~Abby =)

      Reply
  5. Christene Holder says

    July 27, 2016 at 8:37 am

    I'm just like you. I feel like when there's a million things running through my head I can't focus on the current task or just relaxing. Brain dump is crutial! I use an app on my phone to list off all the things running through my head and then sort them all later. It's nice to just get everything onto "paper."

    Your summer does sound so crazy, but it's all good stuff. Just lots of stuff :). Just remember it's only a season and it's not going to last forever. You will be back on track during the next "season" and into your new home (which I can't want to see BTW)! Hope you have fun at the Haven conference next weekend. I would love love love to go but I'm still a newbie this year and it just wasn't an option for me at this point (the cost plus taking time off of work etc.) I really want to try and go next year.

    >> Christene @ Keys to Inspiration

    Reply
  6. Harmony says

    July 27, 2016 at 9:55 am

    This sounds like such a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing all of your organization tips and printables with us- even when you are going through such a busy summer. I think this brain dump printable will be so so so helpful as I am quite a forgetful person (lol!). I have been known to write reminders for myself to do things on the back of a napkin or the palm of my hand, but my problem with that is they always end up lost or washed away, and I think this will be a perfect solution for that.
    I am also actually very excited for this coming school year thanks to your student binder printable, and have been inspired to clean out and organize my bedroom and closet after reading some of your posts. So a huge thank you once again for sharing with us!
    Oh and sorry to bother you, but I was wondering what fonts you used in the student binder printable? I am absolutely in love with it and would love to use it to make some labels for my art supplies:)
    ~Harmony

    Reply
    • justagirlabby says

      July 28, 2016 at 12:17 pm

      So glad it was helpful for you, Harmony! The print font for the Student Binder is Futura. SignPainter is the cursive one. Hope this helps. Have a great day!

      ~Abby =)

      Reply
      • Harmony says

        July 29, 2016 at 2:53 pm

        Thank you so much Abby for the reply- that will definitely help a TON! Sorry for the bother, and have a great rest of the summer;)
        ~Harmony

        Reply
  7. Vicki Bray says

    July 30, 2016 at 10:14 am

    This will come in so handy. We are working on building a home too. Nothing like waking up at 3:00 in the morning wondering how that streamlined toilet is installed! LOL Thanks so much!

    Reply
  8. Liz says

    August 04, 2016 at 6:46 am

    I literally have a list like that on my counter right now! I love the brain dump! I do it all. the. time. I have to in order to maintain my sanity. But mine usually just ends up on a blank piece of paper, so thanks for the pretty printable! I can't wait to use it. ?

    Liz

    Reply
    • justagirlabby says

      August 04, 2016 at 1:09 pm

      So glad it will be helpful for you, Liz! Hope you're having a wonderful week!

      ~Abby =)

      Reply
  9. Katelynn Fortier says

    August 08, 2016 at 9:43 pm

    I am getting ready to start college in a few weeks and I have been looking for a printable made for brain dumps. I love your printables it is always so pretty and colorful!

    Reply
    • justagirlabby says

      August 09, 2016 at 8:20 pm

      Yay! So glad you like them, Katelynn! Have a great year at college!

      ~Abby =)

      Reply
  10. Josie says

    August 03, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    Hi Abby,
    I absolutely know how powerful doing a "brain dump" is, I don't always remember to do it. Thanks for the timely reminder.

    Reply
    • justagirlabby says

      August 04, 2017 at 9:50 am

      So glad it was helpful, Josie! Happy Friday!

      ~Abby =)

      Reply
  11. Patricia Hidalgo says

    August 04, 2017 at 11:02 am

    Abby, those pictures of your binders make me so happy - I guess I'm a true organization junkie! Question - how do you print so many pretty things without breaking the bank on ink? Do you have any suggestions for those of us who are just running a household rather than a blog biz? Thanks! =)

    ~ Patricia

    Reply
    • justagirlabby says

      August 24, 2017 at 7:59 pm

      Hi, Patricia! At this point I know which pages I use most often, so I just print those for my own use rather than every single thing in the binder, so that helps. I talk about how I decide which printable to use in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBH7s6Sts38 . I hope this helps!

      ~Abby =)

      Reply
  12. Debbie says

    August 05, 2017 at 9:56 am

    This is a great plan and one that I use often. I like to start with this, and then prioritize items when I need to finish them. It helps to see the whole picture!

    Reply
    • justagirlabby says

      August 07, 2017 at 10:36 am

      It really does!!

      ~Abby =)

      Reply
  13. Bev says

    July 10, 2018 at 3:06 pm

    Sometimes the list is "ugly" but at least you can put it on a lovely template! Thanks so much Abby!

    Reply
    • justagirlabby says

      July 11, 2018 at 8:26 am

      Very true! Love that way of looking at it! 🙂 Have a great day, Bev!

      ~Abby =)

      Reply
  14. Beth Price-Almeida says

    November 02, 2019 at 1:58 pm

    Lines, glorious lines! I do NOT understand how anyone can do a brain dump even resembling straight without lines! Love this. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Abby Lawson says

      November 05, 2019 at 1:54 pm

      Haha! I agree, Beth! The lines definitely help! 🙂

      ~Abby =)

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Primary Sidebar

Hey there, friend! I'm Abby, and I'm so thrilled you stopped by! I love working to create a beautiful, thriving home, life and business and helping others do the same.

Read my story→

Let's Connect!

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Let's Get Organized!

Impactful Habits, Organized Home organizing course | https://abbylawson.com/ihoh
Deluxe Home Binder Printables | https://www.abbylawson.com/deluxe-home-binder-printables

Stick to your fitness goals!

Deluxe Fitness Journal | https://www.abbylawson.com/deluxe-fitness-journal-printables

How to Start a Blog

How to Start a Blog: The Definitive Guide

Our Course for Bloggers

Blogging: Organized

Deluxe Blogging Binder Printables | https://www.abbylawson.com/deluxe-blogging-binder-printables

Favorite Posts

Free Printable Library | 50+ Free Organizing Printables

50+ Free Printables to Organize Every Area of Your Life

home- cozy office nook, feminine home office, organized home office, small office, decorating, farmhouse office

A Cozy Office Nook

Ryan Homes Palermo Before and After Home Tour 2.5 Years In

Before and After Home Tour: Two and a Half Year Update

Free Printable Budget Binder Cover

Budget Binder for 2021 (with FREE Printables!)

Home organization- How to Organize Every Space in Your House, declutter, organizing, small space organization

How to Organize Every Space in Your House

Student Binder Printable Organizing Pages

Printable Student Binder

Personal Posts

Breast Cancer Awareness Month My Story by Just a Girl and Her Blog

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: My Story

This girl started out knowing nothing about blogging or online business and made 6 figures last year. Time to start that blog I've been thinking about!

From Hobby Blog to Thriving Business: My Blogging Story

Archives

Post Categories

Copyright

I love it when you share! Please keep in mind that all images and text on this site are property of Just a Girl and Her Blog. Feel free to use one or two photos provided that a link back to my original post is included. Please do not remove any watermarks, crop, or edit any of my images without first obtaining written permission from me. All free printables offered are for personal use only. Pinning is always welcome and appreciated! Thank you!

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Read our privacy policy and disclosures →

© 2021 Twenty Three Publishing LLC