Easy Ways to Clear Mental Clutter

It must happen to you too — you wake up and already a million ideas and things you need to do are whizzing through your head. Then you get on with your day and all these pesky tasks just won’t go away. Having mental clutter can make you frustrated, tired and annoyed. So I say clear it out!

Here are a few ways that work for me:

Lists (10)

Write a To-Do List

This may seem a bit obvious, but it works! If you’re mind is crowded with all the things you have to get down, write them down in a To-Do List. This way, you can easily see what needs to get done and you can prioritize better. Read more

Take a Trip Down Memory Lane

Just last week an old friend (as in we’ve known each other a long time — not old like she’s actually old. I’m sure she would want me to clarify) dragged me to a concert.  I’m half excited and half embarrassed to tell you we went to the New Kids on the Block concert at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  Eee — I know! So I really didn’t want to go and she made me.  And I’m really glad she did.

It’s was so fun to hear all those old songs again and remember what life was like back in the 90s. haha!  I had a smile on my face the whole time. (Maybe some of that had to do with the Pinot Grigio…but I digress.)  So I wanted to take the opportunity to tell all of you how good for your soul a little trip down memory lane can be!  Whether it’s music, pictures or even clothes — remembering the past can be a blast.

Remember how much fun it was for Carrie and the girls from Sex and the City?

Congrats to Astrid: An Amazing To-Do List App

Would you like a personal assistant to help you remember appointments and check things off your to-do list? I know of one who will work for cheap and keep you organized and make sure you hit all your deadlines. Her name is Astrid. And I’d like to offer my congratulations since the company was just sold to Yahoo.  

Who is Astrid?

Astrid is an adorable little octopus and one of my favorite to-do list apps for iPhone or Android.  If you don’t have one of those devices you can also access this productivity tool by going to Astrid.com.

Astrid will keep all of your tasks organized and remind you of what you need to do with motivational and encouraging nudges like “How about it? Ready tiger?”  You can also rename all of your lists and maintain them however you like — set reminders or not, give your tasks due dates or not. It’s up to you. Read more

A List Can Save Your Life

Turns out making a list can do a lot more than just help you remember to pick up milk from the grocery store. When I first started this blog I got a comment on one of my posts from a family friend. She mentioned that having a list actually saved her life. Yep – you heard me right. The act of writing something down reminded her to do something crucial, which prolonged her life. Amazing right!

Checklists and Your Health

The comment was from a woman named Kate — who is a mother of three and a full-time teacher. She’s constantly running here and there between her children, husband, work and personal life. But it was a to-do list that stopped her for a moment and reminded her to make her annual doctor’s appointments.

Because of that list – doctors found a precancerous breast condition. She was able to take precautionary measures to reduce her chances of developing advanced breast cancer later in life. She told me that checking off “make doctor’s appointment” from her to-do list – saved her life. The power of a simple list is amazing — it’s no wonder that doctors use them too. Read more

Start Your Day Fresh, Not Frantic

Home Office Toys

Home Office Toys (Photo credit: cogdogblog)

It happens to everyone from time to time.  You walk into your office and your day is completely derailed because of added meetings, ringing phones and creeping deadlines.  But there is a way to tame the beast.   Check out my latest YouTube video for my number one tip on how to start your day fresh, not frantic.  It’s a technique I’ve been using for years as a tv producer and it’s served me well!  Hope it works for you — let me know how you do.