Nov 7, 2022
Creating a Brain Dump: Why You Need to Build a Repo of Your Best Ideas
The secret weapon to 10x your creative output
Creators who crank out a lot of content have a secret weapon.
This weapon allows them to never run out of content ideas and create content based on their best ideas. This gives them an unfair advantage over their competitors and allows them to create better content faster.
This secret weapon is called a brain dump.
Intrigued? Then let’s get started.
What’s a brain dump?
A brain dump is nothing else than a personal library where you dump your ideas as soon as they arise. The goal is to empty your brain.
As David Allen says:
Your brain is great for coming up with ideas, not for storing them.
This hasn’t to be complicated. You can do this with pen and paper or the notetaking app that ships with your phone.
The only rule is to have something at hand every time to write your ideas down as soon as you encounter them.
Maximize your mental bandwidth
Our brain is a powerful machine.
But as with every machine, it has its limitations. One of the limitations is that we can only keep +/- 7 things in our short-term memory. When our mind wanders or when we sleep, important information gets either transferred into our long-term memory or entirely deleted.
Using a brain dump, you’ll be able to flush your short-term memory and unload your brain with the confidence that you won’t lose the ideas you just came up with.
Optimize for execution
Most people never realize that different tasks require different mental states.
Recording a podcast does not require the same energy level as writing an email. Replying to emails does not require the same energy level as mapping out your next product launch.
Creating content does not mean coming up with content ideas.
When you create content, you’re in a convergent state of mind. You need to get things down on paper. You need to start writing.
When you come up with ideas, you’re in a divergent state of mind. Your mind wanders and tries to find new ideas and connections.
A brain dump helps you sit down when it’s time to create without having to think. It optimizes your mental state to get the most out of your brain.
Become a publishing machine
Consistency is what separates the amateurs from the pros.
Yet, so many creators struggle to hit the publish button on a regular and predictable basis. One of the reasons is that they aren’t in the mood to create. They lack inspiration. Truth is, when you have a brain dump with hundreds of ideas to choose from, inspiration comes easily.
When you have a brain dump, you’re more likely to create content consistently, even on bad days.
Create your brain dump today
Creating content is not rocket science.
It’s all about having the right process. Starting a brain dump is the first step to building a giant repo of ideas you can create content about.
