Sometimes you can have days or even weeks when you have so much on your mind that you're never quite able to get focused. It's at times like these that you'll need to do some serious decluttering!
Decluttering your mind is about clearing your head so you can focus more on the important things. Aside from making a list and trying to get organized, here are tips to help you clear your mind of any 'excess baggage', so that you will be able to focus more on the things that are of the greatest importance.
1. Let go of negativity
It's you and you alone who is in charge of what goes through your mind—but somehow many of us allow ourselves to become bogged down with negative thoughts. If you go around thinking negatively all the time, then you're never going to be in a particularly good mood—so it's best to let go of negative thoughts whenever possible, as it will relieve your mind of excessive stress. After all, if something has made you mad, what good is there in stewing over it all day?
2. Learn to say 'no'
Some people just can't say no, and always say 'yes' when they have been asked to do favours for others or have been offered an invitation. If you've already got enough on your plate then don't be tempted to add to it. So, if a work colleague asks you to do something, always think about whether or not it's practical for you to take the task on board. And there will surely be one or two things that you can say 'no' to in other areas as well. Sometimes if you just keep saying yes to something, it becomes a habit, and you very often get stuck with doing it — so train yourself to say 'no' when you need to.
3. Avoid interruptions
If your head is swimming with things to be done and you're getting interrupted frequently, you'll probably be getting nowhere and feel like your mind is in overload. Interruptions can cause your productivity to plummet, so try to avoid them whenever possible. For example, if you've got something particularly important to do for work, then consider working from home if you're allowed to do so, as you'll be able to avoid the majority of interruptions that may usually occur in your workplace. Simple things such as closing your office door—a sign to people that you don't want to be disturbed—will also help you to avoid interruptions.
4. Just do it!
One of the worst things for cluttering up your mind is putting off tasks that you have to do. They just sit there in your head and niggle away so you can never quite concentrate on another task that you are doing at the time. So, our advice is to just do whatever it is you need to do as soon as possible—so you can get it out of your mind and focus on the next task. If you don't do this, you'll often put more energy into thinking about doing something than actually doing it! And remember: it's amazing how quickly you can do something once you finally commit yourself to doing it.
5. Take a break
Some people just seem unable to give themselves a break — and by doing so they become more and more bogged down, so that eventually they can't think straight and end up making mistakes. Taking a few minutes away from your current task or activity will help you to clear your thoughts and then come back more refreshed and with a greater clarity of thinking. A short break between tasks will make you far more productive than if you just attempt to wade through one consecutive task after another.
Taking control of your mind
If you follow some of these tips then you'll soon find yourself back in control of your own mind, and your head will no longer be full of extraneous clutter and excessive information. By writing things down as they come up, and by taking action as soon as you can, you can successfully declutter your mind — and you'll then have more opportunities to think more productive thoughts!
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