The Brain Dump Exercise

Try something called a “brain dump” in the first hour of your day. This exercise, which only requires 10 minutes, can help you empty your mind of negative thoughts and streamline your focus on what matters most.

It works like this: Take a few minutes to write down on paper everything that’s weighing you down, letting your mind flow freely onto the page. If you think keeping everything you need to know neatly packed away in your head is a smart way to run your life, you’re probably hurting your productivity and stifling your creativity.