Are you feeling overwhelmed with too many thoughts swirling around? Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Tula XII’s Declutter Your Mind Insert—a simple yet powerful tool to help you regain focus and clarity in your planning routine.

Why Should You Declutter Your Mind Before Planning?

Before diving into your weekly planning, taking a moment to do a brain dump can make all the difference. Think of it as clearing the runway before takeoff! Here’s why this process is essential:

  1. Focus and Clarity – Decluttering your mind allows you to see your tasks and goals clearly without unnecessary distractions.
  2. Stress Reduction – A cluttered mind leads to anxiety. Brain dumping helps you approach planning with a calm mindset.
  3. Boosts Productivity – With a clear mind, you can prioritize tasks effectively and make better decisions.
  4. Enhances Creativity – Freeing up mental space allows for more innovative thinking and problem-solving.
  5. Improves Mental Well-Being – Regularly clearing mental clutter keeps you motivated and positive.
  6. Better Organization – Once your thoughts are sorted, planning your week becomes much more manageable.

Getting Started with the Declutter Your Mind Insert

Before jumping in, here are a few key reminders: ✔ This WILL be messy! ✔ Don’t aim for perfection—just let the process flow. ✔ Allow yourself to write freely without overthinking.

Step 1: The Timed Brain Dump

On the left side of your insert, start with the date column. This helps you track past ideas if needed.

Next, set a timer for 5–10 minutes and write down anything that comes to mind. It could be tasks, ideas, worries—just let your thoughts flow. If you’re stuck, simply start with “I can do this” until other thoughts surface. When the timer stops, finish your last thought and pause.

Step 2: Sorting Into Buckets

Now, it’s time to categorize your brain dump. We use four Buckets based on urgency and importance:

🔹 Bucket I – Urgent & Important: Tasks that must be done ASAP (e.g., an overdue oil change). 🔹 Bucket II – Urgent & Not Important: Routine tasks that need attention but aren’t high-priority (e.g., doing dishes). 🔹 Bucket III – Not Urgent & Important: The most valuable bucket—where planning, reflection, and long-term goals go. 🔹 Bucket IV – Not Urgent & Not Important: The distractions! (e.g., mindless social media scrolling, channel surfing).

Assign each brain dump item a Roman numeral (I, II, III, IV) to indicate which bucket it belongs in.

Step 3: Ranking Tasks

Now, prioritize tasks within each bucket: ✔ Assign a rank number to each task in a bucket (1 = most important). ✔ Work in order: Bucket I first, then II, then III. ✔ Use highlighters or color coding for easy identification.

Step 4: Creating Your Task List

Now, move your ranked tasks into the right-hand columns:

✔ Top 3 – The most critical tasks for today (from Buckets I & II). ✔ Easy 3 – Tasks that need to be done but are simple or enjoyable. ✔ Next 3 – The next priority tasks after the first six are complete. ✔ Get It Done – The remaining important tasks, listed in order.

💡 Pro Tip: Avoid transferring Bucket IV items—they aren’t worth your time!

Final Step: Scheduling Your Tasks

Once your list is ready, plug tasks into your daily or weekly planner. Pay special attention to Bucket III tasks, as these require deeper thought and action.

Using this method consistently will help you streamline your week, reduce stress, and focus on what truly matters. Try it at the start of each week for maximum efficiency!

Thanks for joining me to explore the Declutter Your Mind Insert! Give it a try and let me know how it works for you!