Happy Muslim Mama: Spacing Out and Mental RAM

You know that moment, when you feel you are at a loose end? There is a pile of work in front of you and a long to-do list, there are various people demanding your attention and a long day of work ahead and yet you just are not inclined to do anything anytime soon except sit and stare into space (or maybe your computer screen so you don’t get in trouble for skiving). Funnily enough, at the same time my brain is bubbling up with ideas, reminders and thoughts, all jostling with day-dreams for mental space.A good thing to do at a time like this is what David Allen calls a mental “RAM Dump” in his book “Getting Things Done”. He describes the way we often have so much going on in our head: the pressure of things we need to get done, our projects, work, appointment’s our anxieties. Our brain does not differentiate between what is urgent or what can be put off and so everything feels urgent. This build-up of data and tasks to do means that not only are we distracted, but feel often on the verge of mental overload. Allen suggests taking pen and paper and writing down everything that is in your head, once it is on paper you can prioritise and take steps to deal with what is important.I usually do this using two or three blank pieces of paper, split under the headings of:- to do today- to do this week- to do anytime- ideas and thoughtsI then write down every single thing that I can think of. Between them these list allows me to empty my mind and clear my head. This exercise helps give me clear direction on what I should do next and therefore motivates me.I will have a go at this in a little bit before I waste the whole day in a fluster, but I think I might sit here and enjoy staring into space a bit for the moment.

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