The 5-Step Fix for a Scatter Brain

The Filter Every Scatter-Brain Needs

I'm sure you can relate.

The work deadline, the groceries, the after-school pick-up, the bake sale, the bookkeeping, calling the plumber... 
And that's before we even get to the things you actually WANT to do. 

My brain does that, too. 

Maybe it's ADHD coupled with the world we live in (hellooooooo, TikTok!) that accelerates the overstimulation and brain-drain. 

So how can you quickly and effectively decide what's actually important and deserves your attention? 

You run it through a filter.
And at the core of that filter is your pre-existing plan. 

It's the plan that gives you crystal-clear vision of what actually fits, what's unrealistic, and what's simply a "great idea" that has nothing to do with where you're going. 

It's the plan that turns Scatter-Brain Suzie into Calm & Clear Clarissa.
(No offence to any Suzies or Clarissas in the house, btw.)

But this can't just be *any* plan... 
This has got to be a GREAT PLAN... 

...which has little to do with the fancy planner itself, and evvvvverything to do with what you put in it. 

My Scatter-Brain-Proof Recipe 

Here's how I apply this in my life and business: I've just spent two days at a business and marketing workshop. 

Ideas are quite literally oozing out of every one of my brain cells: 

"Build your performance dashboard, level up your podcast, be active on TikTok, double down on YouTube, start a Substack, invest in Meta Ads, post your newsletter on LinkedIn, finally build your website, do this, do that, and do it all YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!" 

^^^ That's my default brain pattern, and I wouldn't be surprised if you told me you hear the exact same voice in your head any time you walk out of a meeting full of actions and/or ideas. 

So, here is the simple scatter-brain-proof recipe I use as soon as I notice the phenomenon happening between my ears. 

Step 1: Review my notes and sort them into actions, ideas, and thoughts/resources. 

Step 2: Nest similar themes into one group or mini-project. 
(For example, any notes related to "Substack" get their own section.) 

Step 3: Distil this down into 1-3 (MAXIMUM!!!) key actions.  
This is the hardest, and most important, part. 

Step 4: Review my pre-existing plan (i.e. the projects, to-dos, and actions I've ALREADY committed to). 

Step 5: Adjust the plan accordingly. 

This means you don't just stack the new projects on top of everything else. You ADJUST it. You shift things around, move timelines, delete things that don't actually need to happen, and move certain ideas to your "later" list. 

There's a whole process for this, but in a nutshell, my key message is: 

Don't just pile extra weight onto an already overloaded plate... that's a recipe for overwhelm, failure, and exhaustion. 

Not Every Idea Is Created Equal 

There's nothing wrong with changing your plan. In fact, that's the one constant you can rely on: your plans WILL change. 

But trying to do everything, all at once? 
That doesn't work. 

Not all to-dos, ideas, or projects are created equal. 

Your calendar isn't an infinite pool of work time. I'm sure you'd like to get out there and enjoy your life instead, be it sipping a cocktail (by an actual infinity pool) or playing with your (fur)baby. 
Or both. 

A great plan is how you get there. 

Planning is my jam. 
Keep hanging around my corner of the internet, and it'll be yours, too. 🍒 

I've got something brewing in the background. 
As a subscriber to Flourish Weekly, you'll be the first to know... so watch this space.