It’s easy to become overwhelmed and frustrated—especially when something important is not advancing the way you want or as fast as you want.

I used to beat myself up pretty hard about the pace at which things progressed. We all struggle with this. Certain tasks can appear overwhelming. On any given week, it’s easy to wonder which task to do first.

Even when we know which task we want to focus on, sometimes we struggle with how to begin taking action. Many people tend to procrastinate doing random things, or sometimes nothing at all. Others may spend an enormous amount of time and energy worrying about all the details that the sheer quantity of analysis prevents any concrete actions or movement forward.

A busy mind is not a productive mind.

My mind sometimes jumps around like a popcorn machine, one idea or thought after the other. If unmanaged, my thinking knows no limits. It can quickly scrutinize the past, present, and future. And boy, can it create some intense stories—none of which are true, of course.

When this happens, I do a brain dump. I call this ‘blood on the page’—a technique I learned from my coach. It is the process of brainstorming everything and anything you are going to need to know, learn, do, research, master, and so on, in order to achieve an important task.

It doesn’t matter in what order the information comes to you—just get it out of your head.

For example: When I am writing a book, I document every task I can think of: identify chapter titles, write chapters, research and hire proofreader, research book designers, select designer for book cover, select designer for interior layout, figure out publishing process, research distribution process, etc. (Side note: notice how I highlighted research a lot. Why? Because research is important. Knowing what you don’t know and knowing how to find out is an extremely important part of advancing the ball forward on any important project.)

Things begin to crystalize when you put pen to paper. Seeing the details spread out like random puzzle pieces organizes our thinking (i.e. the four corner pieces are easy to spot.). This process helps me regain focus.

I want you to have the same experience.

Every time you hear the little voice in your head chirping: “I’ve got to …,” “I need to …,” “I have to …,” “I should….” , I want you to STOP and get everything out of your head—Blood on the Page!

Please forward this post to someone you know who may be feeling a little overwhelmed. As leaders, we have a responsibility to share what we are learning.