Posted 2 months ago

The Mind Dump List: A Simple Habit That Unlocks Massive Clarity and Ex

One of the most powerful productivity hacks I’ve ever learned didn’t come from a book, a seminar, or a podcast. It came from a conversation with my good friend, Blaine Oelkers.

Blaine taught me the concept of the Mind Dump List and ever since I adopted it, I’ve seen dramatic improvements in my ability to focus, execute, and move faster in both business and life. It’s so simple that most people overlook it. But don’t let the simplicity fool you this tool works wonders.

What Is a Mind Dump List?

At its core, a Mind Dump List is about giving your brain a break.

Every day, our minds are running a thousand miles an hour thinking about calls we need to return, projects we haven’t finished, family obligations, random ideas, and even things as small as “buy lightbulbs.” All that mental clutter creates stress and slows execution.

The Mind Dump List solves that problem by getting everything out of your head and onto paper.

Here’s how it works:

Sit down with a blank sheet of paper (or a digital notepad).
Write down everything in your mind. Don’t filter it, don’t organize it, just dump it.
Once it’s all out, you can then group items, prioritize, and create action steps.

That’s it. It’s deceptively simple, but life is changing.

Why It Works So Well

The human brain isn’t designed to hold and manage dozens of open loops at once. When you try to keep it all in your head, you:

Waste energy constantly reminding yourself not to forget things.
Lose focus because you’re mentally switching between tasks.
Feel stressed, because it always feels like you’re behind.

The Mind Dump List acts like a reset button:

Clarity: You can finally see everything instead of keeping it jumbled in your mind.
Focus: Once it’s on paper, you can identify what truly matters today.
Momentum: You immediately start acting instead of feeling paralyzed.
Peace of Mind: You know nothing is forgotten, so you can relax and execute.

How I Use It in My Daily Life

When I started using Blaine’s Mind Dump method, I noticed instant results.

In business, I was able to break massive projects into smaller, bite-sized steps. Instead of just “renovate property” or “launch campaign,” I had 15-20 concrete tasks I could assign, schedule, or check off. That alone made me 10x more productive.
Personally, it helped me balance being a father, an entrepreneur, and a leader without feeling like I was dropping balls. I could write down “pick up supplies,” “schedule workout,” and “call my son about homework” right next to “review contracts” or “follow up with partners.” Nothing slipped through the cracks.
Mentally, I felt lighter. My stress went down because I wasn’t trying to hold it all in my head.

Why You Should Try It

You don’t need a fancy planner, app, or software to do this. All you need is a pen and a sheet of paper.

Here’s a simple challenge:

Day 1: Take 10 minutes in the morning, dump everything in your head onto paper.
Day 2–7: Repeat the process daily. Don’t skip.
End of Week: Look back at how much you accomplished compared to a “normal” week.

Most people are shocked by the difference. They realize they’ve been holding themselves back simply by trying to manage everything mentally.

The beauty of this habit is that it’s not just about productivity. It’s about freeing up mental energy for what really matters creativity, problem-solving, relationships, and making an impact.

Giving Credit Where It’s Due

So, let me say this clearly: thank you, Blaine Oelkers, for teaching me the Mind Dump List. It’s one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned, and I believe anyone whether you’re a CEO, a parent, or just someone trying to create more balance can benefit from it.

Final Thought

We spend so much time searching for the next big app, the perfect system, or the ultimate productivity hack. Yet sometimes, the most effective solutions are the simplest.

If you’ve never tried a Mind Dump List before, I encourage you to start today. Grab a blank sheet of paper, let it all flow out, and watch how much lighter and more focused you feel.

Clarity leads to execution. And execution is what separates those who dream from those who achieve.