The Art of Execution III: When Your Brain Turns into the Rainbow Wheel of Death
THE RAINBOW WHEEL OF DEATH, BUT FOR YOUR BRAIN…
When your mind is preoccupied with unresolved matters, it continues to work on them.
Chewing on a thought to solve a problem … Great. Do it.
But holding onto a thought to act as a mental sticky note … not so helpful.
This recursive thinking has been proven to reduce your ability to think and perform effectively. There is a limit to how much unresolved information your mind can hold before it becomes overwhelmed.
The short-term memory functions similarly to random-access memory (RAM) in a computer. It stores incomplete, undecided, and unorganized information. Your conscious mind, like a computer screen, is a tool for focusing rather than storage. It can only handle a few things at a time.
Similar to RAM, our brains have a limited capacity for storage. If you have too many unresolved issues taking up power from your "RAM" because you haven't processed them from your mind to your system, your brain's performance will suffer. Many people go through life with their short-term memory overloaded, constantly distracted, and experiencing decreased focus and performance.
You’ve heard of the rainbow wheel of death on a computer... that’s what’s happening with your brain.
it’s RAM overload.
THE CAPTURE HABIT: OUTSOURCE YOUR THOUGHTS TO YOUR DEVICES
So what can you do?
To ensure that unresolved information is properly managed, it’s critical to outsource the thoughts from your mind into a system that you trust.
Today, I want to show you a set of my favorite ways to see how easy and versatile it is to quickly capture your thoughts and have them sent to your inbox.
THINGS 3 ON iPHONE
The Action Button.
Apple released The Action Button on the new iPhone 15’s. One of my favorite parts about it, is the ability to program shortcuts, like adding something to your inbox.
Lockscreen Widgets.
That “+” icon…. That’s Things 3. If I click on that, it can add a task immediately to the inbox.
Siri.
Open Things 3 and Click On Inbox.
THINGS 3 ON APPLE WATCH
“New To-Do” Complication.
Very similar to the iPhone’s Lockscreen widget
Siri
THINGS 3 ON MAC
Desktop Widgets.
The “Quick Entry” Keyboard Shortcut.
If Things 3 is open on your Mac, you can program a keyboard shortcut to display a pop-up window that will allow you to insert a task to your inbox. This allows you to quickly enter your item and then return to work. It's oddly satisfying.
ACTION STEP
I use all of these methods regularly.
I don't have a specific preference; I choose whatever is most convenient at the moment.
I utilize Siri while driving.
I am able to use the Apple Watch in the shower.
And I primarily use my computer at work.
Getting thoughts into your inbox can be as versatile as you are. The important step is to develop the habit of adding things to Things.
See you tomorrow.
Hunter
About Hunter Wilson
Hey! I'm Hunter, the Co-Founder and CEO of Ready Set Grow. Subscribe below to follow my thinking on business, productivity, leadership, and whatever else is on my mind. Thank you for visiting and reading.
