Why I Do a Daily “Mental Dump”

As a professor, my days are packed—teaching, meetings, research, family, and the dozens of “don’t forget” moments in between.

If I tried to hold all of that in my head, I’d be overwhelmed. Instead, I do something has been called a mental dump.

Nearly every day, I take a few minutes to clear my mind. Everything—ideas, tasks, reminders—goes into my to-do list inbox first. From there, it finds its proper place:

• A task list if it’s actionable

• A notes app (Notion, Evernote, etc.) if it’s reference material

• My calendar if it’s time-based

The result? A clearer head and less stress.

David Allen once said: “Your brain is for having ideas, not for holding them.” He’s right. When I stop relying on my memory to store everything, I create space for creativity and focus.

AI helps too. I often use it to sort through the mess—turning scattered notes into plans or reframing long lists into priorities. It doesn’t replace my thinking, but it helps me organize the noise.

The best part? This whole process only takes a few minutes. But it makes a big difference in how I show up for my work, my students, and my life.

So here’s my encouragement: Try a mental dump. Offload your thoughts. Let your brain do what it’s best at—generating ideas, making connections, solving problems.

You don’t have to carry it all in your head.