01 · all the things

All the Things

Get everything out of your head, then sort it into what actually needs your attention.

What it is

When your brain is carrying too much, the first step is not to prioritize. It is to unload.

All the Things gives you one place to put every task, thought, reminder, worry, idea, question, and loose end taking up space in your mind. It does not need to be organized. It does not need to be complete. It just needs to leave your head.

Once it is out, you can sort each item into one of six buckets: Do, Decide, Remember, Worry, Ask, or Park.

The point is not to make the perfect list. The point is to stop treating every thought like it belongs in the same pile.

How to use it

Five small steps.

  1. 1Write down everything on your mind.
  2. 2Do not edit while you dump.
  3. 3Sort each item into the bucket that best fits.
  4. 4Look for what actually needs action now.
  5. 5Move only the right things forward.
The six buckets

The whole operating system.

Do

A clear task you can act on next. The next step does not require a major decision.

put it here when you already know what needs to happen.

Pay electric billEmail SarahMove laundryOrder printer ink
Decide

A choice that needs a decision before it can move forward.

put it here when the real task is making the call.

Choose a supplierPick a priceSay yes to a meeting?Which project first?
Remember

Information you need to keep track of for later. No action required right now.

put it here when you just need your brain to stop holding it.

Library books FridayMin order is 100Use Times New RomanAppt at 3:30
Worry

A concern that needs calming, clarifying, or containment. Emotional weight, no clear next action yet.

put it here when your brain keeps circling it.

What if the launch flops?I'm behind on everythingThe budget feels tightDid I miss something?
Ask

Something you need from someone else. Progress depends on outside input.

put it here when the next move is a question, request, or handoff.

Ask accountantAsk teacher re: formAsk supplier for quoteAsk team to review
Park

Something to save for later, not act on now. Valid, just not for today.

put it here when it matters, just not today.

Podcast ideaRedesign packagingSpain tripNew app feature
Helpful reminder
you do not need to do everything you wrote down. some things need action. some need a decision. some need to be remembered. some need reassurance. some need someone else. some just need a safe place to wait. that is the whole point.
Start an All the Things dump →