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Getting Things Done

Ep. 233: The Value of Writing Things Down

Nov 15, 2023
Jukka Backman, a GTD trainer and managing director for GTD in Finland, discusses the transformative power of writing things down. He highlights the effectiveness of worry lists in managing anxiety and decluttering the mind. Jukka explains how reframing goals in the past tense can open up new possibilities and actionable steps. The mind sweep technique is also explored for achieving clarity, while gratitude journaling shifts focus toward positivity, promoting overall well-being and emotional clarity.
38:18

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Writing things down externalizes worries, reduces anxiety, and enables more focused thinking.
  • Gratitude journaling promotes positive thinking, awareness of the present moment, and cultivates a grateful mindset.

Deep dives

The Power of Writing Things Down

Writing things down has a definite power as it externalizes the worries and anxieties from the mind. By creating a worry list, the individual can capture their concerns and park them for later review. This process helps in reducing anxiety and allows for more presence in supporting others. Additionally, the practice of writing things down, such as in a mind sweep, can help in capturing ideas and thoughts, leading to more productive and focused thinking. By separating the capturing phase from the clarifying phase, individuals can avoid overwhelming their to-do lists and gain clarity on which ideas truly require action.

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