MINDSTORM!
Despite what it may sound like, mindstorming is actually not a dark, telekinetic power attack. It is similar to brainstorming, but it works backwards and has better focus. Mindstorming first identifies a goal, and then breaks it down into smaller steps and systems which will move you towards that goal.
Mindstorming is best used for long-term planning. Identify what it is you want to be or do 5, 10, or 30 years from now, then find the most important step towards that goal. Next, within that step, find the most important substep, and so on. Apply the 80/20 Rule to do the 20% of the 20% of the 20% most important objectives.
For daily mindstorming, sit down and start listing 10-20 of the most important and productive things you could do that day. As the list goes on, ideas come more slowly, but the last few ideas can often be the best. Once you have a good list, compare the ideas with your big picture mindstorm. Try to rank them; the order doesn’t really matter so much as identifying the critical few.
I mindstorm before every tasklist, because it helps me to maximize the output of my labor. Numerous things influence my prioritization, especially pertinence, opportunity cost, and deadlines.
Firstly, how pertinent is the task for realizing my big picture goals? The second item on my list today was investigating a networking opportunity in DC through Penn State, because that connects very well to my political goals. In contrast, practicing the saxophone is on the backburner, mainly done for the mental benefits and for pleasure.
Secondly, what is the opportunity cost of the task? If it is beneficial but takes twice as long as an equally valuable task, then it gets ranked lower. I have cut my workout time from two hours daily to 75 minutes or less. This helped me fit more clubs into my schedule.
Thirdly, what is the real deadline for the task? This passion blog is not due for six days, but my Econ midterm is in three, so this task was lower priority today (but if I had waited four days, it would have risen on the list).
Do not think that mindstorming lays out a perfect lifelong plan. The value of systems versus goals is another topic; it is enough that mindstorming can help you to prepare for your future and also maximize the results of your hard work every day.
Go forth and conquer!
I’ve never really heard of mind storming so this was a very interesting read. I like how you connected this concept back to the 80/20 Rule of your previous post. Although I’ve never heard of mindstorming, I can say I’ve done it “mindlessly” over the past couple of years. I always like to list out the things I need to do and see which ones I should prioritize first and so on. This has been especially important for reaching deadlines on time and not procrastinating work that needs to be done. I did not know this was an actual thing, so thank you for putting it into words.