I’ve got loads going on and I don’t know where to start. Let me get it all out, then help me organise it. Ask me questions if anything’s unclear.Collapse prompt
I’ve got loads going on and I don’t know where to start. Let me get it all out, then help me organise it. Ask me questions if anything’s unclear. Wait until I say “that’s everything” before organising it. Then separate my thoughts into things to do, ideas to come back to, and things that need a decision. Keep the details I give you, and flag anything unclear instead of guessing. Use only the deadlines I’ve mentioned. Don’t invent urgency or assume how long a task takes. Ask me about missing deadlines, how much time I have and my energy today before helping me choose up to three realistic next steps. Keep the plan short and easy to scan. Leave the other items in a later list so they don’t get lost. Don’t book, buy, send or change anything for me. Start by inviting me to share my brain dump.
How to turn your brain dump into a plan
1. Open a conversation
Open ChatGPT and start a new conversation. There’s no need for Work mode—ordinary chat is enough for this exercise.
You can use your own words. The copyable prompt above is just a starting point.
2. Get it all out
Copy and send the prompt, then type whatever is on your mind. If your app supports voice input, you can talk it through instead. Tasks, half-formed ideas, things you keep forgetting—it doesn’t need to be tidy. Say “that’s everything” when you’re ready.
Keep private details out. Describe the task without names, passwords or sensitive personal or business information.
3. Check what matters
Read the organised list and correct anything it has misunderstood. Confirm actual deadlines, your available time and your energy. An AI suggestion isn’t proof that something is urgent.
4. Pick a manageable next step
Ask for up to three realistic things to focus on. One is enough if that’s what fits today. Keep everything else in the later list, then choose where you want to start.
What this could look like
An example brain dump
“I’ve got an assignment due Friday, a parcel to return, meals to plan and a business idea I keep forgetting. It’s Tuesday, I have 20 minutes now and I’m low on energy. That’s everything.”
An example organised list
Things to do: work on the assignment, return the parcel, plan meals.
Idea to come back to: the business idea.
Things to clarify: the parcel’s return deadline, what is left on the assignment and how many meals need planning.
The Friday deadline came from the example. The return deadline is still unknown—it needs checking.
A possible next step to review
Check the parcel’s return deadline, then choose one small assignment task that fits the time you have left. Keep meal planning and the business idea on the later list until you decide when they fit. This is an illustration, not a plan for your circumstances.
Keep the conversation going
You can change your mind or ask for a different answer. Try one of these follow-ups in your own words:
That’s too much for today. I have [time available] and my energy is [low / medium / high]. Help me choose one realistic next step and keep everything else in a later list.Collapse prompt
That’s too much for today. I have [time available] and my energy is [low / medium / high]. Help me choose one realistic next step and keep everything else in a later list.
Break the first task into smaller steps. If you need more information to make the steps useful, ask me first.Collapse prompt
Break the first task into smaller steps. If you need more information to make the steps useful, ask me first.
You don’t have to organise every thought before asking for help organising your thoughts ☺️