How To Organize Your Thoughts

There I was, sitting at my cluttered desk… (not an actual picture of my desk btw.)

Papers scattered everywhere…

Feeling overwhelmed.

My mind was just as messy.

I couldn't seem to focus or organize my thoughts. In that slight moment of chaos, I remembered…

I watched a documentary years ago about a disabled man from Ghana.

He had one good leg and one disabled, yet his determination was unwavering.

When asked about his priorities, he responded,

“I want to help provide independence, mobility, and sports for the disabled in Ghana.”

In just a few words, he communicated his vision effectively.

This man's clarity in sharing his thoughts stuck with me…

The Power of Organized Thoughts

His story made me think about the importance of structure in communication.

A messy stream of thoughts can make your message difficult to follow.

Organizing your thoughts into clear points not only makes you more concise…

But also adds clarity and confidence to your message.

How to Organize Your Thoughts Easily

Tip 1: Break It Down

Start by breaking your message into two or three main points.

Imagine you’re having a conversation about getting healthy. 

You could organize your thoughts into diet, exercise, and accountability.

For instance, under diet, you might discuss counting calories. 

For exercise, you could talk about different workout routines.

And under accountability, you might explain the benefits of having a workout buddy.

I remembered a time when I was preparing for a major presentation…

By breaking down my points into clear sections, I not only felt more confident…

But also received positive feedback for the clarity of my message.

Tip 2: Use Logical Patterns

Organize your main points into a logical pattern. Here are three frameworks for you:

• Before and after 

• Problem and solution

• Steps in a sequence

Say your boss asks you about a project's progress.

A typical response might be, “Yeah, it’s going good.” 

This doesn’t give your boss any context or insight into the project.

You could say (using the problem and solution framework),

“Initially, we had several challenges with the software integration (problem). However, we revised our approach, implemented new protocols, and now the integration is running smoothly (solution).”

See the difference?

This way, each section of your update is clear and focused, making it easier for your boss to understand the progress and impact.

Tip 3: State Your Roadmap

Once you have your structure, share it upfront. 

A doctor might say, “Let’s talk about symptoms and then treatments.” 

As you discuss each point, remind your listeners where you are…

“Now, let’s turn to your treatment options.”

This keeps the conversation on track and helps listeners follow along.

Sometimes, I use mind maps to visually organize my thoughts, making it easier to see the connections and structure my message.

The Freedom in Structure

Structure might seem restrictive, but it actually provides freedom…

It eliminates tangents, allowing you to dive deeper into relevant details.

Even long stories gain cohesion.

For instance, a five-minute disorganized story feels endless…

But a well-structured one with a clear beginning, middle, and end feels just right.

By focusing on high-value information, you make every sentence count.

Albert Einstein once said, “If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.” 

This underscores the importance of clear and organized communication.

A common pitfall is trying to include too much information in one point. 

Stick to the essentials and expand only if necessary.

Putting It into Practice

Use this approach in your upcoming conversations, meetings, and presentations.

Try this quick exercise: Take a complex idea and break it down into three main points. Then, structure these points using one of the logical patterns discussed.

Remember, great communication isn’t just about what you say, but HOW you say it. 

Start using structure to your advantage and you’ll find your communication clearer, more concise, and more confident.