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1-2-3: The “Thought Parking” Trick That Frees Up Mental Space
sent by Joaquín Kosegarten | August 26, 2025
Every second counts, so let’s get right to it. 1 idea, 2 ways it saves you time, and 3 steps to Get It Done:
1 Idea
When a random thought pops into your head mid-task, don’t chase it — park it.
2 Ways it saves you time
1. Preserves focus in the moment – Writing down off-topic thoughts prevents you from mentally switching tasks, which can cost over 20 minutes of lost focus each time.
2. Clears mental clutter – “Open loops” in your head drain your attention. Parking them creates space to think clearly and work faster.
3 Steps to Get It Done:
1. Keep a “thought parking lot” nearby – This can be a sticky note, a margin in your notebook, or a whiteboard.
2. Write down random thoughts instantly – Capture the thoughts with just enough detail to come back to it later. Then return to what you were doing.
3. Review once a day – Pick a set time (e.g., end of workday) to decide what gets actioned, ignored, or scheduled.
Conclusion
Your brain’s a creative machine, not a filing cabinet. Stop trying to hold it all and start parking distractions before they derail your day.
“But won’t I forget about it later?”
That’s the point, you want to forget it for now. You’ll come back to it at the right time. Parking a thought doesn’t mean losing it — it means freeing up your focus.
As promised — 1 minute that can save you hours
Yours in Getting It Done,
Joaquin Kosegarten
Author of Get It Done
Creator of the 1-2-3 Get It Done Newsletter
P.S. I started parking random thoughts during work. My list now includes: “buy batteries,” “email John,” and “can penguins get sunburn?” Productivity is up. Sanity… debatable.
What else am I working on?
Learn the full system I use to help top performers stay focused, energised, and in control — without letting their calendar run the show. Find it on Amazon!
Focus: The "Thought Parking" Trick that helps you focus
About the Newsletter
1-2-3 Get It Done is a weekly 1-minute read trusted by busy professionals who want to achieve more in less time without burning out.
Each issue gives you 1 idea, 2 ways it saves you time, and 3 steps to put it into action immediately.