The Finishing Jar: A Gentle Productivity System for Overwhelmed Minds

How I Stop Overwhelm & Track What I Actually Accomplish

By Alicia Anspaugh

So…

There has just been so much stress lately, and that’s why I decided to share a few of the things I personally do to help with productivity and mental overwhelm.

Sometimes I sit down to do something and my brain just goes:

“Blaaarf.”

And before my mind switches to:

“Oh my God, you’re just being lazy!”

—I stop and really look at what’s actually happening.

Usually, I realize:

• I have too many ideas

• too many goals

• too many responsibilities

• and too many unfinished thoughts competing for my brain space all at once

So I started using a two-part system that helps me tremendously.

And honestly?

It has helped me feel far less overwhelmed.

 Part 1: The Parking Lot List

(A wonderful suggestion from a friend of mine—and VERY effective.)

It’s similar to a to-do list, but not quite the same.

You take a notebook and write down:

• long-term goals

• projects

• reminders

• ideas

• responsibilities

• future tasks

• and random “don’t forget this” thoughts

Then you keep that notebook in one designated place near your work area or daily living space.

Whenever your brain starts overflowing, you go write it down.

That’s it.

The point is NOT to immediately do the task.

The point is to give your brain somewhere to put the task.

This changes:

“Everything must be done RIGHT NOW.”

into:

“I know it’s there. I haven’t forgotten it. But I also need to make breakfast, get my kid ready, and survive today without mentally combusting.”

Then later, when you have free time—or feel lost despite having a million things to do—you check the parking lot notebook and see what’s manageable.

Even if nothing gets done at that moment, that’s okay too.

The notebook helps prioritize things instead of letting them stampede through your mind endlessly.

Part 2: The Finishing Jar & Spike Method

This part is my favorite 😄

What You Need:

• A large clear jar

• Colored sticky notes or Post-Its(i use pink because it is the chakra color of self care and this is definitely self care in my book)

• A black pen

• A memo spike / receipt spike / bill fork

• Your parking lot notebook

(I personally use a plastic jar because: kid safety. Honestly, husband safety too sometimes 😆)

Cut a slot in the top of the jar.

Now here’s how it works:

Daily Task Method

Every evening:

• write tomorrow’s date at the top of a sticky note

• then write EVERYTHING you need to do the next day

And I mean everything:

• shower

• breakfast

• groceries

• work

• laundry

• appointments

• phone calls

• whatever matters that day

Cross tasks off as you complete them.

Anything unfinished gets moved to the next day’s sticky note.

Why I Make the List the Night Before

This helps avoid morning chaos.

If I already know what needs done, my brain doesn’t have to “boot up and panic” first thing in the morning.

It’s the same idea as setting out clothes the night before.

Less decision fatigue = more energy.

The Important Part

At the end of the day:

• make sure completed tasks are crossed off

• then place the sticky note onto the memo spike

Now here’s where the jar comes in:

Whenever you complete a larger task from your parking lot notebook:

• write the completed task and date on a sticky note

• place it into the jar

• then cross it off the notebook list

And just keep going.

Month after month.

Year after year if you want.

Why This Helps So Much

Most of us never visually see how much we actually accomplish.

We just see:

• unfinished tasks

• responsibilities

• pressure

• expectations

• and giant hydra-headed to-do mountains

So the brain starts screaming:

“You’ve done NOTHING!”

Even when you’ve actually been working incredibly hard.

The Finishing Jar interrupts that spiral.

It gives you:

• visual proof

• momentum

• structure

• encouragement

• and perspective

Over time, the jar fills with evidence that:

you ARE moving forward.

Even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Final Thought

Honestly?

Sometimes we are far harder on ourselves than reality actually warrants.

The Finishing Jar helps make your effort visible.

And that matters more than people realize.

It also helps you understand just how awesome you really are 😄

Every answer begins with a question

Alicia Anspaugh

#Productivity

#MentalWellness

#OrganizationTips

#Overwhelmed

#GentleProductivity

#SelfCare

#CreativeMind

#ADHDTools

#StressRelief

#PracticalPerspectives

#MindsetShift

#LifeOrganization

#BurnoutRecovery

#CreativeRoutine