**Created**:: [[2023-03-11 Saturday]] **Link**:: https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU **Duration**:: 4:18 ![Dump, Lump, Jump: The Ultimate Visual Thinking Tool for Turning Ideas into Action](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU) # Summary In this video, the speaker introduces the "Dump, Lump, Jump" method, a visual thinking tool designed to help individuals organize their ideas and turn them into actionable steps. By breaking down the process into three phases—dumping all ideas onto paper, categorizing them into groups, and prioritizing actions—the speaker demonstrates how this approach can alleviate overwhelm and enhance focus. The video includes a practical example of planning a trip to Japan, emphasizing the usefulness of visual techniques in personal productivity. # Key Takeaways - The "Dump, Lump, Jump" method helps to organize thoughts and prioritize tasks for better focus and action. - The three steps include dumping ideas onto paper, grouping them into categories, and prioritizing actions based on urgency. - Tools like mind mapping apps, Post-it notes, or specific plugins (like Excalibur in Obsidian) can be used to facilitate the process, but the method itself is more important than the tools. # Content Hey everyone, welcome to my channel! [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=0) I am super excited to share with you today a powerful tool that has helped me turn my ideas into action countless times. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=3) This method is also perfect for when you find yourself struggling to focus on your goals, when your inbox, agenda, desk, or mind are overflowing with stuff. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=6) I use this method regularly to refocus on my priorities and plan the next steps for achieving my goals. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=9) I've been using this method for over 15 years, but I never had a good name for it until my friend Aidan Helfand gave it the catchy name "Dump, Lump, Jump" when we were talking about visual thinking on his podcast. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=13) Be sure to check out the link to the podcast episode in the description below. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=16) In this video, I'm going to walk you through the three-step process and show you how it works by planning an imaginary trip to Japan. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=19) The first step is "Dump." [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=22) "Dump" refers to clearing your inbox, agenda, desk, or mind of clutter. It's where you get all your ideas out of your head and onto paper. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=25) For my Japan trip, I'm dumping all my ideas about booking flights, places to visit, accommodation, things to do, questions to answer, and concerns to address. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=28) There are plenty of tools you can use to do this, such as mind mapping apps, Post-it notes, or the Excalibur plugin in Obsidian that I'm using today. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=32) What's important is the process, not the tool you use to make it happen. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=34) Next, we move on to the second step, "Lump." [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=37) This is where we group our ideas into categories or lumps by labeling themes that emerge out of our brain dump. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=39) They can help ourselves see the bigger picture. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=42) For my Japan trip, I created four groups: pre-trip planning, destination planning, culture and customs, and finally, logistics. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=47) Grouping my ideas into logical clusters gave me a lot of clarity about what I need to focus on. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=50) The real magic happens in the final step, "Jump," when we move from thinking to action. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=34) Before we talk about that, I want to quickly remind you about the visual thinking workshop cohort 3 starting on the 25th of March. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=150) This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about visual thinking and improve your skills. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=159) Check out the link in the video description to register for the workshop. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=165) Now, back to "Jump." [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=168) This is where we prioritize our actions based on urgency and interdependency. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=171) I typically label my to-do items into three categories: do now, do soon, and do later. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=174) This step helps me focus on what needs to be done first and identify dependencies between tasks. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=179) In this example, I’m using colors to label actions, but you can also add dates to your Post-it notes or organize Post-its into a Gantt chart-like schedule or any other method that works for you. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=182) The goal is to identify the most important and urgent next steps you need to take to achieve your goal. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=185) So, there you have it: "Dump, Lump, Jump," a powerful visual thinking tool that can help you turn your ideas into action. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=189) I hope this video has piqued your interest and you're excited to try this in practice. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=196) In fact, I recommend that you take a few minutes right now and give this approach a try. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=203) Thanks for watching, and if you enjoyed this video, please hit like and press that subscribe button so you don't miss my next one. [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=217) See you soon! [* ](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=222) # YouTube Details ## YouTube Description Sign up for the Visual Thinking Workshop: https://www.visual-thinking-workshop.com/ The podcast episode: https://tinyurl.com/2rudz45z Watch next - Make Smarter Decisions: https://youtu.be/cxjUat86Hyk In this video, I introduce the Dump, Lump, Jump method, a powerful visual thinking tool that can help you turn your ideas into action. This three-step process involves dumping all your ideas onto paper, lumping them into categories, and prioritizing actions based on urgency and interdependency. Using an imaginary trip to Japan as an example, I show you how to use this method and how it can help you refocus on your priorities and achieve your goals. ----- [00:00](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=0) Intro [01:07](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=67) Dump [01:52](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=112) Lump [02:59](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=179) Jump [03:44](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=224) Closeout ----- If you find my videos helpful, please say thanks by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/zsolt If you want to connect, you can reach me (@zsviczian) in the Obsidian Members Group (OMG) on Discord or on Twitter. ----- Obsidian-Excalidraw Plugin: https://github.com/zsviczian/obsidian-excalidraw-plugin Obsidian: https://obsidian.md My blog: https://zsolt.blog ## YouTube Transcript [hey everyone welcome to my channel](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=0) [I am super excited to share with you](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=3) [today a powerful tool that has helped me](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=6) [turn my ideas into action countless](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=9) [times](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=12) [this method is also perfect for when you](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=13) [find yourself struggling to focus on](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=16) [your goals when your inbox agenda desk](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=19) [or mind are overflowing with stuff](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=22) [I use this method regularly to refocus](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=25) [on my priorities and plan the next steps](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=28) [for achieving my goals](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=32) [I've been using this method for over 15](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=34) [years but I never had a good name for it](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=37) [until my friend Aidan helfand gave it](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=39) [the catchy name dump lump jump when we](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=42) [were talking about visual thinking on](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=47) [his podcast](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=49) [be sure to check out the link to the](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=50) [podcast episode in the description below](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=53) [in this video I'm going to walk you](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=57) [through the three-step process and show](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=59) [you how it works by planning an](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=62) [imaginary trip to Japan](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=65) [the first step is dump](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=68) [federates your inbox your agenda your](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=71) [desk or your mind that's cluttered dump](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=74) [is where you get all your ideas out of](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=77) [your head and onto paper](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=80) [for my Japan trip I'm dumping all my](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=82) [ideas about booking flights places to](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=85) [visit](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=88) [accommodation things to do questions to](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=89) [answer and concerns to address](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=92) [there are plenty of tools you can use to](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=95) [do this such as mind mapping apps](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=97) [Post-it notes or the Excalibur plugin in](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=100) [obsidian that I'm using today](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=103) [what's important is the process not the](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=106) [tool you use to make it happen](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=110) [next we move on to the second step lump](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=113) [this is where we group our ideas into](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=116) [categories or lumps](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=119) [by labeling themes that emerge out of](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=122) [our brain dump they can help ourselves](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=125) [see the bigger picture](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=128) [for my Japan trip I created four groups](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=131) [pre-trip planning Destination Planning](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=134) [culture and customs and finally](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=137) [Logistics](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=139) [grouping my ideas into logical clusters](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=141) [gave me a lot of clarity about what I](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=144) [need to focus on](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=147) [the real magic happens in the final step](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=149) [jump when we move from thinking to](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=152) [action](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=156) [but before we talk about that I want to](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=157) [quickly remind you about the visual](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=159) [thinking Workshop cohorts 3 starting on](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=161) [the 25th of March this is a fantastic](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=165) [opportunity to learn more about visual](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=168) [thinking and improve your skills](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=171) [check out the link in the video](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=174) [description to register for the workshop](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=175) [now back to jump this is where we](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=179) [prioritize our actions based on urgency](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=182) [and interdependency I typically label my](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=185) [to-do items into three categories do now](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=189) [do soon and do later this step helps me](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=192) [focus on what needs to be done first and](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=196) [identify dependencies between tasks in](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=199) [this example I'm using colors to label](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=203) [actions but you can also add dates to](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=205) [your Post-it notes or organize Post-its](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=208) [into a Gantt chart like schedule or any](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=211) [other method that works for you the goal](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=214) [is to identify the most important and](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=217) [Urgent next steps you need to take to](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=220) [achieve your goal](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=222) [so there you have it dump lump jump a](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=224) [powerful visual thinking tool that can](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=228) [help you turn your ideas into action](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=231) [I hope this video has piqued your](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=234) [interest and you're excited to try this](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=236) [in practice in fact I recommend that you](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=239) [take a few minutes right now and give](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=242) [this approach a try](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=244) [thanks for watching and if you enjoyed](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=246) [this video please hit like and press](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=249) [that subscribe button so you don't miss](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=252) [my next one](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=254) [see you soon](https://youtu.be/tZcfupm5vKU?t=255)