Our minds are busy places, filled with different kinds of thoughts that shape our actions and feelings throughout the day. Learning to recognize these thought types can help you manage them better—and in turn, make your daily routine smoother. In this article, I share my experience and practical tips on identifying and categorizing the five types of thoughts, a crucial step toward getting organized with the DOR Technique.

Introduction

Have you ever wondered why some ideas seem to stick while others vanish into thin air? Over the years, I realized that not all thoughts are created equal. Some are memories of what has been, some are visions of what could be, and yet others are everyday practical reminders. By mapping these thoughts, I found it easier to know when to act immediately, when to file an idea for later, and when to simply let a fleeting moment pass. This article will help you understand the five types of thoughts and guide you in developing your own system for capturing and categorizing them.

The Five Types of Thoughts

Through trial and error, I discovered that our minds tend to generate five distinct types of thoughts. Each type plays a unique role in our lives:

1. Memories of the Past

These thoughts are like snapshots of previous events. They include recollections of experiences, lessons learned, or even nostalgia for moments that made you feel good. For me, memories serve as both a reminder of what has worked and a lesson for what to do differently next time.

Practical Tip:
When a memory pops up—perhaps triggered by a familiar scent or a piece of music—take a moment to jot it down. Over time, you can look back at these notes to recognize patterns that may help inform your future decisions.

2. Visions of the Future

These are your plans, dreams, and ideas about what lies ahead. They might include goals, projects you want to start, or even simple hopes for your day. I’ve often found that a clear vision of the future acts as a motivational boost.

Practical Tip:
Create a dedicated section in your note-taking app or journal for future ideas. This way, whenever you feel inspired, you can quickly capture that vision without losing the thread of your thought.

3. Present Emotions

Not all thoughts are about tasks or ideas—they can also be your immediate feelings. These include emotions like excitement, frustration, or contentment that you experience in the moment. Recognizing these thoughts can help you understand your emotional triggers better.

Practical Tip:
Try to identify and label your emotions as they arise. For example, if you feel stressed during a busy morning, write down what might be causing it. Over time, you’ll notice trends that can help you manage stress more effectively.

4. Practical Tasks

These are the day-to-day items that need to be done, like a reminder to pick up groceries or a note to return a phone call. Practical tasks are essential, and missing them can lead to unnecessary stress or missed opportunities.

Practical Tip:
Keep a simple checklist or to-do list that you update throughout the day. I recommend having a quick-access method (such as a note on your phone) so you can add tasks as soon as they come to mind.

5. Inspirational Ideas

These are the creative sparks that can lead to exciting projects or personal growth. They might come as a sudden insight during a quiet moment or a burst of creativity when you’re least expecting it. I’ve learned that these ideas, though sometimes fleeting, can be the starting point for meaningful change if you capture them right away.

Practical Tip:
Whenever you have an inspirational thought, try to add a few details around it. Ask yourself: What excited me about this idea? How might I develop it further? Even if it seems vague at first, these notes can evolve into something more concrete over time.

How to Map Your Mind

Mapping your mind means recognizing these types of thoughts and assigning each one a place in your daily system. Here’s how I put it into practice:

Create a Simple Framework

Start by dividing your note-taking space into sections for each type of thought. You might use digital tools that allow you to tag entries (for example, using tags like “memory,” “future,” “emotion,” “task,” and “inspiration”) or set up separate pages in a notebook.

For me, the initial challenge was to develop a habit of not only writing down a thought but also quickly tagging it with its type. At first, it felt a bit forced, but over time it became second nature. This framework helps in later stages—when you review your notes, you already know what category each thought belongs to.

Establish a Daily Routine

I set aside a few minutes each day to review the notes I captured. During these review sessions, I reflect on each entry and decide on the next step:

• For memories: I note if there’s a lesson or recurring theme.
• For future visions: I consider what steps I might take to make them a reality.
• For present emotions: I think about what triggered them and whether there’s an underlying issue to address.
• For practical tasks: I prioritize and schedule them.
• For inspirational ideas: I expand on them, even if it’s just a few bullet points outlining the next step.

This daily review not only keeps me organized but also deepens my self-awareness.

Use Reminders and Alarms

Even with a robust system, the risk of forgetting is real. I rely on reminders to revisit my categorized notes. For example, I set a reminder each evening to review “inspirational ideas” and decide if I can develop any of them further. This step is part of the Recall phase of the DOR Technique.

Benefits of Mapping Your Mind

Since adopting this approach, I’ve noticed several benefits:

• Clarity: Understanding what type of thought is occupying your mind makes it easier to decide how to handle it.
• Better Prioritization: When you know that a thought is a practical task, you’re more likely to schedule it and follow through.
• Emotional Insight: Recognizing patterns in your emotions can help you manage stress and improve your overall mood.
• Increased Creativity: By having a dedicated space for inspirational ideas, I’ve been able to build on those moments of creativity rather than letting them pass by.
• Overall Productivity: With a clear map of your thoughts, you spend less time worrying about what you might have forgotten and more time acting on your priorities.

Real-Life Examples

Let me share a couple of real-life scenarios to illustrate the process:

A Busy Morning

One hectic morning, while rushing to get ready for work, I experienced a mix of emotions. I was anxious about an upcoming meeting (present emotion), remembered that I needed to call a client (practical task), and suddenly recalled an inspiring idea for a project (inspirational idea). Instead of trying to hold all these thoughts at once, I quickly opened my note-taking app. I wrote down the client call and tagged it as a task, then jotted a few lines about the project idea under inspirational ideas, and finally noted my feeling of anxiety along with a brief description of the trigger.

Later that day, during my review session, I revisited these notes. The task was scheduled and completed, the idea was expanded with additional details, and I even realized that my anxiety was connected to recurring meeting stress. By mapping my mind that morning, I managed to handle each thought effectively without feeling overwhelmed.

An Evening of Reflection

On a quieter evening, I sat down to review the day’s notes. I noticed that many of the memories I had recorded were about positive moments—small wins, kind interactions, and personal achievements. These entries reminded me to appreciate the little things. At the same time, several future visions popped up that related to long-term goals I had set aside. I took the opportunity to outline some actionable steps to turn those visions into plans.

This reflective process helped me see the bigger picture. It wasn’t just about managing tasks; it was about understanding the nuances of my own mind. I learned which types of thoughts gave me energy and which ones drained me. With this insight, I adjusted my routines and even started setting aside more time for creative thinking.

Tips for Success

If you’re ready to try mapping your mind, here are some practical tips that helped me along the way:

1. Keep It Simple: Start with basic categories. You can always add more detail later if needed.
2. Be Consistent: The effectiveness of this system depends on consistency. Even on busy days, make an effort to jot down your thoughts.
3. Review Regularly: Set a daily or weekly review session to sort through your notes. This habit helps reinforce the system.
4. Stay Flexible: Your mind is dynamic. Don’t worry if your categories need adjusting over time. The key is to have a system that works for you.
5. Use Technology: Leverage note-taking apps that allow tagging or categorizing. Many of these tools also sync across devices, making it easier to capture thoughts on the go.
6. Reflect on Patterns: Over time, look back at your notes. You might discover recurring themes or triggers that can inform better habits or decision-making.
7. Balance Is Key: Not every thought needs to be acted on immediately. Learn to distinguish between what’s urgent and what can be revisited later.

Final Thoughts

Mapping your mind is more than just a productivity hack—it’s a way to understand yourself better. By categorizing your thoughts into memories, future visions, present emotions, practical tasks, and inspirational ideas, you create a clear picture of what’s happening inside your head. This process not only reduces the stress of trying to remember everything but also provides valuable insights into your own behavior and priorities.

Since I started mapping my thoughts, I’ve felt more in control of my day. I no longer spend hours trying to recall a missed idea or a forgotten task. Instead, I trust that my notes are there, organized by type, ready for me to review and act upon. The process has helped me balance the practical with the creative, turning a once chaotic mind into a well-organized workspace.

I encourage you to try this approach. It may take a few days to adjust to the habit, but the benefits—clarity, better prioritization, and increased creativity—are well worth the effort. Your mind is a powerful tool; mapping it can unlock potential you never knew you had.