Fragmentation: the process or state of breaking or being broken into fragments.

Defragment: to reduce the fragmentation of (a file) by linking parts stored in separate locations on a disk.

Please bear with me will I explain…

In the world of computers, defragmentation is the process of consolidating fragmented files on the user's hard drive. Files become fragmented when data is written to disk and there is not enough contiguous space to hold the complete file. Storage algorithms break the data apart so that it will fit into the available space.

The process of defragmentation moves the data blocks on the hard drive around to bring all the parts of a file together. Defragmentation reduces file system fragmentation, increasing the efficiency of data retrieval and thereby improving the overall performance of a computer. At the same time, it cleans the storage and provides additional storage capacity. (Techopedia)

Similarly, in the brain, we get loads of fragmented data because of all the sensory inputs the brain receives every second, and because of the massive shifts in emotions we feel on a daily basis. This makes your brain feel full, slows your processing speed down and generally depresses the system.

In the world of humans, with all of our ideas, decisions and emotions, we can also 'defrag', and here’s how:

1. Use an exam pad/notebook, or anything else you will write in and keep for reference.
2. Set a timer for 30 minutes.
3. Make sure that you will not be interrupted. Turn off your phone, your TV, your computer.
4. Perhaps even set the mood by lighting a candle, burning incense and playing soft music in the background. Silence is also fine.
5. Start writing and no matter what you do, do not stop writing until the time is up.
6. Write out whatever is on your mind - and keep writing as you think.
7. In the beginning, you may not know what to write so simply write – “I do not know what to write”. You may write this out a few times but at some point, you will start to write at the same speed as you are thinking.
8. Once you have completed the time, read through what you have written. The majority of what is on your page might mean nothing, however, there will be important learnings that stand out – use a different colour pen to circle or highlight those.
9. Write down the top 3 to 5 learnings. If they are actionable, you might even have written the solutions. Take note – and act!
10. Do this every 3 to 6 months.

“Find your mind that flows!”