Change by CORE: The Planning Method That Helps you go from clutter to clarity

Written By JoHanna Abell

Feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate? You’re not alone, and you’re not broken. Most of us aren’t struggling because we’re unmotivated… we’re struggling because we’re mentally cluttered.

That’s why I created Change by CORE, a simple planning method designed to help you stop overthinking and start following through, without burnout. 

CORE primes your brain to move forward with chasing your dreams.

What Is the CORE Method?

CORE stands for:

  • C – Clear the Mental Clutter

  • O – Organize the Information

  • R – Reprioritize What Matters

  • E – Energize with Action

It’s a 4-step reset ritual you can use weekly (or anytime you feel stuck) to shift from chaos to clarity. Whether you’re trying to manage your schedule, launch a goal, or simply feel more in control, CORE gives you a repeatable system for momentum.

Why It Works

When our minds are overwhelmed, our ability to make decisions suffers. If you are like me, you feel like your thoughts are constant and for every 1 thought you have, 10 more thoughts spawn from the original thought. 

As humans, we have thousands of thoughts a day, and many are repetitive. “ Should I quit my job, should I run a marathon, or should I get a dog (that is always a yes…lol)?” And these thoughts will likely cycle on repeat until you act upon them or decide you are not going to act on them. 

CORE interrupts this mental noise. It helps you:

  • Offload the mental overload

  • Create structure and direction

  • Break through procrastination with micro-action

How to Use It

You can complete a full CORE Reset in about 20 minutes. Here’s how:

Step 1: Clear the Mental Clutter

Grab a notebook or worksheet. Brain dump everything in your head tasks, to-dos, worries, random thoughts. No filter. Just release.

Step 2: Organize the Information

Take that list and categorize it into:
Now, Later, Delegate, Drop.
 This gives your brain instant clarity and helps you focus only on what matters.

Step 3: Reprioritize What Matters

Circle your top 3 priorities. Then ask: If I only did one thing today, what would move me forward the most?

Step 4: Energize with Action

Break that one task into 3 micro-steps. Pair it with a routine or habit (like after coffee), and take the first action now even if it’s tiny

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to change everything all at once you just need a system that helps you respond to life with clarity and power. The CORE method makes that possible.

If you’re ready to stop spiraling and start structuring your life with intention, CORE is your first step.

Want More?

Follow @johanna_abell for strategic planning and new behavior change tools built to help you take back your life. 

Educate|Empower| Enrich 


JoHanna Abell