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To Do Better Work, Use Pen and Paper
Why writing by hand makes you more creative and productive
Did you know that Paul Lauterbur’s first concept for the MRI machine was sketched out on a restaurant napkin? Or that J.K. Rowling initially scribbled down the idea of the Hogwarts houses on the back of an air sickness bag? Quentin Tarantino writes all his screenplays longhand, buying a specific notebook and pen at the start of each project, and Tinder CEO Elie Seidman swears by pen and paper.
It might sound impractical — archaic, even — but if you’re struggling with productivity or creativity, it might be time to grab a pen and paper, and let your brain flow out onto the page. I’ve been using the old-school tools, and sure, they can feel a little clunky. In my notebook, there are crossed-out words, lines, arrows, and mistakes everywhere. My hand cramps up every now and then.
And yet, the simple practice of writing longhand has done wonders for me and my work. It has given me an uncluttered way to connect with my thoughts on an emotional level. It’s also allowed me to study my own thought process — I can see how my ideas and thoughts formed, how I got from A to B. The scribbles, scored-out sentences, and underlined words tell their own story.
