We think on a continuous basis about a variety of matters – consciously and unconsciously.
With everything going on in the world, in our professional and personal lives, it can sometimes be hard to fully collect our thoughts and wrap our minds around anything. One of the greatest things I have learned is to “always think on paper”.
“Thinking on paper” clarifies thought. I have to say that once I started writing down my daily goals and agenda and then stuck to it — I got infinitely more accomplished.
My general rule for prioritizing my day is to tackle the most important thing first and then go from there. When you start thinking on paper, you’ll be amazed at what you can get accomplished in just one day. You are actively freeing your mind of having to remember little things like your phone call at 2 PM or your coffee meeting at 4 PM because it’s all written out right in front of you.
Thinking on paper’ is extremely important because it helps get the thoughts out of your head and onto paper.
However, “Thinking on paper” is not limited to setting daily goals and agenda.
“Think on paper” is a technique that can be used when a task seems difficult, when you feel stuck, or when the topic is important, and you want to do your best thinking. The “One-Minute Rule” suggests that if you have spent one minute in indecision, puzzlement, conflict, or any other thinking quandary, then “thinking on paper” is warranted.
Writing down your thoughts or tasks can help you get organized, set priorities, and focus on high-value tasks. Writing down habits or intentions can also help keep them in perspective and increase the chances of success. “Thinking on paper” can boost productivity by helping you focus on the task at hand.
“Think on paper” method can be utilized in many areas of our day to day personal and professional life.
When to think on Paper
- To set goals – Daily, weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly, Five yearly.
- To make plans – Daily, weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly, Five yearly.
- To solve problem – Put all data on paper related to problem to solve it.
- To take decision – Put all options on paper with required details to take decision.
- To generate ideas
- To make financial plan
- To make a To Do list.
- To register ideas as and when it comes – Keep mind free.
- To do budgeting – How money is coming in and going out.
- To make journal – It is not a diary. May be a part diary where you jot down important events, your accomplishment, important person you meet, important events about your life, new habit implemented, book read, new skills developed, lesson learnt, important decision taken etc. Nutshell you register events which are special for your life.
- To make calendar – Reminder, Time blocking, Organize your time for personal and professional life.
Advantage of Thinking on paper
Thinking on paper is one of the most important things you can do daily. Once it becomes part of your regular routine, I know you will see incredible results for your effort.
- Writing things on paper sets a strong intention.
- Help to organize. To decide priorities when many tasks are on hand.
- Having a written plan will help you get things done!
- Give big picture.
- Faster and better problem solving and decision making.
- Synthesize important issues, highlight critical points, and figure out the best way forward.
- Increase focus.
- Give clarity. Improve thinking pattern, bring more thoughts/ideas to the table.
- Bring emotions on paper. Reduce anxiety.
- Registering thoughts on paper will make the mind clutter free.
- Improve visualization.
- Improve creativity.
- Freeze thinking.
- Improve communication and negotiation skills.
- have a written record that you can refer to in the future.
- Feel good, feel safe, as you put all on paper.