Is your handwriting a bit rusty? Recently I've re-discovered the power of the pen to unleash deeper thinking...

 

From the beginning of our lifelong learning journey (who else had a vocabulary book at primary school, in which to write down unfamiliar words to spell or define?), we are encouraged to write down what we learn.

 

Barefoot Coaching, the accredited coach training provider that I qualified with, kicked off my course with a handwritten intention-setting exercise. They explained that:

 

• Putting your thoughts in writing engages you in a creative process which allows you to clarify your thoughts and explore new ways of thinking about situations and experiences more deeply and objectively.

 

Although many of us are now used to capturing words electronically, studies have shown that using handwriting increases neural activity, and taps into deeper mental processing capability than typing. (If you’re interested in the detail, a good place to start on the science is the links within this article in The Conversation.)

 

Years of project management experience have developed in me a habit of rough scribbled to-do lists or mind-maps of things to consider. Obviously, digital tools are essential to daily life as a project manager, but I find they are complemented by writing. Putting pen to paper brings out feelings and thoughts, leading to considerations around the people side of change, risk analysis etc.

 

Another example of the power of writing came when I facilitated a book club meeting recently with fellow coaches. A couple of insightful comments from my peers developed even further in the process of capturing them in writing afterwards.

 

It helps to have a notebook you are inspired to pick up and write in. I love these ones (below), picked up in the clearance aisle of the supermarket!

 

So writing not only records your thoughts in the moment, but the act of writing further develops that thought process.

That’s why coaching clients are encouraged to keep a notebook for thoughts that arise during and between sessions. Coaching isn’t just about what’s discussed in the meeting; it’s about how that thinking develops afterwards. One of my clients described coaching sessions as:

 

• “planting seeds of thinking that can germinate and grow”

 

Writing will support this process of growth. Think of it as watering those seeds of thinking!

 

How do you use handwriting day to day? Could you make use of it to unlock deeper thinking?