The more I use this system, the more I realize it relies on a couple of basic principles:
The fastest solution is not necessarily the best solution. When it comes to thinking, the slower pace of analog tools forces me to slow down. In addition to helping me feel less frantic, this also helps me focus on the right things.
Note-taking for connected thought is a game-changer. You don’t have to use Roam necessarily (Obsidian is another promising app that uses plain text files), but being able to connect your notes and ideas is a creative superpower. The more I build out my collection of connected thoughts and ideas, the easier the creative process becomes.
Intentionally disconnect. There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and while I do keep a pulse of where things are at, I noticed that there is a direct correlation between the amount of time I spend following the news and how crappy I feel. But when I use my pen and paper, there are no distractions.
I’ve been rethinking a lot of things lately, and have been very happy incorporating analog tools into my hybrid system. And if I had to over-simplify it, it would be this:
Thinking happens on paper
Creating happens on the computer
Isaac Smith describes this very well in his article, Work Doesn’t Happen at the Computer:
“Just because we’ve normalized computers doesn’t mean we have to use them every waking moment of the day, or that they are the best tool for every job.”
My moment of clarity was when I realized that I was trying to use my computers (and I list my watch and phone in that category as well) to solve just about every productivity problem I faced.
I end this article with a challenge for you to think about your own technology habits. How many of them are just default behaviors you naturally gravitate towards? How many are intentional choices of the best tool for the job?
You might be surprised at what you can get done when you slow down long enough to really think about it.