## intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=0s) - Carrying paper is a helpful habit when working on creative projects or personal communications, as it allows for more effective thinking and problem-solving than using digital devices, and this method is also used by many innovative thinkers, even in a highly digital world [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=0s). - The act of typing or using a phone to brainstorm does not facilitate the same level of thinking and problem-solving as writing on paper, and may not lead to actual solutions, despite potentially getting ideas out of one's brain [(00:00:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=11s). - The effectiveness of paper thinking is rooted in neuroscience, rather than nostalgia or aesthetics, and there are various techniques for using paper to solve different challenges and generate creative ideas [(00:00:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=23s). - The discussion will cover the science behind paper thinking, different techniques for solving challenges, and how to set up a practical paper thinking system that can be used in conjunction with digital tools [(00:00:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=46s). - This method may be particularly helpful for individuals who are feeling stuck in their thinking or finding that their digital tools are not effective, as it can provide a useful alternative or supplement to digital tools [(00:00:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=56s). ## the science behind paper thinking [(00:01:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=63s) - Handwriting has several cognitive benefits compared to typing, including activating more areas of the brain simultaneously, which helps create rich neural pathways and connections between what is being written and working memory [(00:01:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=68s). - Researchers at the University of Washington found that handwriting activates significantly more areas of the brain than typing, lighting up regions responsible for reading, thinking, and memory, and this can help maintain a connection between what is being written and working memory [(00:01:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=75s). - Writing by hand can also help cement information deeper into memory, as seen in the example of a novel-length story that was written by hand, allowing the writer to recall breakthroughs and plot points from memory [(00:01:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=102s). - Studies have shown that students who take notes by hand understand concepts better than those who type, even if they write fewer words, because writing forces them to be selective and rephrase information in their own words [(00:02:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=176s). - The physical space of paper allows for spatial thinking that digital interfaces cannot compete with, enabling the use of visual aids like arrows, diagrams, and timelines to connect related concepts and ideas [(00:03:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=230s). - Taking notes by hand, as opposed to typing, can help retain information in a better and stronger way, as it requires translating information into one's own words and then recalling it, as seen in the example of notes from a master's degree lecture [(00:03:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=223s). - Using paper to think and learn allows for contextualizing information in history and visualizing relationships between concepts, such as characters in a story, in a unique and creative way, like a triangular shape, which may not be easily replicable with digital note-taking solutions [(00:04:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=284s). - The process of drawing and writing on paper engages both the mind and body, enabling the use of the entire page as a canvas to explore different ideas and concepts, such as character journeys, act structure, and relationships between characters [(00:05:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=334s). - Paper note-taking allows for the creation of mind maps and the visualization of multiple arcs and concepts side by side, making it easier to see how they intersect and relate to each other, particularly in the context of a story's three-act structure [(00:06:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=363s). - Digital mind mapping tools, such as Canva or Figma, may not provide the same mind-body connection as writing and drawing by hand, which activates parts of the brain involved in navigation and spatial reasoning [(00:06:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=388s). - The physical act of flipping through pages or note cards can also aid in memory recall, as the mind-body connection created through handwriting and drawing can help remember the shape and location of notes on a page [(00:06:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=407s). - The use of different colored pens, writing angles, and page layouts can further enhance the mind-body connection and create a unique and personalized system for thinking and learning [(00:07:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=429s). - [[Lumen metabolism tracker | Lumen]], a handheld metabolic coach, can help track and improve metabolic flexibility, which is the body's ability to efficiently switch between burning carbs and burning fats, leading to increased energy, better weight management, and overall wellness [(00:07:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=460s). - The Lumen device is used by breathing into it first thing in the morning, and it provides a personalized nutrition plan for the rest of the day based on the user's body, rather than a generic template [(00:08:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=491s). - The Lumen app allows users to check their body's status in real-time before and after workouts or meals, giving them concrete data about their body's needs [(00:08:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=496s). - The device helps users understand their metabolism better by providing clear insights about what their body needs, rather than relying on confusing diet trends or guessing [(00:08:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=503s). - A discount of 15% off the Lumen device is available by going to lumen.me/rachel or clicking the link below, allowing users to start understanding their body's needs [(00:08:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=515s). - The Lumen device and app provide users with a personalized approach to nutrition, giving them a better understanding of their body's requirements and helping them make informed decisions about their diet [(00:08:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=522s). ## choosing the right tools to think [(00:08:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=527s) - To implement paper thinking into daily life, it is essential to choose tools thoughtfully, considering factors such as the color of the pages, the spine, and the size of the notebook, as these aspects can impact thinking, and a recommendation is to select products that facilitate thinking [(00:08:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=533s). - A classic example of a suitable notebook is a [[Moleskine]] or a Leuchtturm notebook, which are both minimal, functional, and beautiful, with the Moleskine being a preferred brand, offering a simple design and cream-colored paper that is easier on the eyes [(00:09:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=549s). - The Moleskine notebook is a recommended option because it is not invasive, slightly shorter than average, and has a simple design, making it easy to carry around, and it also comes in various configurations, including grid, dot grid, and lined paper [(00:09:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=574s). - Other notebook options, such as the Manager Notebook from Paper Test Designs, offer a dot grid and spare pages, and individuals may prefer different types of notebooks, such as graph paper or lined paper, and Moleskine and Leuchtturm offer various options to cater to different preferences [(00:10:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=643s). - The key to choosing a notebook is to select one that is minimal and allows for a messy and raw writing experience, without being too fancy or expensive, as the goal is to put thoughts down on paper, and any minimal notebook will suffice, regardless of the brand or price [(00:11:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=673s). - When working on big or complex problems, a slightly larger notebook, such as the A5 size Moleskine, is recommended, as it provides more space to spread out ideas, but a pocket-sized notebook is also useful for capturing thoughts on the go [(00:12:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=731s). - In addition to notebooks, pens are also an essential tool, and multicolored pens, such as the Uniball Jetstream, are preferred, as they offer a range of colors and can provide haptic feedback when writing, allowing for a more engaging and expressive writing experience [(00:12:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=773s). ## paper thinking to solve creative problems [(00:13:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=825s) - To effectively solve creative problems using paper thinking, it is essential to use different thinking techniques for different problems, as not all thinking is the same, and various problems benefit from different paper techniques [(00:13:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=825s). - A mind map is a useful technique for creative problems, allowing for a radial thinking approach that helps make new connections by visually representing main ideas in circles and connecting them to each other [(00:13:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=838s). - The mind map technique involves creating a visual representation of ideas, with main ideas in circles and connections between them, enabling the visualization of relationships between ideas and the identification of new connections [(00:14:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=845s). - Another example of a mind map is one that connects three main characters in visual ways, branching off into various parts of the page to explore relationships, demonstrating the flexibility of this technique for creative problem-solving [(00:14:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=866s). - In addition to creative problems, paper thinking can also be applied to decision making and delegation, requiring the use of alternative techniques, such as the one mentioned, which is used for these specific purposes [(00:14:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=879s). ## paper thinking for decision making [(00:14:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=882s) - The Eisenhower matrix is a decision matrix that sorts tasks into quadrants in a four-quadrant grid, categorizing them as urgent or non-urgent and important or not important, to facilitate the decision-making process [(00:14:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=882s). - Brain dumping all tasks for a given month and sorting them into an Eisenhower matrix is a productivity technique that helps make decision making easier by requiring critical thinking about each task [(00:15:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=907s). - The act of sorting tasks into the Eisenhower matrix is a thinking process that involves critically evaluating each task to determine its urgency and importance, and this practice is a crucial decision-making factor [(00:15:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=914s). - A standard pros and cons list is also a type of decision matrix that can be used to make well-informed decisions, and it is often easier to create and use on paper than in a digital format [(00:15:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=938s). - Using decision matrices, such as the Eisenhower matrix or a pros and cons list, can help individuals make decisions about task delegation, such as determining who should do what on a team or in a household [(00:15:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=932s). ## paper thinking for emotional processing [(00:15:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=956s) - Journaling, specifically freewriting, is a recommended method for processing problems, as it helps to emotionally process thoughts and feelings by getting them out without any structure, allowing for a mind-body connection that aids in working through emotions [(00:15:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=956s). - The act of freewriting can be done without the intention of keeping the written content, as the goal is to get thoughts and feelings out of one's system, and once they are written down, they can be discarded if needed, as the physical act of writing helps to process and understand the thoughts and feelings [(00:16:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=981s). - Freewriting can be applied to various situations, such as journaling about exercise classes immediately after taking them, which helps to process feelings and thoughts about the experience, making it easier to reference later and determine what was liked or disliked about the class [(00:17:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1027s). - The use of freewriting can be beneficial for both short-term and long-term purposes, as it can be used to process immediate thoughts and feelings, and also to reference later, providing insight into one's thoughts and feelings about a particular experience, such as trying different exercise classes like core power yoga or orange theory [(00:17:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1046s). - The mind-body connection established through freewriting, as opposed to typing, allows for a more comprehensive processing of emotions, as it engages multiple parts of the brain, helping to work through feelings and gain a better understanding of one's thoughts [(00:16:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=975s). ## paper thinking for project planning [(00:17:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1069s) - Project planning is a problem that can be worked through using paper thinking, and one effective method for this is backward mapping, which involves starting with the end goal and working backwards to determine the necessary steps at each milestone [(00:17:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1069s). - Backward mapping provides clarity in a way that linear planning often doesn't, and it can be applied to various projects, such as writing a story, by breaking down the process into smaller tasks and setting deadlines for each quarter [(00:18:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1081s). - To use backward mapping, start with the final goal, such as publishing a story by the end of the year, and then work backwards to determine the necessary milestones, such as having a second draft by quarter 3, a first draft by quarter 2, and a rough draft by quarter 1 [(00:18:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1087s). - By using backward mapping, it becomes clear what needs to be accomplished by a certain time, such as finishing a rough draft by the end of March, and this helps to create a reasonable timeline for the project [(00:18:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1100s). - Without backward mapping, it can be difficult to create a timeline and stay on track, and the project may take longer than necessary, but by starting at the end and working backwards, it is possible to see the project's timeline and make steady progress [(00:18:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1121s). - The example given is a writing project, where the goal is to publish a story by the end of the year, and by using backward mapping, the writer is able to see that they need to finish their rough draft by the end of March and can plan their time accordingly [(00:18:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1131s). - Backward mapping helps to provide a strict timeline for each part of the project, and this helps to ensure that the project is completed on time, rather than dragging on indefinitely [(00:19:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1154s). - By applying backward mapping to a project, it is possible to break down the process into manageable tasks, create a timeline, and make steady progress towards the final goal [(00:19:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1159s). ## integrating with digital tools [(00:19:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1170s) - Integrating paper thinking into daily life requires creating a system for integration with digital tools, allowing thoughts and ideas to be transferred from a paper notebook to other systems for more effective use [(00:19:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1170s). - The paper notebook is not necessarily a permanent home for thoughts and ideas, as many of them can be translated into other systems, such as a writing app, to facilitate their development and organization [(00:19:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1177s). - For example, story-related ideas can be transferred from a paper notebook to a writing app, such as Scrier, to be further developed and written [(00:19:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1189s). - The process of integrating paper thinking with digital tools can be applied to various creative projects, such as [[YouTube]] content creation, where ideas and notes from a paper notebook can be translated into a more concrete and organized form [(00:19:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1195s). - This integration system enables individuals to work on their creative projects more efficiently, regardless of the specific project or platform they are using, such as YouTube or other creative pursuits [(00:20:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1201s). ## two-stage processing [(00:20:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1205s) - The two-stage processing method involves thinking on paper in a messy and unfiltered way, and then transferring the key insights into a digital tool for organization and implementation, allowing for a creative and chaotic initial thought process [(00:20:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1205s). - This process starts with getting thoughts down on paper without worrying about appearance, and then translating the most important pieces of information into a text document, such as a notes app, to organize and implement them [(00:20:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1225s). - An example of this method is scripting a [[YouTube]] video, where mind mapping and brainstorming are done on paper, and then the key points are typed up in a notes app, allowing for easy searching and organization of ideas [(00:20:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1241s). - Digital tools are useful for sharing and collaborating on finished drafts, such as sending a typed-up script to an editor for feedback, which would be impractical to do with a physical piece of paper [(00:21:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1285s). - The process of translating ideas from paper to digital format forces the brain to process the information again, which helps with understanding and retention, making the two-stage processing method a effective approach for creative projects [(00:21:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1307s). - Notebooks used for thinking are meant to be messy and chaotic, reflecting the natural state of the human brain, and should not be worried about being pretty or Instagram-worthy [(00:22:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1333s). - The two-stage processing method is a reliable approach that yields good results, and is used for almost all creative projects, highlighting the importance of combining analog and digital tools for effective thinking and productivity [(00:22:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q&t=1326s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zix6F_zS0Q?si=fhjFOwHKUASA2vPf)