Why pen & paper is your secret productivity weapon

If you thought you needed loads of fancy productivity apps to get sh*t done, think again. Because all you really need is a simple pen and paper!

There’s so many productivity apps like Evernote, Notion & Todoist (I’ve tried them all!) but now, like a growing number of people, I’ve gone back to mainly using old school tools!

I agree with productivity expert David Allen who says that paper is “in your face.” Its physical presence can be a goad to completing tasks, whereas computer files can easily be hidden and thus forgotten, he said. Some of his clients are even returning to paper planners for this very reason.

Writing stuff down minimimises distractions, enhances your focus and improves information retention.

And the physical act of writing engages the brain more actively than typing, leading to better learning and recall.

This, in turn, can lead to more effective brainstorming, clearer thinking, and ultimately, higher-quality work.

5 ways pen & paper supercharge your productivity

1. Reduced Digital Distractions:

• Unlike digital devices, pen and paper offer a distraction-free environment. There are no notifications, emails, or social media to pull your attention away from the task at hand.

• This allows for deeper focus and concentration, leading to more productive brainstorming and clearer thinking.

2. Enhanced Cognitive Function and Memory:

• The physical act of writing activates the brain's frontal and central lobes, which are involved in learning and memory processes.

• Handwriting strengthens neural pathways, making it easier to learn and recall information.

• Research suggests that handwritten notes are more effective for information retention than typed notes according to Psychological Science Journal, a meta-analysis of 24 international studies.

3. Improved Focus and Concentration:

• The deliberate process of writing helps you slow down and focus on the task at hand.

• It forces you to prioritize information and condense it into a concise and understandable form.

• This focused approach can lead to better problem-solving and creative thinking.

4. Fostering Creativity and Idea Generation:

• Pen and paper can be a powerful tool for brainstorming and generating new ideas.

• The freedom to sketch, doodle, and write without the constraints of digital tools can unlock creativity.

• The physical act of writing can also help you externalize your thoughts and make them more concrete, leading to new insights.

5. Creating a Personalised System:

• Pen and paper allow you to create a personalised system that works best for your individual needs and preferences.

• You can organize your thoughts, tasks, and goals in a way that feels natural and intuitive.

• Whether it's a simple to-do list, a bullet journal, or a more complex system like Zettelkasten, pen and paper offer the flexibility to adapt to your workflow.

Are you an old skool pen and paper person or do you prefer using modern productivity apps? 🤔

I’m an old skool stationery nerd who thinks pen and paper is cool so I love using notebooks, paper planners & paper journals etc to run my business. In particular, I love the Get Shit Done Collection by MiGoals.

The only thing I need to do now is improve my dreadful handwriting! 🤣🙈 I think we’re deffo losing the ability to write by hand thanks to the digital age but that’s another story!

Anyway, I’ll leave you with one of my favourite quotes which I think perfectly illustrates the tangible & action-oriented effect of jotting your thoughts down on paper..👇

If you want to find out what tools Redditors use to supercharge their productivity (and yes pen & paper is a popular choice!) check out my post here: 👇

💥Get Shit Done Weekly Challenge

Why don’t you try writing down your goals, plans, or ideas on paper and you can see for yourself that it makes them more concrete & increases the likelihood of you taking action to achieve them.

📢 AND FINALLY A FEW WORDS FROM ANNIE

I hope you found this week’s newsletter helpful. If there’s any particular topics related to productivity you would like me to cover in future issues, please email [email protected].

Hope you have a productive week! 🚀