How to Do a "Free Writing" Exercise

In the previous article, I wrote How to Organize Your "Thinking Time".

Here, I will explain the rules of Free Writing exercise.

I assume you have provided the necessary conditions.

Freewriting exercise usually takes 10-15 minutes, sometimes more and sometimes less, but that's an average.

Do this exercise once a week or when you:

• want to organize your week or your project
• come back from a vacation to give yourself a quick start
• are stressed, unsatisfied and overwhelmed

We have two versions of freewriting exercise.

One is when you write until you know you have nothing more to say. It usually takes 5-20 minutes. When I am stressed or unsatisfied, I use this version.

The second is to use a timer for 10 or 15 minutes. When we have a time frame, we press our brain to work faster and dump all we have. When I am planning something, I use this version.

It is better to use a timer, not the phone. If you use your phone make sure it is on flight mode!

Now, let's get familiar with several rules for this exercise.

Rule # 1 - You must use a pen and paper (notebook).

Computer keyboards or mobile phones are not allowed. Why? The purpose of this exercise is to gain clarity and relief. There is a special connection in our subconscious between thinking and handwriting. It is almost like we are drawing our thoughts, it is an intimate internal communication. With electronic devices, we do not have that kind of communication.

Rule # 2 - When you start writing, do not stop until finished.

You will probably have many items to write at the beginning, and it is normal to run out of ideas after a few minutes. If you temporarily don't know what to write, keep writing dots or circles or write letters like tktktktk or wvwvwv, just keep the pan moving. After a few minutes or seconds, if you continue being busy with pen movements, the waterfall of ideas will come again. And, when it comes, just continue from that point.

Rule # 3 - Drop your pen and walk away.

When timer rings or you feel you are done, drop your pen. Drop it! Stand up, walk a circle in your room, stretch a while, breath in deeply and after that comeback.

Rule # 4 - Read your notes and pick conclusions.

Now, read your notes. You can read aloud if you like, and then make one or two conclusions, Aha's or takeaways.

Congratulations! How do you feel? Let me know and comment below.