The Pen & Paper Methods to Boost Learning, Memory & Innovation.

Do you enjoy listening to stories? Whether these are stories we tell ourselves, share, or hear from others, this is where our focus goes. Depending on the stories we choose, we can learn, improve, innovate and discover new things. Our thoughts blend through storytelling, and the ones we repeat more often replicate thought patterns. But what if connecting new stories we decide ourselves with simple exercises helps improve memory and creativity? Does this mean we can develop better concepts, ideas and a curiosity that encourages and inspires Innovation?

Almost anything new we start we have yet ever to do is thought difficult, unlikeable or unattractive until we decide to try. Focusing on a few words daily can change a mindset and set different paths to learning more effectively.??

There is one particular word here that successful people favour, and its implication changes depending on whether Innovation is present. This word represents a crucial action required for Innovation to occur, while it is also one of the most undesirable words we often like to hear. Learn – the word Learn can often sound tedious and challenging, right??Additionally, what happens when we learn something or come across great ideas only to forget about them?

Learning is more interesting when we decide the intent ourselves in our own time, which actually boosts creativity and memory.

Innovating is learning a path we see fit that also pushes us to learn more and recognise new interests that intrigue us. The later step of Innovation, discovering, begins with realising a new understanding that leads to discovery and drive to learn further.? ?

One of the more recent neuroscience research studies says that?1 Simple Habit Boosts Brain Connectivity, Learning, and Memory.?Writing with a pen on paper rather than typing on a keyboard helps retain information to improve memory.?

"The pen is truly mightier than the keyboard."

From personal experience, I can relate to this, and it's not only writing down words but sketching also.? ??

The best way to innovate is to learn how to improve our creative power. Innovation requires time, thoughtful attention and intention, as Innovation's best friend is time and the timing between tasks, hobbies, and daily activities. Being genuinely creative and inventive is how we can tip ourselves (ideas) to pivot.?

The connections between retaining memory and focusing on new steps connect new thought patterns to explore and create-form ideas.??

A simple exercise.??

Each day, focus for 5 minutes in the evening after dinner or before bedtime, and associate just two to three words with what you have learned today; this can be anything. Something about food, wellbeing or technology, anything that interests you: then try to remember those two or three words the following morning and think about it for a few minutes. This creates thoughtful connections from past intentional efforts and adds attention to focusing on good habits of learning and discovering. The goal is to find new words each day. Innovation is not just about developing a tangible idea, as many believe. Innovation is what you do each day, and with more new potential for discovery, it turns Innovation ON. When we Remember, we can further learn by improving something. This practice innovates by structuring and connecting past actions and new options we repeat, bringing new ideas and missing pieces we find useful into daily activities.?

Three easy steps.

1. The pen and paper 5 min evening/morning action.?Write down the 2-3 words (interests on subject or task) on the same piece of paper each evening, try remembering them the following morning, and think about them for a few minutes. Use this one paper as a focus paper and occasionally review and contemplate your story to create connections and thoughtful insights to make your story real.

2. Create a journal, draft ideas, or sketches when you have time and make it a habit. Occasionally, check your focus paper (below), think about updating specific words about one subject or task or adding words, circle them, link them and add colour. This is a great way to change your mindset or if your mind jostles around or runs out of ideas.? ?

3. Learning about design thinking can help uncover more potential by simplifying, updating, and refreshing ideas and stories.?

This learning path can be tedious, but bad habits are the monotone, identical stories we are stuck on. Finding what lousy habits to break off helps turn good habits On.?

The exercise above (first step) is only an everyday habit if you choose to. The best results are stints and rest between periods. For example, 1-week stints and taking time off. The best ideas come from fresh eyes/perspectives, taking the mind off one intensity/passion - subject/task and returning to the same task. Good habits can help us focus and find the direction through better decisions/choices. Just as we keep our bodies active, we should also exercise our creative minds. Developing new positive habits can lead to greater openness and the ability to remember and share more compelling stories.

By embracing sounder practices, we experience more aspects of our lives. Understanding the differences between what we relate to (due to past efforts/habits) and how we approach new thoughts uncovers a slightly unexplored story - we seek. This discovery leads to Innovation. By taking steps, learning from actions and attaching new meanings, we can tell the better stories. Making more growth in life is prioritising, making our goals worthwhile. Constantly multitasking throughout the day is a half-complete story, requiring focus-half-assessment. Taking the first step to remember brings focus; the second step is making it part of a routine, and the third is assessing a goal to discover drive. All combined are tangible assets to be more creative and resourceful.? ? ? ? ?

If you find this helpful and want to learn more about habits, Innovation, and design thinking, you can read the article: How Habits and Imagination Define Innovative Thinking.?

I've developed a website on design thinking. Click?here?if you would like to learn about our approaches.?