Writing It Down Makes It Real

As the saying goes, thoughts are just daydreams until they are put into action.  We’ve probably all heard the importance of writing goals and objectives down.  This process of writing it down makes it “real” and takes it from abstract to concrete.  This is the “pre-action” that is required for significant action.  If writing down a goal or a target is akin to “starting the car,” the actions that you take toward that goal or target is the actual “driving.” 

While I strongly agree with this, I would suggest that we shouldn’t limit ourselves to documenting / declaring just our goals, targets, or “to-do’s.”  In its simplest form, writing something down creates two things – clarity and accountability.

In terms of clarity, and as mentioned earlier, writing something down takes it from abstract to concrete.  Here’s a test…think of an idea or topic that you have a point-of-view on.  First, take a piece of paper and write your “position” on that idea or topic across the top.  Then, write a one page “position-paper” on that idea or topic.  I trust that, without any research, you will come out of this exercise with much more clarity on that topic or idea because of the simple process of working through abstract thoughts in your head to get to a clear message on paper.

I used to do this to staff that would come to me to talk about an “idea” to improve or change things.  I’d tell them that I would intently consider their idea…as long as they brought it to me on a piece of paper.  Forcing them to take it from conversational to written form brought clarity before we had the discussion.

If you want more clarity about a situation or event in your life, write it down.  If you want to work through a problem, write it down.  The simple process of putting pencil to paper activates cells at the base of the brain called the reticular activating system (RAS). The RAS acts as a filter for everything your brain needs to process, giving more importance to the stuff that you’re actively focusing on at the moment – it gives you more clarity.

Secondly, writing something down creates accountability.  Let’s say someone wanted to lose a certain amount of weight.  To support this goal they decided to weigh themselves every day and write that weight on a Post-it note and stick it to the refrigerator door.  Every day they looked at that number.  Every day they had to write the same number if they didn’t make progress.  They got to celebrate victories by writing new, lower, numbers as well.  Every day that refrigerator door and a pack of Post-it notes provided accountability. (Disclaimer-I would only suggest this to people who live alone, have a private space, or have a very supportive spouse!)  That said, this strategy could be used for anything that is measurable.  Your bank account.  Your sales numbers.  Minutes exercised.  Appreciation calls made.  Regardless of what it is, when it’s on paper there is a heightened level of accountability (bonus point for visibility).

What areas of your work and personal life would you like more clarity or accountability?  Write it down and track it.