With everything going digital and many people being on a computer all day at work, it's easy to get stuck into a paperless mindset. I'll tell you what though... paper can be one of the most powerful tools in your toolbox.
Writer Note: Despite not being very satisfied with today's content, I decided to go ahead and post it anyway. Perhaps I'm being my worst critic or it actually isn't great. My hope is that as time goes on these will improve, as with anything. On with the content!
Benefits
Paper is easily manipulated, doodled on, and noted on at a moment's notice. Plus, when you need to read one of those notes, it's right there; no loading up a file or turning on your computer to see it.
There is also something to be said about the process of writing versus typing. [Studies have shown][study]⇗ that you retain more information when you write compared to when you type. It's this reason alone that, despite having a laptop with me in every college class, I took all notes by hand, on paper.
Additionally, there is an enjoyment that can be experienced from writing that just isn't there when typing.
Writing Moves You Forward
Don't just stop at handwriting notes. Start writing more... everything.
Write down your thoughts and ideas. Your problems and solutions. By writing, you are clearing all that information from your brain, sorting it and allowing your brain to focus on new things. The benefits of this are obvious.
Writing more will increase your productivity. It will clear your mind. It will solve more problems. It will relax you.
At least, it does all that for me.
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[study]: http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=177291 "External Link: northwestern.edu - Writing by hand better for learning, study shows - Jan 27, 2011"