When doing research for various projects in university, I loved to sit cross-legged on the floor of a secluded library aisle, selecting books off of the shelf and browsing through each one.

Researching was my jam, whether with actual books in hand or perusing articles online. What I never enjoyed was the actual note-taking part. I desperately wanted to store what I read into a photographic brain. Except I wasn’t born with one . . . 

With a sigh, I’d lug that giant stack of books home with me or sit with my laptop at a library desk, typing out a gazillion notes of paraphrases, summaries, and quotes. I did that for all of my seven years of university researching. It wasn’t until two years ago that I discovered the art of note-taking by hand. Yes, that old-fashioned way of writing with a pen on paper. 

I had never really done this before. As a fast typer, I could crank out pages of notes by screen and keyboard. In contrast, writing out notes by hand takes time.

But I found that my eyes and brain needed a break from screens and that I was typing out notes without thinking a great deal about the content. (It’s possible to do that.)

Note-taking by hand makes me slow down, focus more, and really think through what I want to say. 

In turn, I have observed that I write more concisely, and at the same time, retain more of what I’m writing down. This is extremely helpful when I prepare for client meetings. If I write out notes first, I recall them much more readily, than if I typed them out. I don’t have to glance down as much because they’ve been cemented in my brain.

I will also pull out my notepad to take notes as my client talks. I do have to write quickly, but I learn to listen carefully and jot down the necessary points, instead of typing every word they speak.   

Of course, part of me would rather type everything out because it’s so much faster. However, the more I write things down, the more I enjoy writing. It feels natural; it feels right.

Plus, I’ve finally realized that I can buy simple notepads that don’t include spirals or stiff bindings. To my fellow left-handers, that one is for you. 

Does this mean that I’ve given up typing? Absolutely not. However, note-taking by hand gives me a much-needed break from typing and honestly, helps me become a much better writer overall.  

If you need help with your writing projects, like your resume, your website, your LinkedIn page, your business content, etc., contact me for further details about how I can assist you.