Mastering the Art of Structured Thinking: The Power of Writing

Learn the importance of structured thinking through writing, starting with the word ‘this’ and separating writing from editing. Discover how Jeff Bezos revolutionized presentations and the key to great writing through iterative improvement.

The Importance of Writing

Writing is often perceived as something secondary to thinking. However, it’s crucial to understand that writing is thinking. The process of writing down your thoughts forces you to structure them in an order someone else can digest. It’s only when you lay down your ideas on a page, creating a clear and coherent structure, that you truly realize whether your thinking was strong or weak. Simply put, writing exposes the clarity, or lack thereof, in your thoughts.

The Power of Always Carrying a Notepad

In the age of digital notepads and apps, the simplicity of carrying an actual notepad can sometimes be overlooked. Yet, having a physical space to jot down ideas, thoughts, and inspirations as they occur can be incredibly empowering. Carrying a notepad, as demonstrated by the speaker, provides a consistent and dedicated tool for this purpose. Adding a personal touch, such as letting his daughter add her own drawings and notes, enhances the sentimental value and inspiration that such a simple habit can bring.

Concrete Tip: Start Every Writing with “This”

One of the most straightforward yet powerful tips shared by the speaker is to start every piece of writing with the word “this.” Whether you are writing an email, a document, or any other type of text, beginning with the word “this” forces you to clarify what the writing is about. It’s a technique that aligns your thoughts and ensures that you’re articulating the purpose of the piece from the very start. This method not only helps the writer stay focused but also provides the reader with a crystal-clear objective.

Learning from Amazon’s Writing Culture

At Amazon, a unique approach to presenting ideas and proposals involves written documents instead of PowerPoint presentations. This approach was championed by Jeff Bezos, who believed that while PowerPoint is easy for the presenter, it is hard for the audience to follow and fully understand. A six-page Word document, on the other hand, allows the writer to articulate thoughts and ideas in a structured format that is easier for the reader to digest.

Silent Reading in Meetings

Another notable practice at Amazon is the first 20 minutes of management meetings, where everyone silently reads the six-page document. This ensures that every person in the room has read and understood the proposal before any discussion begins. It’s a method that respects the writer’s effort and ensures that discussions are informed and relevant. This approach underscores the importance of taking time to read and fully understand content before engaging in debate or discussion.

Dividing Writing and Editing

One of the significant barriers to effective writing is trying to write and edit simultaneously. The speaker stresses the necessity of separating these two processes. Writing is the act of producing words, whereas editing is the process of refining those words. Mixing the two can stunt creativity and lead to writer’s block.

Vomit a Bad First Draft

Most writers, including the speaker, find that getting a bad first draft out is essential. The aim is to produce around 500 words of content without worrying about mistakes or inaccuracies. This “vomit draft” forms the foundation upon which you can build and improve. Once the first draft is complete, the focus can shift to editing, which is about iterating, refining, and reorganizing the content to enhance its clarity and effectiveness.

The Iterative Process of Editing

Great writing is essentially great editing. Each iteration of a draft improves upon the previous one. As the speaker mentions, some of his best articles began as rough blog posts that were revised multiple times. This process involved rewriting the content for different audiences, transforming blog posts into more polished articles for students, other blogs, or magazines. Each iteration brings small but significant improvements that collectively turn a rough draft into a well-crafted piece of writing.

Practical Steps for Better Writing

Decide: Writing or Editing

When you sit down to work on a document, clearly decide whether you’ll be writing or editing. If you’re writing, focus solely on getting your thoughts down on the page. Aim for a specific word count and resist the urge to edit as you go. If you’re editing, take your time to improve sentences, work on the structure, and refine the content.

Separate the Two Processes

Treat writing and editing as separate tasks. Allocate dedicated time slots for each. When writing, your goal is to produce content. When editing, your goal is to refine and improve what you’ve written. This separation will not only make the process more manageable but also more productive, as you won’t be switching mindsets repeatedly.

Embrace the Messy First Draft

Don’t be afraid of the messy first draft. It’s a critical part of the writing process. The aim is to get your ideas out without judgment. Once the draft is on the page, you have something tangible to work with. Remember, the quality of your first draft does not determine your worth as a writer – the iterative process of refining it does.

Improving Your Writing Skill

Improving your writing skill isn’t about producing perfect first drafts; it’s about learning to love the process of rewriting. With each revision, you hone your ability to communicate clearly and effectively. It’s this iterative process that transforms good writers into great ones.

Engage and Iterate

Engagement with your readers and audience is another critical part of the writing process. Feedback helps you understand what resonated with others and what didn’t. Encouraging your readers to leave comments or share their thoughts can provide invaluable insights for future writing projects.

Feedback and Reader Interaction

The speaker emphasizes the importance of interacting with his readers. By asking for feedback and ideas for future videos, he builds a more engaged and responsive audience. This feedback loop not only helps in generating content that addresses reader’s interests but also in refining the message based on real-world reactions and criticisms.

Conclusion

Writing is an intricate dance between thinking and structuring thoughts on a page. From carrying a notepad everywhere to practicing the simple yet effective tip of starting with “this,” the journey of transforming jumbled thoughts into coherent, structured writing is one of perseverance and iterative refinement.

Dividing writing and editing into separate processes, embracing messy first drafts, and iterating until the piece is polished are key practices that can take your writing to the next level.

Remember, writing is not a solitary endeavor. Engaging with your readers and incorporating their feedback can further refine your work and ensure that your message is clearly and effectively communicated. So, grab that notepad, start with “this,” and begin your journey of structuring your thoughts into impactful writing.

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