Paying Better Attention
We’ve known for some time that if you take notes while listening to someone speak—on the radio or television, in a classroom, or in person at an event—you’ll have a better chance of retaining the information, even if you throw the notes out right after taking them. It has something to do with the brain connections made in the writing process…your brain hears and processes, but it’s reinforced when writing—and not necessarily by typing, by the way.
I got an email the other day from Staples, the office supply company. The subject line was “four ways paper writing is more effective than typing”—yes, there were ads for pens and paper supplies, so take it for what it’s worth—but the list was interesting.
The email ad read, “In a world dominated by screens, we often choose to type notes because of the speed and accuracy it offers. But studies show that handwriting notes can help with recall, engagement and health. Consider these benefits next time you take notes.”
The first was stronger recall, as suggested earlier. It said “Note-taking by hand requires us to slow down and process ideas rather than copying them verbatim.”
Next, improved attention and engagement. “We touch our phones an average of 2,617 times daily,” it claimed. “Leaving the phone out of sight helps us keep focused.”
Third, decreased stress. “Handwriting activates the same sections of the brain as meditation, helping ease stress and anxiety,” it said. My handwriting has gotten so bad, it feels more stressful because I can’t read it…but it’s an interesting claim.
Finally, reduced eyestrain, because “overexposure to screens can cause computer vision syndrome, leading to blurry vision and headaches.”
Honesty requires me to point out that this segment was typed on a computer screen, and not handwritten. But I do rely on hand-written calendars and to-do lists, because I don’t want everything I do to be on a screen…and yes, I do feel more connected to tasks when doing that.
So, something to consider…don’t just listen to the radio or watch a speaker…jot down a few things as you go. Seems worth a try in an era where we are all so overwhelmed and disconnected.
