"The Society that separates its Scholars from its Warriors, will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools." Thucydides

PURPOSE: Become the Scholar Warrior for your Goals

Improve Every Single Day!

Improve Yourself 1% a Day = 3600%+ in a Year

Thought-Technique-Strategy of the Week:

Image

Create Your Powerful Identity

Let's say you wish to excel in the art of painting. Or open your own woodworking business. Or become a Filmmaker which I did many years ago. The key is to utilize a Powerful Identity in reframing your Focus. Let's stick with painter for the moment.

Use the words: "I am a painter." The powerful use of the "I am..." phrase welds this new outlook to you mentally, intellectually but, more importantly, emotionally. Why emotionally? When you talk about painting (or any very exciting goal), then you can feel the electrical excitement within your body and Being.

"Being" is the act of existing within this newly embraced identity. Then you grow and become.

READ THE MAIN ARTICLE HERE

7 Actions To Change Your Life

Michael's Kenpo Karate Weapons Form - Knife & Pistol

You can see my Pistol & Knife form at approximately 10:31 here in the video from 2010. This is at Bryan Hawkins Kenpo Karate where I have studied Kenpo Karate for approximately over 35 years. The form is one that I created to advance in the system, utilizing Kenpo Karate principles. I use the form with the primary weapon as the firearm, duly guarded and using the knife for close-in drills. This is the training the Warrior phase!

Writing Increases Brainstorming

How to Power Up Your Brainstorming

April 22, 20246 min read

If the skin were parchment and the blows you gave were ink, Your own handwriting would tell you what I think.

William Shakespeare

You want to brainstorm a goal, a project, a plan…a stupendously brilliant new idea! 

 How to do it best?  By hand.  That’s right.  By engaging in handwriting, doodling, drawing and other creative handiwork (neat how I worked that one in, right?), then you are engaging your brainpower in its maximum capacity.

 The use of your hand is called kinesthesia which is like a wire going straight to the brain.  If you think how the hand learns by playing a musical instrument such as a piano or a guitar, you can see that the strumming of  the guitar in relation to a music chord aligns the brain to the action and the sound.

Now, using your imagination, we further link our writing and doodling with the brain while workin up our new brilliant idea. This skillset has been  supported by studies where children remember more using a pen and paper learn better and faster than recording information on a computer.

"Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It's disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there's something visceral about opening a letter - I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting." Steve Carrell

 

Brainstorming Equals Handwriting

Unlocking the Power of Brainstorming Through Handwriting

In the digital age where keystrokes and touchscreens dominate our communication, the age-old practice of handwriting is often disregarded as obsolete. Yet, when it comes to brainstorming—a process integral to creativity and innovation—turning back to the trusty pen and paper could be the key to unlocking our brain's fullest potential.

Recent research spearheaded by professor Audrey van der Meer from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) sheds light on why handwriting is far from being an outdated skill. In a groundbreaking study examining brain activity through EEG, Van der Meer and her team discovered that our brains are significantly more engaged when writing by hand compared to typing.

The study meticulously recorded the neural activity of participants—both young adults and children—revealing a vibrant flurry of action in the brain's sensorimotor regions during handwriting. "The use of pen and paper gives the brain more 'hooks' to hang your memories on," Van der Meer explains. This isn't just about writing; it's a multisensory experience. "A lot of senses are activated by pressing the pen on paper, seeing the letters you write, and hearing the sound you make while writing."

One Technique from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Writing Center

3 perspectives

Looking at something from different perspectives helps you see it more completely—or at least in a completely different way, sort of like laying on the floor makes your desk look very different to you. To use this strategy, answer the questions for each of the three perspectives, then look for interesting relationships or mismatches you can explore:

  1. Describe it: Describe your subject in detail. What is your topic? What are its components? What are its interesting and distinguishing features? What are its puzzles? Distinguish your subject from those that are similar to it. How is your subject unlike others?

  2. Trace it: What is the history of your subject? How has it changed over time? Why? What are the significant events that have influenced your subject?

  3. Map it: What is your subject related to? What is it influenced by? How? What does it influence? How? Who has a stake in your topic? Why? What fields do you draw on for the study of your subject? Why? How has your subject been approached by others? How is their work related to yours?

Why Use Your Handwriting?

When brainstorming, the goal is not merely to generate ideas but to connect deeply with them, to shape them in ways that align intimately with our creative visions. Handwriting, with its direct wire to the brain's sensorimotor areas, offers just that—kinesthesia. This connection is akin to a musician learning a piece on the piano or guitar, where the act itself enhances learning and memory retention.

In many ways, your handwriting connects to your brain, yes, but ultimately to your heart. So when you want to follow a goal, the heart is your true nature. Your heart pulses with enthusiasm leading your brain in the right direction.

Handwriting Connects to Our Receptors

Beyond engaging more of the brain, handwriting also activates a broader network of brain areas, including those responsible for visual processing and memory. This multisensory engagement acts as an array of 'hooks' for the brain, not just to latch onto ideas but to weave them into the fabric of memory, making them easier to recall and develop further.

The Free Flow of Handwriting

There’s something inherently liberating about the act of handwriting in the brainstorming process. Without the linear constraints of a blinking cursor on a blank digital page, handwriting allows thoughts to flow freely, to wander, and explore the uncharted territories of our imagination. It's the artist's brush in our hand, painting strokes of thought onto the canvas of reality.

Doodling is the mind and heart's way of meandering, wandering, exploring - to find the purpose on the page. And your purpose this week, this year, this life.

Staying Present

In the act of handwriting, there's a unique blend of concentration and relaxation that keeps us anchored in the present moment. This state of flow is where creativity thrives, where ideas can sprout, and connections unseen in the hustle of everyday life can reveal themselves.

Beyond the Classroom

It's worth noting that the benefits of handwriting extend beyond academic settings or creative professions. A 2021 study by Japanese researchers demonstrated that participants who wrote calendar events by hand showed more brain activity and recalled information 25% faster than those who used a smartphone for the same task. This correlates with Van der Meer's findings, suggesting that the act of handwriting aids in learning and memory across various contexts.

Despite the technological advancements that offer countless tools at our fingertips, handwriting remains an irreplaceable part of the brainstorming process. It’s not merely about nostalgia for the analog days but about leveraging every tool available to enhance our cognitive capacities. Based on the compelling evidence provided by experts like Audrey van der Meer, and studies conducted by the NTNU and researchers in Japan, it's clear that handwriting is a powerful ally in the pursuit of creativity, learning, and memory retention.

Summary

In conclusion, as we advance into an increasingly digital future, it becomes even more vital to remember the value of handwriting. Not only as a tool for communication but as an essential instrument for cultivating creativity, enhancing memory, and unlocking the full spectrum of our brain's potential. Whether you are brainstorming for the next great invention, planning a project, or simply jotting down ideas.

brainstorminghandwritingkinesthesiabrainstorming your how
blog author image

Michael Mandaville

Michael is a writer, filmmaker and dedicated World War II historian who studies martial arts, action films and is learning more about VFX every single darn day. Oh and a Scholar Warrior

Back to Blog
Writing Increases Brainstorming

How to Power Up Your Brainstorming

April 22, 20246 min read

If the skin were parchment and the blows you gave were ink, Your own handwriting would tell you what I think.

William Shakespeare

You want to brainstorm a goal, a project, a plan…a stupendously brilliant new idea! 

 How to do it best?  By hand.  That’s right.  By engaging in handwriting, doodling, drawing and other creative handiwork (neat how I worked that one in, right?), then you are engaging your brainpower in its maximum capacity.

 The use of your hand is called kinesthesia which is like a wire going straight to the brain.  If you think how the hand learns by playing a musical instrument such as a piano or a guitar, you can see that the strumming of  the guitar in relation to a music chord aligns the brain to the action and the sound.

Now, using your imagination, we further link our writing and doodling with the brain while workin up our new brilliant idea. This skillset has been  supported by studies where children remember more using a pen and paper learn better and faster than recording information on a computer.

"Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It's disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there's something visceral about opening a letter - I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting." Steve Carrell

 

Brainstorming Equals Handwriting

Unlocking the Power of Brainstorming Through Handwriting

In the digital age where keystrokes and touchscreens dominate our communication, the age-old practice of handwriting is often disregarded as obsolete. Yet, when it comes to brainstorming—a process integral to creativity and innovation—turning back to the trusty pen and paper could be the key to unlocking our brain's fullest potential.

Recent research spearheaded by professor Audrey van der Meer from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) sheds light on why handwriting is far from being an outdated skill. In a groundbreaking study examining brain activity through EEG, Van der Meer and her team discovered that our brains are significantly more engaged when writing by hand compared to typing.

The study meticulously recorded the neural activity of participants—both young adults and children—revealing a vibrant flurry of action in the brain's sensorimotor regions during handwriting. "The use of pen and paper gives the brain more 'hooks' to hang your memories on," Van der Meer explains. This isn't just about writing; it's a multisensory experience. "A lot of senses are activated by pressing the pen on paper, seeing the letters you write, and hearing the sound you make while writing."

One Technique from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Writing Center

3 perspectives

Looking at something from different perspectives helps you see it more completely—or at least in a completely different way, sort of like laying on the floor makes your desk look very different to you. To use this strategy, answer the questions for each of the three perspectives, then look for interesting relationships or mismatches you can explore:

  1. Describe it: Describe your subject in detail. What is your topic? What are its components? What are its interesting and distinguishing features? What are its puzzles? Distinguish your subject from those that are similar to it. How is your subject unlike others?

  2. Trace it: What is the history of your subject? How has it changed over time? Why? What are the significant events that have influenced your subject?

  3. Map it: What is your subject related to? What is it influenced by? How? What does it influence? How? Who has a stake in your topic? Why? What fields do you draw on for the study of your subject? Why? How has your subject been approached by others? How is their work related to yours?

Why Use Your Handwriting?

When brainstorming, the goal is not merely to generate ideas but to connect deeply with them, to shape them in ways that align intimately with our creative visions. Handwriting, with its direct wire to the brain's sensorimotor areas, offers just that—kinesthesia. This connection is akin to a musician learning a piece on the piano or guitar, where the act itself enhances learning and memory retention.

In many ways, your handwriting connects to your brain, yes, but ultimately to your heart. So when you want to follow a goal, the heart is your true nature. Your heart pulses with enthusiasm leading your brain in the right direction.

Handwriting Connects to Our Receptors

Beyond engaging more of the brain, handwriting also activates a broader network of brain areas, including those responsible for visual processing and memory. This multisensory engagement acts as an array of 'hooks' for the brain, not just to latch onto ideas but to weave them into the fabric of memory, making them easier to recall and develop further.

The Free Flow of Handwriting

There’s something inherently liberating about the act of handwriting in the brainstorming process. Without the linear constraints of a blinking cursor on a blank digital page, handwriting allows thoughts to flow freely, to wander, and explore the uncharted territories of our imagination. It's the artist's brush in our hand, painting strokes of thought onto the canvas of reality.

Doodling is the mind and heart's way of meandering, wandering, exploring - to find the purpose on the page. And your purpose this week, this year, this life.

Staying Present

In the act of handwriting, there's a unique blend of concentration and relaxation that keeps us anchored in the present moment. This state of flow is where creativity thrives, where ideas can sprout, and connections unseen in the hustle of everyday life can reveal themselves.

Beyond the Classroom

It's worth noting that the benefits of handwriting extend beyond academic settings or creative professions. A 2021 study by Japanese researchers demonstrated that participants who wrote calendar events by hand showed more brain activity and recalled information 25% faster than those who used a smartphone for the same task. This correlates with Van der Meer's findings, suggesting that the act of handwriting aids in learning and memory across various contexts.

Despite the technological advancements that offer countless tools at our fingertips, handwriting remains an irreplaceable part of the brainstorming process. It’s not merely about nostalgia for the analog days but about leveraging every tool available to enhance our cognitive capacities. Based on the compelling evidence provided by experts like Audrey van der Meer, and studies conducted by the NTNU and researchers in Japan, it's clear that handwriting is a powerful ally in the pursuit of creativity, learning, and memory retention.

Summary

In conclusion, as we advance into an increasingly digital future, it becomes even more vital to remember the value of handwriting. Not only as a tool for communication but as an essential instrument for cultivating creativity, enhancing memory, and unlocking the full spectrum of our brain's potential. Whether you are brainstorming for the next great invention, planning a project, or simply jotting down ideas.

brainstorminghandwritingkinesthesiabrainstorming your how
blog author image

Michael Mandaville

Michael is a writer, filmmaker and dedicated World War II historian who studies martial arts, action films and is learning more about VFX every single darn day. Oh and a Scholar Warrior

Back to Blog
Writing Increases Brainstorming

How to Power Up Your Brainstorming

April 22, 20246 min read

If the skin were parchment and the blows you gave were ink, Your own handwriting would tell you what I think.

William Shakespeare

You want to brainstorm a goal, a project, a plan…a stupendously brilliant new idea! 

 How to do it best?  By hand.  That’s right.  By engaging in handwriting, doodling, drawing and other creative handiwork (neat how I worked that one in, right?), then you are engaging your brainpower in its maximum capacity.

 The use of your hand is called kinesthesia which is like a wire going straight to the brain.  If you think how the hand learns by playing a musical instrument such as a piano or a guitar, you can see that the strumming of  the guitar in relation to a music chord aligns the brain to the action and the sound.

Now, using your imagination, we further link our writing and doodling with the brain while workin up our new brilliant idea. This skillset has been  supported by studies where children remember more using a pen and paper learn better and faster than recording information on a computer.

"Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It's disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there's something visceral about opening a letter - I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting." Steve Carrell

 

Brainstorming Equals Handwriting

Unlocking the Power of Brainstorming Through Handwriting

In the digital age where keystrokes and touchscreens dominate our communication, the age-old practice of handwriting is often disregarded as obsolete. Yet, when it comes to brainstorming—a process integral to creativity and innovation—turning back to the trusty pen and paper could be the key to unlocking our brain's fullest potential.

Recent research spearheaded by professor Audrey van der Meer from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) sheds light on why handwriting is far from being an outdated skill. In a groundbreaking study examining brain activity through EEG, Van der Meer and her team discovered that our brains are significantly more engaged when writing by hand compared to typing.

The study meticulously recorded the neural activity of participants—both young adults and children—revealing a vibrant flurry of action in the brain's sensorimotor regions during handwriting. "The use of pen and paper gives the brain more 'hooks' to hang your memories on," Van der Meer explains. This isn't just about writing; it's a multisensory experience. "A lot of senses are activated by pressing the pen on paper, seeing the letters you write, and hearing the sound you make while writing."

One Technique from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Writing Center

3 perspectives

Looking at something from different perspectives helps you see it more completely—or at least in a completely different way, sort of like laying on the floor makes your desk look very different to you. To use this strategy, answer the questions for each of the three perspectives, then look for interesting relationships or mismatches you can explore:

  1. Describe it: Describe your subject in detail. What is your topic? What are its components? What are its interesting and distinguishing features? What are its puzzles? Distinguish your subject from those that are similar to it. How is your subject unlike others?

  2. Trace it: What is the history of your subject? How has it changed over time? Why? What are the significant events that have influenced your subject?

  3. Map it: What is your subject related to? What is it influenced by? How? What does it influence? How? Who has a stake in your topic? Why? What fields do you draw on for the study of your subject? Why? How has your subject been approached by others? How is their work related to yours?

Why Use Your Handwriting?

When brainstorming, the goal is not merely to generate ideas but to connect deeply with them, to shape them in ways that align intimately with our creative visions. Handwriting, with its direct wire to the brain's sensorimotor areas, offers just that—kinesthesia. This connection is akin to a musician learning a piece on the piano or guitar, where the act itself enhances learning and memory retention.

In many ways, your handwriting connects to your brain, yes, but ultimately to your heart. So when you want to follow a goal, the heart is your true nature. Your heart pulses with enthusiasm leading your brain in the right direction.

Handwriting Connects to Our Receptors

Beyond engaging more of the brain, handwriting also activates a broader network of brain areas, including those responsible for visual processing and memory. This multisensory engagement acts as an array of 'hooks' for the brain, not just to latch onto ideas but to weave them into the fabric of memory, making them easier to recall and develop further.

The Free Flow of Handwriting

There’s something inherently liberating about the act of handwriting in the brainstorming process. Without the linear constraints of a blinking cursor on a blank digital page, handwriting allows thoughts to flow freely, to wander, and explore the uncharted territories of our imagination. It's the artist's brush in our hand, painting strokes of thought onto the canvas of reality.

Doodling is the mind and heart's way of meandering, wandering, exploring - to find the purpose on the page. And your purpose this week, this year, this life.

Staying Present

In the act of handwriting, there's a unique blend of concentration and relaxation that keeps us anchored in the present moment. This state of flow is where creativity thrives, where ideas can sprout, and connections unseen in the hustle of everyday life can reveal themselves.

Beyond the Classroom

It's worth noting that the benefits of handwriting extend beyond academic settings or creative professions. A 2021 study by Japanese researchers demonstrated that participants who wrote calendar events by hand showed more brain activity and recalled information 25% faster than those who used a smartphone for the same task. This correlates with Van der Meer's findings, suggesting that the act of handwriting aids in learning and memory across various contexts.

Despite the technological advancements that offer countless tools at our fingertips, handwriting remains an irreplaceable part of the brainstorming process. It’s not merely about nostalgia for the analog days but about leveraging every tool available to enhance our cognitive capacities. Based on the compelling evidence provided by experts like Audrey van der Meer, and studies conducted by the NTNU and researchers in Japan, it's clear that handwriting is a powerful ally in the pursuit of creativity, learning, and memory retention.

Summary

In conclusion, as we advance into an increasingly digital future, it becomes even more vital to remember the value of handwriting. Not only as a tool for communication but as an essential instrument for cultivating creativity, enhancing memory, and unlocking the full spectrum of our brain's potential. Whether you are brainstorming for the next great invention, planning a project, or simply jotting down ideas.

brainstorminghandwritingkinesthesiabrainstorming your how
blog author image

Michael Mandaville

Michael is a writer, filmmaker and dedicated World War II historian who studies martial arts, action films and is learning more about VFX every single darn day. Oh and a Scholar Warrior

Back to Blog
Writing Increases Brainstorming

How to Power Up Your Brainstorming

April 22, 20246 min read

If the skin were parchment and the blows you gave were ink, Your own handwriting would tell you what I think.

William Shakespeare

You want to brainstorm a goal, a project, a plan…a stupendously brilliant new idea! 

 How to do it best?  By hand.  That’s right.  By engaging in handwriting, doodling, drawing and other creative handiwork (neat how I worked that one in, right?), then you are engaging your brainpower in its maximum capacity.

 The use of your hand is called kinesthesia which is like a wire going straight to the brain.  If you think how the hand learns by playing a musical instrument such as a piano or a guitar, you can see that the strumming of  the guitar in relation to a music chord aligns the brain to the action and the sound.

Now, using your imagination, we further link our writing and doodling with the brain while workin up our new brilliant idea. This skillset has been  supported by studies where children remember more using a pen and paper learn better and faster than recording information on a computer.

"Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It's disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there's something visceral about opening a letter - I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting." Steve Carrell

 

Brainstorming Equals Handwriting

Unlocking the Power of Brainstorming Through Handwriting

In the digital age where keystrokes and touchscreens dominate our communication, the age-old practice of handwriting is often disregarded as obsolete. Yet, when it comes to brainstorming—a process integral to creativity and innovation—turning back to the trusty pen and paper could be the key to unlocking our brain's fullest potential.

Recent research spearheaded by professor Audrey van der Meer from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) sheds light on why handwriting is far from being an outdated skill. In a groundbreaking study examining brain activity through EEG, Van der Meer and her team discovered that our brains are significantly more engaged when writing by hand compared to typing.

The study meticulously recorded the neural activity of participants—both young adults and children—revealing a vibrant flurry of action in the brain's sensorimotor regions during handwriting. "The use of pen and paper gives the brain more 'hooks' to hang your memories on," Van der Meer explains. This isn't just about writing; it's a multisensory experience. "A lot of senses are activated by pressing the pen on paper, seeing the letters you write, and hearing the sound you make while writing."

One Technique from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Writing Center

3 perspectives

Looking at something from different perspectives helps you see it more completely—or at least in a completely different way, sort of like laying on the floor makes your desk look very different to you. To use this strategy, answer the questions for each of the three perspectives, then look for interesting relationships or mismatches you can explore:

  1. Describe it: Describe your subject in detail. What is your topic? What are its components? What are its interesting and distinguishing features? What are its puzzles? Distinguish your subject from those that are similar to it. How is your subject unlike others?

  2. Trace it: What is the history of your subject? How has it changed over time? Why? What are the significant events that have influenced your subject?

  3. Map it: What is your subject related to? What is it influenced by? How? What does it influence? How? Who has a stake in your topic? Why? What fields do you draw on for the study of your subject? Why? How has your subject been approached by others? How is their work related to yours?

Why Use Your Handwriting?

When brainstorming, the goal is not merely to generate ideas but to connect deeply with them, to shape them in ways that align intimately with our creative visions. Handwriting, with its direct wire to the brain's sensorimotor areas, offers just that—kinesthesia. This connection is akin to a musician learning a piece on the piano or guitar, where the act itself enhances learning and memory retention.

In many ways, your handwriting connects to your brain, yes, but ultimately to your heart. So when you want to follow a goal, the heart is your true nature. Your heart pulses with enthusiasm leading your brain in the right direction.

Handwriting Connects to Our Receptors

Beyond engaging more of the brain, handwriting also activates a broader network of brain areas, including those responsible for visual processing and memory. This multisensory engagement acts as an array of 'hooks' for the brain, not just to latch onto ideas but to weave them into the fabric of memory, making them easier to recall and develop further.

The Free Flow of Handwriting

There’s something inherently liberating about the act of handwriting in the brainstorming process. Without the linear constraints of a blinking cursor on a blank digital page, handwriting allows thoughts to flow freely, to wander, and explore the uncharted territories of our imagination. It's the artist's brush in our hand, painting strokes of thought onto the canvas of reality.

Doodling is the mind and heart's way of meandering, wandering, exploring - to find the purpose on the page. And your purpose this week, this year, this life.

Staying Present

In the act of handwriting, there's a unique blend of concentration and relaxation that keeps us anchored in the present moment. This state of flow is where creativity thrives, where ideas can sprout, and connections unseen in the hustle of everyday life can reveal themselves.

Beyond the Classroom

It's worth noting that the benefits of handwriting extend beyond academic settings or creative professions. A 2021 study by Japanese researchers demonstrated that participants who wrote calendar events by hand showed more brain activity and recalled information 25% faster than those who used a smartphone for the same task. This correlates with Van der Meer's findings, suggesting that the act of handwriting aids in learning and memory across various contexts.

Despite the technological advancements that offer countless tools at our fingertips, handwriting remains an irreplaceable part of the brainstorming process. It’s not merely about nostalgia for the analog days but about leveraging every tool available to enhance our cognitive capacities. Based on the compelling evidence provided by experts like Audrey van der Meer, and studies conducted by the NTNU and researchers in Japan, it's clear that handwriting is a powerful ally in the pursuit of creativity, learning, and memory retention.

Summary

In conclusion, as we advance into an increasingly digital future, it becomes even more vital to remember the value of handwriting. Not only as a tool for communication but as an essential instrument for cultivating creativity, enhancing memory, and unlocking the full spectrum of our brain's potential. Whether you are brainstorming for the next great invention, planning a project, or simply jotting down ideas.

brainstorminghandwritingkinesthesiabrainstorming your how
blog author image

Michael Mandaville

Michael is a writer, filmmaker and dedicated World War II historian who studies martial arts, action films and is learning more about VFX every single darn day. Oh and a Scholar Warrior

Back to Blog
Writing Increases Brainstorming

How to Power Up Your Brainstorming

April 22, 20246 min read

If the skin were parchment and the blows you gave were ink, Your own handwriting would tell you what I think.

William Shakespeare

You want to brainstorm a goal, a project, a plan…a stupendously brilliant new idea! 

 How to do it best?  By hand.  That’s right.  By engaging in handwriting, doodling, drawing and other creative handiwork (neat how I worked that one in, right?), then you are engaging your brainpower in its maximum capacity.

 The use of your hand is called kinesthesia which is like a wire going straight to the brain.  If you think how the hand learns by playing a musical instrument such as a piano or a guitar, you can see that the strumming of  the guitar in relation to a music chord aligns the brain to the action and the sound.

Now, using your imagination, we further link our writing and doodling with the brain while workin up our new brilliant idea. This skillset has been  supported by studies where children remember more using a pen and paper learn better and faster than recording information on a computer.

"Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It's disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there's something visceral about opening a letter - I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting." Steve Carrell

 

Brainstorming Equals Handwriting

Unlocking the Power of Brainstorming Through Handwriting

In the digital age where keystrokes and touchscreens dominate our communication, the age-old practice of handwriting is often disregarded as obsolete. Yet, when it comes to brainstorming—a process integral to creativity and innovation—turning back to the trusty pen and paper could be the key to unlocking our brain's fullest potential.

Recent research spearheaded by professor Audrey van der Meer from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) sheds light on why handwriting is far from being an outdated skill. In a groundbreaking study examining brain activity through EEG, Van der Meer and her team discovered that our brains are significantly more engaged when writing by hand compared to typing.

The study meticulously recorded the neural activity of participants—both young adults and children—revealing a vibrant flurry of action in the brain's sensorimotor regions during handwriting. "The use of pen and paper gives the brain more 'hooks' to hang your memories on," Van der Meer explains. This isn't just about writing; it's a multisensory experience. "A lot of senses are activated by pressing the pen on paper, seeing the letters you write, and hearing the sound you make while writing."

One Technique from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Writing Center

3 perspectives

Looking at something from different perspectives helps you see it more completely—or at least in a completely different way, sort of like laying on the floor makes your desk look very different to you. To use this strategy, answer the questions for each of the three perspectives, then look for interesting relationships or mismatches you can explore:

  1. Describe it: Describe your subject in detail. What is your topic? What are its components? What are its interesting and distinguishing features? What are its puzzles? Distinguish your subject from those that are similar to it. How is your subject unlike others?

  2. Trace it: What is the history of your subject? How has it changed over time? Why? What are the significant events that have influenced your subject?

  3. Map it: What is your subject related to? What is it influenced by? How? What does it influence? How? Who has a stake in your topic? Why? What fields do you draw on for the study of your subject? Why? How has your subject been approached by others? How is their work related to yours?

Why Use Your Handwriting?

When brainstorming, the goal is not merely to generate ideas but to connect deeply with them, to shape them in ways that align intimately with our creative visions. Handwriting, with its direct wire to the brain's sensorimotor areas, offers just that—kinesthesia. This connection is akin to a musician learning a piece on the piano or guitar, where the act itself enhances learning and memory retention.

In many ways, your handwriting connects to your brain, yes, but ultimately to your heart. So when you want to follow a goal, the heart is your true nature. Your heart pulses with enthusiasm leading your brain in the right direction.

Handwriting Connects to Our Receptors

Beyond engaging more of the brain, handwriting also activates a broader network of brain areas, including those responsible for visual processing and memory. This multisensory engagement acts as an array of 'hooks' for the brain, not just to latch onto ideas but to weave them into the fabric of memory, making them easier to recall and develop further.

The Free Flow of Handwriting

There’s something inherently liberating about the act of handwriting in the brainstorming process. Without the linear constraints of a blinking cursor on a blank digital page, handwriting allows thoughts to flow freely, to wander, and explore the uncharted territories of our imagination. It's the artist's brush in our hand, painting strokes of thought onto the canvas of reality.

Doodling is the mind and heart's way of meandering, wandering, exploring - to find the purpose on the page. And your purpose this week, this year, this life.

Staying Present

In the act of handwriting, there's a unique blend of concentration and relaxation that keeps us anchored in the present moment. This state of flow is where creativity thrives, where ideas can sprout, and connections unseen in the hustle of everyday life can reveal themselves.

Beyond the Classroom

It's worth noting that the benefits of handwriting extend beyond academic settings or creative professions. A 2021 study by Japanese researchers demonstrated that participants who wrote calendar events by hand showed more brain activity and recalled information 25% faster than those who used a smartphone for the same task. This correlates with Van der Meer's findings, suggesting that the act of handwriting aids in learning and memory across various contexts.

Despite the technological advancements that offer countless tools at our fingertips, handwriting remains an irreplaceable part of the brainstorming process. It’s not merely about nostalgia for the analog days but about leveraging every tool available to enhance our cognitive capacities. Based on the compelling evidence provided by experts like Audrey van der Meer, and studies conducted by the NTNU and researchers in Japan, it's clear that handwriting is a powerful ally in the pursuit of creativity, learning, and memory retention.

Summary

In conclusion, as we advance into an increasingly digital future, it becomes even more vital to remember the value of handwriting. Not only as a tool for communication but as an essential instrument for cultivating creativity, enhancing memory, and unlocking the full spectrum of our brain's potential. Whether you are brainstorming for the next great invention, planning a project, or simply jotting down ideas.

brainstorminghandwritingkinesthesiabrainstorming your how
blog author image

Michael Mandaville

Michael is a writer, filmmaker and dedicated World War II historian who studies martial arts, action films and is learning more about VFX every single darn day. Oh and a Scholar Warrior

Back to Blog
Writing Increases Brainstorming

How to Power Up Your Brainstorming

April 22, 20246 min read

If the skin were parchment and the blows you gave were ink, Your own handwriting would tell you what I think.

William Shakespeare

You want to brainstorm a goal, a project, a plan…a stupendously brilliant new idea! 

 How to do it best?  By hand.  That’s right.  By engaging in handwriting, doodling, drawing and other creative handiwork (neat how I worked that one in, right?), then you are engaging your brainpower in its maximum capacity.

 The use of your hand is called kinesthesia which is like a wire going straight to the brain.  If you think how the hand learns by playing a musical instrument such as a piano or a guitar, you can see that the strumming of  the guitar in relation to a music chord aligns the brain to the action and the sound.

Now, using your imagination, we further link our writing and doodling with the brain while workin up our new brilliant idea. This skillset has been  supported by studies where children remember more using a pen and paper learn better and faster than recording information on a computer.

"Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It's disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there's something visceral about opening a letter - I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting." Steve Carrell

 

Brainstorming Equals Handwriting

Unlocking the Power of Brainstorming Through Handwriting

In the digital age where keystrokes and touchscreens dominate our communication, the age-old practice of handwriting is often disregarded as obsolete. Yet, when it comes to brainstorming—a process integral to creativity and innovation—turning back to the trusty pen and paper could be the key to unlocking our brain's fullest potential.

Recent research spearheaded by professor Audrey van der Meer from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) sheds light on why handwriting is far from being an outdated skill. In a groundbreaking study examining brain activity through EEG, Van der Meer and her team discovered that our brains are significantly more engaged when writing by hand compared to typing.

The study meticulously recorded the neural activity of participants—both young adults and children—revealing a vibrant flurry of action in the brain's sensorimotor regions during handwriting. "The use of pen and paper gives the brain more 'hooks' to hang your memories on," Van der Meer explains. This isn't just about writing; it's a multisensory experience. "A lot of senses are activated by pressing the pen on paper, seeing the letters you write, and hearing the sound you make while writing."

One Technique from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Writing Center

3 perspectives

Looking at something from different perspectives helps you see it more completely—or at least in a completely different way, sort of like laying on the floor makes your desk look very different to you. To use this strategy, answer the questions for each of the three perspectives, then look for interesting relationships or mismatches you can explore:

  1. Describe it: Describe your subject in detail. What is your topic? What are its components? What are its interesting and distinguishing features? What are its puzzles? Distinguish your subject from those that are similar to it. How is your subject unlike others?

  2. Trace it: What is the history of your subject? How has it changed over time? Why? What are the significant events that have influenced your subject?

  3. Map it: What is your subject related to? What is it influenced by? How? What does it influence? How? Who has a stake in your topic? Why? What fields do you draw on for the study of your subject? Why? How has your subject been approached by others? How is their work related to yours?

Why Use Your Handwriting?

When brainstorming, the goal is not merely to generate ideas but to connect deeply with them, to shape them in ways that align intimately with our creative visions. Handwriting, with its direct wire to the brain's sensorimotor areas, offers just that—kinesthesia. This connection is akin to a musician learning a piece on the piano or guitar, where the act itself enhances learning and memory retention.

In many ways, your handwriting connects to your brain, yes, but ultimately to your heart. So when you want to follow a goal, the heart is your true nature. Your heart pulses with enthusiasm leading your brain in the right direction.

Handwriting Connects to Our Receptors

Beyond engaging more of the brain, handwriting also activates a broader network of brain areas, including those responsible for visual processing and memory. This multisensory engagement acts as an array of 'hooks' for the brain, not just to latch onto ideas but to weave them into the fabric of memory, making them easier to recall and develop further.

The Free Flow of Handwriting

There’s something inherently liberating about the act of handwriting in the brainstorming process. Without the linear constraints of a blinking cursor on a blank digital page, handwriting allows thoughts to flow freely, to wander, and explore the uncharted territories of our imagination. It's the artist's brush in our hand, painting strokes of thought onto the canvas of reality.

Doodling is the mind and heart's way of meandering, wandering, exploring - to find the purpose on the page. And your purpose this week, this year, this life.

Staying Present

In the act of handwriting, there's a unique blend of concentration and relaxation that keeps us anchored in the present moment. This state of flow is where creativity thrives, where ideas can sprout, and connections unseen in the hustle of everyday life can reveal themselves.

Beyond the Classroom

It's worth noting that the benefits of handwriting extend beyond academic settings or creative professions. A 2021 study by Japanese researchers demonstrated that participants who wrote calendar events by hand showed more brain activity and recalled information 25% faster than those who used a smartphone for the same task. This correlates with Van der Meer's findings, suggesting that the act of handwriting aids in learning and memory across various contexts.

Despite the technological advancements that offer countless tools at our fingertips, handwriting remains an irreplaceable part of the brainstorming process. It’s not merely about nostalgia for the analog days but about leveraging every tool available to enhance our cognitive capacities. Based on the compelling evidence provided by experts like Audrey van der Meer, and studies conducted by the NTNU and researchers in Japan, it's clear that handwriting is a powerful ally in the pursuit of creativity, learning, and memory retention.

Summary

In conclusion, as we advance into an increasingly digital future, it becomes even more vital to remember the value of handwriting. Not only as a tool for communication but as an essential instrument for cultivating creativity, enhancing memory, and unlocking the full spectrum of our brain's potential. Whether you are brainstorming for the next great invention, planning a project, or simply jotting down ideas.

brainstorminghandwritingkinesthesiabrainstorming your how
blog author image

Michael Mandaville

Michael is a writer, filmmaker and dedicated World War II historian who studies martial arts, action films and is learning more about VFX every single darn day. Oh and a Scholar Warrior

Back to Blog
Writing Increases Brainstorming

How to Power Up Your Brainstorming

April 22, 20246 min read

If the skin were parchment and the blows you gave were ink, Your own handwriting would tell you what I think.

William Shakespeare

You want to brainstorm a goal, a project, a plan…a stupendously brilliant new idea! 

 How to do it best?  By hand.  That’s right.  By engaging in handwriting, doodling, drawing and other creative handiwork (neat how I worked that one in, right?), then you are engaging your brainpower in its maximum capacity.

 The use of your hand is called kinesthesia which is like a wire going straight to the brain.  If you think how the hand learns by playing a musical instrument such as a piano or a guitar, you can see that the strumming of  the guitar in relation to a music chord aligns the brain to the action and the sound.

Now, using your imagination, we further link our writing and doodling with the brain while workin up our new brilliant idea. This skillset has been  supported by studies where children remember more using a pen and paper learn better and faster than recording information on a computer.

"Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It's disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there's something visceral about opening a letter - I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting." Steve Carrell

 

Brainstorming Equals Handwriting

Unlocking the Power of Brainstorming Through Handwriting

In the digital age where keystrokes and touchscreens dominate our communication, the age-old practice of handwriting is often disregarded as obsolete. Yet, when it comes to brainstorming—a process integral to creativity and innovation—turning back to the trusty pen and paper could be the key to unlocking our brain's fullest potential.

Recent research spearheaded by professor Audrey van der Meer from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) sheds light on why handwriting is far from being an outdated skill. In a groundbreaking study examining brain activity through EEG, Van der Meer and her team discovered that our brains are significantly more engaged when writing by hand compared to typing.

The study meticulously recorded the neural activity of participants—both young adults and children—revealing a vibrant flurry of action in the brain's sensorimotor regions during handwriting. "The use of pen and paper gives the brain more 'hooks' to hang your memories on," Van der Meer explains. This isn't just about writing; it's a multisensory experience. "A lot of senses are activated by pressing the pen on paper, seeing the letters you write, and hearing the sound you make while writing."

One Technique from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill - Writing Center

3 perspectives

Looking at something from different perspectives helps you see it more completely—or at least in a completely different way, sort of like laying on the floor makes your desk look very different to you. To use this strategy, answer the questions for each of the three perspectives, then look for interesting relationships or mismatches you can explore:

  1. Describe it: Describe your subject in detail. What is your topic? What are its components? What are its interesting and distinguishing features? What are its puzzles? Distinguish your subject from those that are similar to it. How is your subject unlike others?

  2. Trace it: What is the history of your subject? How has it changed over time? Why? What are the significant events that have influenced your subject?

  3. Map it: What is your subject related to? What is it influenced by? How? What does it influence? How? Who has a stake in your topic? Why? What fields do you draw on for the study of your subject? Why? How has your subject been approached by others? How is their work related to yours?

Why Use Your Handwriting?

When brainstorming, the goal is not merely to generate ideas but to connect deeply with them, to shape them in ways that align intimately with our creative visions. Handwriting, with its direct wire to the brain's sensorimotor areas, offers just that—kinesthesia. This connection is akin to a musician learning a piece on the piano or guitar, where the act itself enhances learning and memory retention.

In many ways, your handwriting connects to your brain, yes, but ultimately to your heart. So when you want to follow a goal, the heart is your true nature. Your heart pulses with enthusiasm leading your brain in the right direction.

Handwriting Connects to Our Receptors

Beyond engaging more of the brain, handwriting also activates a broader network of brain areas, including those responsible for visual processing and memory. This multisensory engagement acts as an array of 'hooks' for the brain, not just to latch onto ideas but to weave them into the fabric of memory, making them easier to recall and develop further.

The Free Flow of Handwriting

There’s something inherently liberating about the act of handwriting in the brainstorming process. Without the linear constraints of a blinking cursor on a blank digital page, handwriting allows thoughts to flow freely, to wander, and explore the uncharted territories of our imagination. It's the artist's brush in our hand, painting strokes of thought onto the canvas of reality.

Doodling is the mind and heart's way of meandering, wandering, exploring - to find the purpose on the page. And your purpose this week, this year, this life.

Staying Present

In the act of handwriting, there's a unique blend of concentration and relaxation that keeps us anchored in the present moment. This state of flow is where creativity thrives, where ideas can sprout, and connections unseen in the hustle of everyday life can reveal themselves.

Beyond the Classroom

It's worth noting that the benefits of handwriting extend beyond academic settings or creative professions. A 2021 study by Japanese researchers demonstrated that participants who wrote calendar events by hand showed more brain activity and recalled information 25% faster than those who used a smartphone for the same task. This correlates with Van der Meer's findings, suggesting that the act of handwriting aids in learning and memory across various contexts.

Despite the technological advancements that offer countless tools at our fingertips, handwriting remains an irreplaceable part of the brainstorming process. It’s not merely about nostalgia for the analog days but about leveraging every tool available to enhance our cognitive capacities. Based on the compelling evidence provided by experts like Audrey van der Meer, and studies conducted by the NTNU and researchers in Japan, it's clear that handwriting is a powerful ally in the pursuit of creativity, learning, and memory retention.

Summary

In conclusion, as we advance into an increasingly digital future, it becomes even more vital to remember the value of handwriting. Not only as a tool for communication but as an essential instrument for cultivating creativity, enhancing memory, and unlocking the full spectrum of our brain's potential. Whether you are brainstorming for the next great invention, planning a project, or simply jotting down ideas.

brainstorminghandwritingkinesthesiabrainstorming your how
blog author image

Michael Mandaville

Michael is a writer, filmmaker and dedicated World War II historian who studies martial arts, action films and is learning more about VFX every single darn day. Oh and a Scholar Warrior

Back to Blog

SCHOLAR WARRIOR WAY - COURSES

Scholar Warrior Way

Take Action to Transform Yourself

By taking the Scholar Warrior Way Course, you will get Michael's program for Self-Improvement in his pursuit of Creative Excellence in Writing, Filmmaking, Martial arts and his other pursuits from his major curious outlook. Here are the 7 Steps that he uses....

  • Powerful Why - the Key to Enthusiasm and Fulfillment

  • Scholar Warrior Identity - Embracing the new Mentality - now!

  • Your Morning Routine - Starting the day Right.

  • Brainstorming Your How - Strategy thinking and tactics

  • Create Your Own Systems - Become efficient with predictable results

  • Building Transforming Habits - Habit creates Destiny

  • The Art of Sleep - Long ignored but a necessary health break.

Levels 1, 2 and 3 - Detailing and add more videos, wisdom, resources and Learning Materials for your Growth and Self-Improvement.

FAQS

What is The Purpose of the "ScholarWarriorWay" ?

By engaging in the mental perspective of the Scholar Warrior, you embrace two aspects of your life: The Scholar with a constant focus on self-development and self-improvement. The Warrior whereby you learn techniques about courage, action and derring-do to achieve your true authentic goals for a fulfilled life.

How much does Scholar Warrior Way cost?

The cost of could be absolutely no money if you just want to get on our newsletter to read the various articles on the website. If you want to take the courses on various levels, then you might spend $200-300 per year. Think of it this way: If you could improve yourself 100-200-300-1000-3600% in a single year, then how much is it worth? The price of two meals and drinks at a restaurant that you'll never remember? Make a better life choice.

How do I know I work with the ScholarWarriorWay?

ScholarWarriorWay is broken down into 7 Major Strategies. You can pick one and work on it for a few weeks, then add another strategies. They start with the Powerful Why and end with the Art of Sleep.