I’m a Sucker for Productivity Tools but Only this One Thing Ever Worked

I once saw a review of a piece of software that promised to revolutionize the way people write. Its power lay in the ability to open up multiple, independent windows allowing you to skip between several writing projects. I thought it would suddenly make me super-productive, possibly prolific, writing stories, articles, and novels as fast as I could type, and all in parallel with each other.

This was thirty years ago, when the concept of using “multiple windows” on the screen was fairly novel. There was a steady stream of tools coming out, and old DOS tools being reborn for the Mac or Windows. Somehow, this tool stood out from the crowd. Except It was a total crock of crapola.

If anything, the multiple writing windows were a distraction. I was confused about how to use it. I felt like a fool for not knowing how to take advantage of the tool.

Productivity plummeted.

I couldn’t even get my money back.

But I think of this fool’s folly often, which helps remind me of the one thing that promises to help you tap into your creativity and increase productivity.

A decade before I bought the multi-window writing tool, I took a class on creative writing. One bit of advice was to spend time each day with yourself, avoiding distraction as best as possible, and free write. Jot down what came to mind.

Don’t think too much about what you’re writing, went the advice. Just write.

Despite knowing this advice, I hadn’t stuck to it consistently. Having fallen out of the habit, I thought I needed something to boost my creativity.

I was looking for a gimmick for creativity. But the gimmick made things worse.

Fifteen years ago, I sought help for my creative writing. I’d been thrashing about for decades and didn’t have much to show for it.

I attended workshops, took classes, read books. One of the practices mentioned consistently was to journal. Set aside some time each day and write just for yourself. It’s not anything to publish or submit. Just write.

Slowly, as trusted experts and mentors repeated the advice, that practice took root with me and became a routine.

The routine of writing in a quiet place has helped me immensely. I’m better able to tap into my creativity.

The funny thing is, now that I’m in tune with my thinking, and I’ve learned to deal with distractions, and I know how to tap into my creativity, I think I could use that goofy multi-window tool for writing.

Currently, I use Obsidian for first drafts of things, and I skip around to multiple projects, idea surfing, writing snippets and sections here and there.

What is a fun frolic with creative ideas now was made possible by acquiring the routine of journaling in (mostly) solitude without any purpose of that writing other than the act of writing down my thoughts.

I think it works for other disciplines, such as art or music, though you may supplement with drawings and playing around with a guitar or what have you.

But if you want to write things, journaling is the best way to develop your creative and critical thinking. The gimmicks can wait.