If you want to THINK better, this 11-minute video explains the most effective and efficient way to do that. As the video title reveals, it’s all about “old school” paper.
Yes, get your pens or pencils and paper out of your desk drawer, it’s time to put your thinking hat on…
Video Summary
This video outlines six key principles to think more clearly and effectively than 99% of people, emphasizing the critical role of writing and externalizing thoughts in developing higher-order thinking skills grounded in psychological research and personal experience to improve cognitive clarity, creativity, and learning.
Core Concepts To Radically Improve Your Active Thinking Skills
- Information vs. Wisdom:
- Information is abundant and cheap but does not inherently make you smarter.
- The learning cycle moves from Information → Knowledge → Understanding → Intelligence → Wisdom.
- Wisdom is actionable knowledge and is accessible now through active application, not just accumulated age.
- Externalising Thoughts Through Writing:
Writing moves you beyond raw information to intelligence by externalising thoughts, which frees working memory and fosters deeper reasoning.
The 6 Principles To Better Thinking, Understanding, Retention And Recall
The 6 Principles In More Detail
- Principle 1:
Working memory is limited to four items. Writing these down frees cognitive load and reveals hidden flaws in reasoning. The “collapse” of an idea when externalised is actually a sign of deeper thinking. - Principle 2:
Referencing the 2016 “drawing effect” study, drawing leads to nearly double recall compared to writing words alone. The author demonstrates this through a “sunshine growth model” drawing exercise, which people find clarifying and actionable. Want to turbocharge your understanding? Mindmap your thoughts! - Principle 3:
The 2014 study “pen is mightier than the keyboard” shows typing generates more words but less processing depth, while handwriting’s slower pace creates a “desirable difficulty,” forcing comprehension and retention. - Principle 4:
Writing is not just note-taking but an essential part of Kohl’s learning cycle, involving experience, reflection, conceptualization, and experimentation. Writing helps convert passive reading into active application. - Principle 5:
Based on distributed cognition theory and research by Carl Wik, thinking is a system that includes tools and environment. Action (writing) precedes clarity, so generating many rough ideas first enables refinement and insight. - Principle 6:
Private writing, studied by James Pennebaker, improves health, cognition, and academic performance by helping construct coherent narratives from emotional or chaotic data. It also promotes metacognition—the ability to critically evaluate your own thoughts.
Practical Things You Can Do Right Away
- Carry a notebook and handwrite notes, compressing and rephrasing ideas rather than transcribing verbatim.
- Use drawing as a tool to visualize frameworks and concepts.
- After learning, write a one-page summary detailing what was learned and how it will be applied.
- When stuck, write out all options or ideas, including bad ones, to generate clarity.
- Start a daily private writing practice (10 minutes) focused on processing emotions, chaotic thoughts, or confusion, then review for assumptions and contradictions.
- Avoid writing only for polished publication or social media, as this limits authentic processing and exploration.
Key Terms You Want To Commit To Memory
Conclusion
The video emphasises that thinking on paper—through handwriting, drawing, and private writing—is fundamental to clearer, deeper thought and learning. By externalising and synthesising ideas, embracing cognitive limitations, and actively engaging with material, you can significantly improve your intelligence and wisdom beyond superficial information consumption. The practices recommended foster creativity, problem-solving, and self-awareness, providing a practical roadmap to thinking better than the vast majority.
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