![]() Doodling as a superpowerĭoodling often gets a bad rap, especially when it comes to perceptions around productivity. Discover more fun and historic doodles in the book Scrawl: An A to Z of Famous Doodles. Doodling, as it turns out, is a common form of thinking and listening for many people-especially creatives like me.ĭetail, doodle by Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of Prussia (1795). ![]() Then I did some research and discovered I wasn’t alone. And it worked: I got to have my visual aid and everyone else got to think I was taking notes-albeit in the wrong direction (but luckily, nobody ever said anything). In fact, I had so much trouble directing my attention and keeping my focus that I actually taught myself to write backwards (true story!) during meetings so that I could better concentrate. ![]() But looking engaged is not the same thing as being engaged. I was, after all, looking directly at the speaker. ![]() And the thing is-as far as everyone at the table was concerned, I was engaged. Rather, it’s my way of active listening-as if drawing were an extension of the conversation.īut after getting called out, in subsequent meetings I sat quietly with my hands in my lap and tried to pay attention. Because for me, scribbling away on paper when I’m concentrating isn’t intentional. (I also got in trouble for laughing too loudly, but I digress.) Turns out, my doodling was interpreted as “rude” and “disrespectful.” And honestly, at the time, I didn’t even realize I was doing it. Many years ago, I worked in an office where I was reprimanded for doodling during meetings. Turns out, when I need to pay attention, I need to draw. Neither was just passively sitting and listening. I’ve been doodling all my life-in class lectures, phone calls, and staff meetings. It helps me concentrate and retain information. Because for me, doodling is paying attention. Maybe you shrugged it off as something “designers do.” But make no mistake: I’m not checked out. If you’ve been in a meeting with me then you’ve seen me doodling.
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