Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting that you (or anybody) needs permission to doodle. Quite the contrary. In fact, I believe that doodling is a fundamental human right. No, a biological necessity!
Really, doodling just might be the single most important distinguishing characteristic of humanity, distinguishing us from the undoodling beasties.
But, if you’re first reaction when asked, “How do you doodle?” is anxiety, guilt, shame and all sorts of even more cramping inner anguish, then I’m going to set you free. I’m going to loose the shackles of shame by giving you permission to doodle.
Permission to Doodle
If you’re at all like me you’ve learned over the years to hide or sublimate your doodling instinct.
“Focus!” “Stop doodling and start taking notes.” “Are you paying attention? This is important.” “Stop wasting time…”
I’ll share some interesting new research with you in the weeks ahead, research that suggests doodling is actually a great way to focus, to pay attention, to take notes. It turns out that doodling may be a whole lot more important that some of those lessons and meetings.
After being trained not to doodle for so long, I’m here to give you permission. In fact, not only do I grant you long overdue permission to doodle, I encourage you to doodle. Go grab a scrap of paper and a pen or pencil and start doodling. You’ll feel like a child on a bicycle, giddy with excitement, certain that you’re getting away with something really, really risque. Enjoy!
Related articles
- The Power of the Doodle: Improve Your Focus and Memory (online.wsj.com)
- How Doodling Can Make You More Successful (entrepreneur.com)
- Love Me Doodle… Is doodling good for our brains? (metro.co.uk)
- Food for Thought Friday: Do You Get Mad at Kids Doodling? (dasdivy.wordpress.com)
- Essex Doodles Weekly: We Want You to Doodle Essex! (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Why the Pen is Mightier than the Laptop (quickbase.intuit.com)
- You Are Your Doodles (studiosfc.wordpress.com)
- Doodling Helps Me Pay Attention (balzerdesigns.typepad.com)
- Why you should doodle in meetings (cbsnews.com)
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