How to Improve your Clarity of Thought ("Writing is Thinking")
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- Check out my TED talk (over 4M views): "The Discipline of Finishing: Conor Neill at TEDxUniversidaddeNavarra"
• The Discipline of Fini...
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Clarity of thought leads to many benefits. How do you improve the clarity of your thought? Writing is the path to better, clearer thinking.
Writing is a powerful form of persuasion. If you can master writing, you can make a bigger difference in this world. Ideas on paper travel far. I share two big tips that I have learnt over my last 10 years as I have written more and more. Tip #1 will always get you off to a quick start. Tip #2 will allow you to avoid writer's block and complete your documents quickly.
When I was a child, I was always asking too many questions and being distracted by everything that moves around. So, dad told me to write what I think about it. So, I started to create visual connections with what I write and later on, I become an artist. Now, I am doing a Ph.D. about how to improve education by visuals.
Mind maps are the b 0mb
For me, visuals have always been the key to learning. Not enough attention was given to this key aspect of learning in my time.
@@caliom8427 That is true
It is good to have a wise father.
How good to have a wise Dad!
Writing is thinking. Editing is refining and clarifying. All great writing is rewriting. Vomit out a bad first draft and afterwards, improve upon it. Many thanks for this great advice. Allowing oneself the freedom to be bad at first, eliminates all writer's block. Cheers!
You nailed it with the summary. Bad first draft is the aim.
One of my favorite quotes is H. Rickover's “Nothing so sharpens the thought process as writing down one's arguments. Weaknesses overlooked in oral discussion become painfully obvious on the written page”
yes, painful at times :)
I love this quote from H Rickover. Writing... allows me to see my arguments from a distance... and see the holes, the strengths, the weaknesses... thanks for sharing the quote
@@ConorNeill
But if in a particular moment I can't write? As you said, for example I'm philosophizing, thinking... How do I clarify it in my mind? A memory palace? That could be interesting? 🤔
@@ConorNeill pp
"Vomitting out a bad first draft and iterating it through many times to edit" is a key takeaway for me. It will help not to procastinate. Thanks a lot for sharing.
Yeah but in high school we’re expected to make a great first draft😔
@@Gaeisok I suppose to submit a first draft you would have to start with a bad first draft then work on it a bit and submit. I don't think it necessarily means you need to submit your work as and when you first draft.
@@jayani6584 I live in Ireland. We basically have one test at the end of school that determines what uni u go to. So I won’t have time to write a second draft
nothing to joke about
I rewrite my goals and everytime I do that there something magic happens. It becomes more updated and my mind and body has a positive vibration effect when I reread it.
Writing causes thinking and thinking creates an image.
For the first time in my life , I love to write my thoughts and rewrite it and that makes it more valuable.
I'll be more glad if you achieve yours. You're exactly where you're supposed to be whether you believe it or not.
I always hear that advice from the experts/professionals and from the therapist.
Embrace failure. Make friends with failure because you can't become the best version of yourself by playing it safe.
Document your mistakes and failed attempts. Put that into writing. Writing creates an image in your mind. Paint those on your mind with words. Again... write it. Rewrite it.
Peace and love ❤️ advance merry Christmas
How do I use writting for scrip to ing a sales pitch?it was wonderful learning about writing
This used to work for me. Unfortunately, these days I feel as if every time I write out my goals I’m just wasting my time because I notice I’m not receiving the same motivation as before. Not sure if you’ve hit this plateau before but do you have any tips?
Many people really want to learn and improve themselves. You just make it easier for them with your eloquent videos. Thanks Conor for your efforts!
“This” is a good prompt for writing my comment and other projects
This video changed my life in so many ways so thank you. I used to have very unstructured thoughts and I never knew how to verbalize them but using the this technique alone changed the whole game for me. Much gratitude to you man now I can write infinite rap verses and poems and poetry without running out of quality structured material. And this is a truly incredible feeling.
This re-writing was an important reminder. I read on a very good, famous small book. I read that it was re-written over fifty times. That was on mainreason it is so good! This reminds me that I have to write my important writings and speeches tens of time. Very important speeches more than fifty times - and ofcourse I have to practice many times each version of those very important speeches. Thank You!
Can you please tell me the name of the book? I'd like to read it too
Name of the book?
Name of the book please?
You are a gold mine of extremely important information! Thank you for all your videos! Your students are lucky to have you as their teacher.
5:55 onward: he's right. the more i try to re-writing the same draft for my speech, the better it gets. It's a great experience.
Yep same with my online data profile 🥵
Well writing is art of developing more clearity in thoughts process.
If you learn any language speaking alone will not give you more strength.
Writing is best art through which we can develop thought process.
Thank you, do you mind sharing some of your writings
And there’s the occasional thinking faster than you’re writing which is often complicated or made worse in today’s world where often than not writing is no more about putting a pen on paper. The subtle and often overlooked differences in time(transitioning thoughts to written words), though minute, that exist between “writing on a phone or computer keyboard” or typing and actually putting a pen to paper, further potentiates the time lag that exists for us who think faster than we write and gives those probably reading your writings in real time an illusion of dyslexia (when in real sense it’s only mistakes that is bound to come with a first draft)
Excellent advice for motivating lazy perfectionists, who start writing but give up after writing a little , feeling dejected at their lack of perfection. As you put it so well, expressing ideas to make a first draft is the begining of writing, which requires intensive editing, rewriting, and checking for factual accuracy , before it is ready for publishing.
Write down your thoughts as it'll give you a clearer understanding & structure in your idaes & thoughts.
1. Start writing on OneNote/document with "This"
- It will give you & readers/listeners a clear sense of what the content is about.
2. Separate writing from editing.
- Write down all the ideas and thoughts coming in your mind first, then take out time to edit & restructure later.
- Once you've written down all your thoughts, take out time to reiterate & edit the document 1st time, 2nd time, 3rd time.
- The more revisits the document gets, the better it gets.
Thank you for this video :)
This has provided me the necessary steps to begin my journey in achieving a professional level of clarity in thoughts into speech. I've always struggled to communicate my thoughts to others in a clear manner. Always struggling to find the right words to explain my thoughts. After going so much research, I've finally found the source of my problem. It will help me overcome the stereotype of being a Black man who lacks the ability to express himself clearly. Thank you, Mr. Neil.
Awesome to have you here in the channel community. Sending you energy!
Kenbe fèm !
Thank you Conor for your knowledge, really appreciated. This is something I do a lot of and some times i procrastinate a lot more than I should when writing. ......I call it writers brainstorming.....
Thanks! Your lesson is enough, to subscribe you.
Lesson 1: writing is thinking.
Lesson 2: Speaking what you thought. Thought written then speak, all well said I am new to what you have to say but I like you saying great things. Once again thanks.
Clear, interesting process. Yes, writing does reveal, clarify, ink in reality.
You , use , too , many , commas
It is my main way of forming my thoughts, Nialee Mass.
I do love the points you've mentioned - separate editing from writing and if you don't know what to write, start with "this".
When I was in college, I stopped writing because I felt like I wasn't producing any great articles, and I realize it was because I was judging myself while writing to the point that I got convinced that writing was not for me. But because of this, I'm compelled to write again - and this time, I don't care whether I'll write a shitty first draft.
I just realized recently that I’m not exploring much because I keep judging myself. I really am my worst enemy.
True
I learned a lot from this video - especially distinguishing between the writing/editing part.
Agreed!!!
Spot on! Thank you for your excellent advice, Conor!
I just discovered your channel and signed up.
As for writing tips, one difficulty in expressing my ideas to a large audience is to figure out who exactly I write this for. When your audience is large, (and you want to reach to the maximum number of people), you must have an idea of "Your Target Reader", otherwise you spend too much time doubting and going in circles. In the age of disinformation, propaganda, etc., I am at the point of not only keeping My Target Reader's profile in mind (I suppose that in the above video, you refer to them as THIS), but also figuring out the lower and the upper limit of the audience.
"The lower limit" would be the type of people who are likely to misunderstand/pervert/take your words out of context + adding some of their false interpretations. Some may do it unaware, while others ON PURPOSE. At the limit, I want to prevent poor copy cat behavior.
"The upper limit" refers to the audience who is either well educated/experts/find your information useful and want to put it to a good use. At the limit, they can advance your knowledge of the subject, but they will get impatient if you spell things out too much.
Of course, it's impossible to guess upfront how many of the three types you will have in your pool of readers, and you want 1) to reach out to the maximum number of people; 2) provide useful information to those who need it the most; 3) prevent misuse/misunderstanding and 4) solicit useful feedback from the competent readers.
How do you solve this problem? Any tips?
Really needed this personal conviction. For some reason, I've stopped journaling or taking notes on lectures and strongly feel that lack has extended/compounded the chaos, confusion, and pain I've had to deal with during the worst years of my life.
I was surfing through the internet about a video that can help me take hold of all the storming of thoughts that goes through my mind. And I found just the right video. Thank you so much for sharing such invaluable information and experiences.
Hi Conor, thanks again for your gift. I listen to you at the beginning of my day. Listening to you helps me settle in and focus on making my day productive. Thanks again.
i posted a picture on insta and i wanted to write something meaningful underneath it . i wrote the first line and the second ,but then i stuck so i went on CZcams to see if people have same struggles as i do. your video came fist so there where i found your channel and i'm very glad i found it.........thank you for showing me the difference between writing and editing. let me get back to what i was writing and get it done.
Thanks so much Conor. The second tip is a game changer for me!
this is brilliant, and allows me to better understand where I struggle. thank you
I will apply those tips while I prepare drafts for my blog. I applied some of the principles mentioned in your video on 'how to deal objection' and it helps me way beyond my expectations. I am very grateful for your lectures. Thanks and God bless you.
I'm really lucky to have found your videos Conor. You're a great speaker with brilliant ideas.
This is to say that your video has given me a wonderful insight on the art of writing. Though I have been writing now and then but it has always proved to be a big challenge to put words on paper for the reason that I had been writing and editing simultaneously. But now armed with your advice that just vomit a bad draft first and then iterate it many times over. I am sure it will work wonders and writing will be a real joy!
Thanks a ton.
You are a genius Conor, i am very happy to have found your channel.
I just discover your channel today, and I feel as if I've been missing out. All your videos are so inspiring! I have always been struggling with how to master my writing skill. It takes me too long to put my thought on paper. And now I understand, I have been writing and editing at the same time! You are genius! I am excited to try out your 2 advises, and see how it will improve my writing speed.
Thank you for sharing and please give more advices on how to improve your language and word choice in writing.
Best.
I am having the same feeling
@@ConorNeill i wish a long and prosperous life to you ...
with lots of beautiful people around you.
God bless you
Believe it or not the first surah( the surah after the praise of allah) in Quran starts with "This"..."This is a book without any doubt"
@@riddiculous13rimon descartes had kinda the same idea
@@vmbee me too i just saw this this video. this i like that word this.
When the student is ready the Teacher/Master will appear, thank you, Mr C.Neill, I have just found my teacher, your work is inspirational.
I’m so excited to discover your channel. Your advices are valuable. Love the way you talk look kind. Thank you so much!! You’re the best!!
If there's anything I took from this video, it's that " if there's no draft there's nothing to improve on". Thank you very much sir.
Thank you Conor, this is certainly gonna help me as I write my next email, workshop draft or a proposal. I generally struggle to finalize a draft and publish the outcome. Now I understand why.... I'm writing and editing at the same time. Greatful :)
This was a very enlightening video. Trying to capture true clarity of thought is something writers since time immemorial have struggled to accomplish.
It's so natural and genuine the way you deliver your idea. Like it!
Thank you Sir Neill for making me understand that I need to write first before I could edit. This will really help me in my writing skills for my own reviews.
Writing is powerful, for the reader and for the writer.
Oh!my goodness...this is so what i needed...for all my life staring as a child i was told to be quiet because i annoyed everyone with questions and was fidgety...couldn't be still and my thoughts just didn't want to cooperate with my mouth...i actually stopped talking for a very long time...i lived in books because when you're different to the point where trying to talk doesn't make sense to others...they think you're stupid. Even now as an adult it is difficult. i do appreciate this gratefully. This has come at a time where i need to talk about something that's been really bothering with some individuals in the assembly i attend. Thank you for this advice...
this thing i just watched I think it gonna change my whole perspective on writing with clarity. Thank you sir
Excellent!
Thanks Connor. I always knew this but explaining it with such clarity as you have has been a huge help for me, you seem to be able to make the penny drop. Thank you
Tony Hurst z
This podcast it open up my eyes to a few things that I was doing incorrectly, Thank you for sharing the information, I will keep my eyes open for your next video.
Oo you started with “this” i see you
Thank you. You've fully affirmed my believe that to be able to write about anything, particularly a mixture of thoughts on any subject matter, is true thinking. I talk the least, I don't have a social life like others commonly do, as I only keep a handful of friends or acquaintances. To observe is also to note.
Thank you for some informations about writing good ideas.
I'm writing something big/hard now and have taken a break to watch this again to motivate me to slog on. :) I keep coming back to this, and recommending it to colleagues and friends. It's great. Thanks, Conor!
Great to hear that Coco ;-)
This, is a very insightful video. I've taken notes, and increased my writing and thinking ability in less than 10 minutes.
Thank you for the lesson,
I start to write my stuff base on your advice.
As usual have a great week.
Thank you - informative, helpful, and delivered in a clear, engaging, personable manner.
Great amount of clarity on “writing is thinking” , a wonderful tool very well explained. Thank You Conor sir, ❤
I only register on CZcams to be able to let you know that this is an incredible advice and it really helped me write an important essay. Thank you
This is my encouragement to articulate my medical work in writing.😊
Loved the idea of writing everything first, letting it be crappy. Will practise it.
Exactly what I needed to be motivated to keep writing. Separate writing from editing. Thank you
The first statement really got the message through perfectly.
Could you please make a video on how to keep pace with our thoughts while talking(you know those moments when we have a particular word in mind and end up saying a different thing).
Good question! Thank you 🙏
I really like the idea of writing/dumping/first draft thoughts and then editing/rewriting ... brilliant!
Great to hear... hope you will pick up your pencil!
Great advice and tools.
As a visual thinker I find well used power points (rare as they are) can be very effective tools.
In the end it is about good storytelling that sets a context and conveys clear engaging points.
Thank you for sharing this advice and your experience in writing. Writing down my thoughts has been a strugle for me during my career, i have alot of ideas that i cant express well, this affected my career. I have realised recently that the problem is my writing, i will follow your tips on writing first draft and then editing. Thanks again
Amazing! Please can you give a demo of how to write that first draft so quickly. That would be very helpful. Thanks
Starting a journal to practice writing regularly. I am starting a blog and discovering this post today was very educational. Thank you.
Really enjoyed your video - can't agree more with the distinction between powerpoint and writing. Thank you for sharing!
This helped a lot! I was looking for motivation on my essays, then found this video. Now, I won't struggle to do essays anymore.
Wonderfully explained how to structure your thoughts, management concept and art of writing. What makes its wonderful is the simplicity.
Splendid! Thank you for covering the topic of writing and sharing your thoughts with us on it. It's really helpful.
So good. Couldn't agree more. I liken it to having the pieces to the puzzle in a box. There's no way you will ever make sense of them in the box. You must pour the pieces out. Then once out, you can put together the pieces. The thoughts in our minds are never made sense of thoroughly until we pour them out in the form of words like you said. Then we are able to join together the words which will then make sense of our thoughts. The very word articulate means to join together. Very good word sir, thank you again.
Another thing is that you inspire me to do my videos. The way you carry yourself, so friendly, competent and relaxed, I really like that.
Very clearly explained . Thnks Professor.
I'm so glad I'm on the right track then. I always thought I'm a bad overburdened writer. But thanks to this video, it seems my technique is right anyway. I always vomit every thought I have then edit later on, and takes several rewritings.
Thank you for this wisdom
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and advice
U r awsome, they way u say it caught all my attention automagically, and the content is very valuable.. Thanks alot👍
Good ideas. I like to write stream of consciousness. Then I go back and edit. I use this in business writing, and it worked well.
Thank you! This is very clear and detailed.
Ini watched this video in my second year of PhD and subscribed to the channel, CZcams recommended it again, I’m not complaining 🥰
Some of the best writing advise I’ve heard. Thanks
Some people are motivational speaker just for money, but he is really really a motivational and also inspirational speaker. Just i love him...what a good lovable man....!
This is Awesome. I never made the distinction between writing and editing in the way that he described above. This changes everything
I am so lucky that I have subscribed one of the best channels. Thank you for your videos which are so ingenious and stunning
It’s wonderful to hear this! Thank you!
Love it! Practical, humorous, easy to listen to. OnPoint! Thank you
Thank you for your guidance. I now know why I've been indefinitely stuck and moving at such a slow pace. I've been writing and editing instead of writing then editing. The more you know...
I have a million different notebooks or notepads started with a few pages of contents and never follow up. Instead of starting a new one for some new things, I have just now wrote “This is ...” on the first page (I usually leave 1st page blank) to identify what this note book is about. I may still have a million different notebooks and notepads for different things, but at least now they are defined and I know which one to follow up to.
You, sir, have just given me clarify with a simple 4-letter word amid my chaos.
Thank you!
This is good content to discover. The process of writing ideas down has always been effective at helping bringing from my head into existence but with this new guidance my ideas will improve in clarity and I will be able to force out every possible way to tackle the challenges Ive faced along the way...
Excellent distinction between Writing and Thinking. My mind works the same way. I can't think anything through unless I'm writing about it. I also like the personal touch in your video (e.g., the pleasure you show from daughter's artwork in your writing pad). This will make you all the more accessible to my students. I'm going to incorporate, in my lesson plans, your suggestion to begin with "This...." It's a brilliant idea.
Last note: I had no idea Jeff Bezos eschewed PowerPoint, and made his team members silently READ for 20 minutes before beginning the meeting. I guess I just assumed Bezos was a "techie" and would embrace all the bells and whistles offered today. I have a new respect for Bezos now.
Great stuff! Thank you.
Neill - You are authentic and superb !! thanks for doing what you do for your audience.
Thank you 🙏
Very helpful video Conor. I just learnt few new things and certainly going to apply in my day to day work. Thanks!
I promise I will do my writing exercise tomorrow morning again. Thanks a lot Conor
What Does R.W.R. means?
TIA
Thanks for this video. I write entirely to find out what is on my mind, what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I'm seeing, and what it means. 👌
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on writing. Those are additional points to remember when writing.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much for this wonderful and great advice!
Hi, Just today I came upon your channel. Enjoyed your advice. I am a songwriter. You have help me clarify why I struggle so much with writer's block. I feel like as I am writing or trying to write something on paper, I get stuck. I am so critical of every word. This is in the beginning. Now I will try not to be so critical in my early.stages. I like the idea of just pouring out my initial thoughts and not edit myself too early. Thank you for this great advice.
This made my day..
Thank you so much for helping me figure the problem with my reluctance to write 🙏
I've always been a writer in business, note taking constantly in every meeting, journaling in my calendar, trying to write down the key points I might want to make. Noticing others usually didn't note take and write, I often wondered if this extra work I do was worth it, or if it was just my personality, a trait, but not necessarily a benefit in business. But seeing this, I feel my instinct was right, writing is worth it to clarify though just as he says. It is easy to sort of talk around something and make it sound good, but won't always stand up under analysis. But writing it down, forces the truth to come out, and you have to think clear, and then write clear and communicate off of that, in order to make concise clear communication and positive impacts in business. Conner Neill make a great point here.... This really is a game changer. thanks
Sir, I appreciate your time to make this video. I learned 10 minutes worth of a lifetime experience.
I just found your video today, and it's right on time. Months after my husband bought a Smith Corona typewriter, my first typewriter, I placed it in the living room is the best choice to force me to stay away from my PC and potential distractions from the internet and to produce all the words, all the crap by typing them in the blank paper. I never thought it would be life-changing it was for me to have one to fully understand the meaning and differentiation of writing and editing.
I can't edit on the typewriter. So, during the first few days of using it, I noticed how slow I could finish a page. When I watched your video today, I have an a-ha moment. What I did was trying to question, to be aware of how perfectionism plays at the moment when I had nothing but a piece of paper and a typewriter. Sometimes, a notebook on the side to review my notes. I was trying to create a masterpiece, well, in fact, it was too early for that.
Another thing I realized is how today's PC can confuse writers to writing and editing, thinking one can write a "perfect" piece in one sitting. Producing great content, whatever it is, be a blog post, content for clients, email, etc., takes time. Yet, thanks to the PCs and laptops, we find ourselves falling short into the traps of writer's block without knowing why. Unfortunately, I have succumbed to the same path over and over again, trying to find ways to resolve this problem.
After watching your presentation, I feel grateful for my husband, who thought of buying me one to fulfill my childhood wishes. Only to find out how meaningful it would be for me beyond gratifying my desire to own one. My typewriter is a witness of how desperate I was to be perfect when I was supposed to be authentic with myself through my thoughts.
Thank you for your patience and for sparing a few minutes to read this comment. I know you're a busy person. However, I can't help but share my story and my thoughts about the video with you. It's a nice and meaningful way to start my day today. :)
Haha love your story! It’s true a typewriter allows you to write with no edit and no email, Facebook, twitter... ;-) wise man your husband!
@@ConorNeill Thank you, Conor. 😍
This is definitely another favourite of mine. Thank you.
I’m always having thoughts and interesting ideas but have never gone through the editing process that much except when I’m writing poetry;. It is stimulating to me though. My life has been a lot of struggle and now just getting to the point of having time and space to do this. Thanks for the insight.
Very helpful while I'm writing my own book. Thank you!
AMAZING as usual! Thank you for shinning light.
Thank you Conor i am so enjoying all your videos, what an inspiration