Leo的恒河沙

Capturing Frequent and Random Inspirations in Daily Life: How I Built a "Self-Consistent" Writing Process - Minority#

#Omnivore

Highlights#

• Randomly collect writing inspirations from daily life.
• Read others' books to gain knowledge and take notes to internalize them into permanent notes.
• Actively collide new knowledge with old knowledge to generate updated ideas.
• Select themes from all inspirations, outline, and identify usable information.
• Start writing on a blank page, reasonably revise the previously selected outline and information based on inspirations generated during writing, and produce a draft.
• Re-examine the manuscript as a reader and critic, correcting typos and awkward sentences, as well as unreasonable and supplementary areas, to produce the final version. ⤴️ ^cb2dfe07

Interesting, this is a production structure centered on writing, aimed at producing articles, which differs from my purpose but can be referenced.

Planning is about controlling the external completion time of tasks, while writing is not a rational linear process. The generation of inspiration is spontaneous, unpredictable, and often requires switching attention, such as recording, associating, refining, and wordplay. What we really need is not a plan, but a process. ⤴️ ^9b11894f

It is actually a plan and process for handling real-time random events.

• Flash notes
• Reading, thinking, generating ideas
• Recording connections between permanent notes and notes
• Selecting themes and delineating usable inspirations
• Completing the draft
• Proofreading the final version ⤴️ ^fa126a41

• Flash notes
• Reading, thinking, generating ideas
• Recording connections between permanent notes and notes
• Selecting themes and delineating usable inspirations
• Completing the draft
• Proofreading the final version ⤴️ ^b872d31e

• Flash notes
• Reading, thinking, generating ideas
• Recording connections between permanent notes and notes
• Selecting themes and delineating usable inspirations
• Completing the draft
• Proofreading the final version ⤴️ ^ea77d7e9

The first two points are already what I am doing, but I haven't recorded the connections between permanent notes and notes, or perhaps my reading materials are too fragmented now, which needs to be changed by adjusting the structure of my reading content. The latter three points belong to the realm of writing, which I don't plan to delve into for now.

This is the most important step in the entire writing process. Writing down ideas and taking notes is not difficult; the real challenge is thinking. ⤴️ ^2180ad2c

Connecting new concepts with old concepts helps us remember, and it is the foundation for generating idea collisions. ⤴️ ^9e6f5e16

I actually do this unconsciously; I occasionally connect previous concepts with the concepts I am currently reading in my notes, using analogies or other forms.

Connecting new concepts with old concepts helps us remember, and it is the foundation for generating idea collisions. ⤴️ ^b1bfda00

Method: Write down each permanent note in your own words and context, and look for related notes in your old note library, placing them underneath or generating links. ⤴️ ^e31b689f

I haven't done this, which may also be why there aren't many backlinks in my notes. I can think of ways to improve this; the tag system I am currently using seems a bit rough.

Write down your to-dos; they are the pests of attention. ⤴️ ^6941b6d1

I strongly agree; the role of GTD is to take things out of your head.

But willpower is a brain resource that can be depleted. ⤴️ ^c5041dc8

Willpower is a limited and precious resource that should not be wasted casually. Try to create an environment that does not require willpower support, so that when you truly need willpower, you have it available.

Zuckerberg and Cook almost always wear gray T-shirts and jeans. Sometimes we even think they never change clothes; in reality, their wardrobes may have a dozen identical outfits. The purpose is to avoid making decisions in the morning, not wasting attention, willpower, and energy on trivial matters first thing in the morning. So, avoid making repetitive and meaningless decisions, and focus your energy on important decisions and tasks. ⤴️ ^d77e98d9

This is similar to decision-making; putting both decision-making and willpower on important matters saves them on other levels.

Capturing Frequent and Random Inspirations in Daily Life: How I Built a "Self-Consistent" Writing Process

Matrix Homepage Recommendation

Matrix is a writing community of Minority, where we advocate sharing authentic product experiences and practical insights. We periodically select the highest quality articles from Matrix to showcase the most genuine experiences and viewpoints from users.

The article represents the author's personal views, and Minority has only made slight modifications to the title and layout.

First, let me introduce myself. I am a part-time online writer and also try to share some thoughts on Minority. For a period, I have been trying to find a universal method for writing. Sometimes, I can write continuously for a whole morning without interruption, but more often, I struggle to immerse myself in the context and feel that many sentences are not smooth. Therefore, I have been searching for a method and process that allows me to write immersively. I used to take it for granted that writing starts from a blank page, brainstorming in front of a blank screen to produce a draft, then revising and publishing the final version. It was only after reading "The Card Box Note Method" that I realized the uncontrollability of inspiration. The memories and thoughts floating in our brains at any given moment are random. In other words, when we face a blank page, whether we have inspiration and what content we write is entirely a matter of luck.

The book mentions that inspiration occurs in every moment of daily life. For example, when you happen to be taking a shower, listening to certain melodies, or watching a movie, brilliant ideas may suddenly invade your mind. This state cannot occur when facing a blank page. Writing should start from the moment inspiration arises, and actually putting pen to paper is merely the act of solidifying these daily accumulated inspirations onto the page. This perspective was enlightening for me.

Methods for Rapid Improvement in Writing#

First, writing relies on inspiration, so recording daily inspirations is an essential step. Secondly, we can only imagine things we have seen before; all insights are based on the imagination and expansion of known information. To continuously generate inspiration, we must keep reading to gain new insights and knowledge, expand our brain's thinking, and then collide new viewpoints with previously existing ones in our minds to generate new ideas. Therefore, reading is also an indispensable step.

Now, looking at writing again, it should have the following process:

1. ==Randomly collect writing inspirations from daily life.==
2. ==Read others' books to gain knowledge and take notes to internalize them into permanent notes.==
3. ==Actively collide new knowledge with old knowledge to generate updated ideas.==
4. ==Select themes from all inspirations, outline, and identify usable information.==
5. ==Start writing on a blank page, reasonably revise the previously selected outline and information based on inspirations generated during writing, and produce a draft.==
6. ==Re-examine the manuscript as a reader and critic, correcting typos and awkward sentences, as well as unreasonable and supplementary areas, to produce the final version.==

I am someone who enjoys making plans, such as waking up at 6:30 AM, brushing my teeth and washing my face, then going for a run, followed by a shower and writing something... However, like most people, I rarely complete it. We always think that if we plan the time well, those tasks can be completed well, but in fact, planning does not help the tasks themselves; it merely alleviates our anxiety about future to-dos in the moment. This made me start to think about whether writing needs planning.

Planning is made to accomplish a specific task; once completed, the plan can be thrown into the trash. For example, when we need to take an exam or complete a thesis, we will make a plan to study in order to achieve good grades or finish a graduation thesis. But writing does not require this because you cannot plan the time for each step, and the generation of inspiration is always in operation.

Looking back at the previous six processes, they almost span our entire life period, so the GTD planning time mindset is not applicable to writing. What we need is a self-consistent system that can generate insights.

==Planning is about controlling the external completion time of tasks, while writing is not a rational linear process. The generation of inspiration is spontaneous, unpredictable, and often requires switching attention, such as recording, associating, refining, and wordplay. What we really need is not a plan, but a process.==

Reading, thinking, generating ideas, connecting with old ideas, outlining themes, writing drafts, and proofreading final versions are not completed using the same thinking mode; they require different attention and thinking habits. The process allows you to smoothly switch thinking modes for each task without them competing for attention, yet still connecting with each other. It prevents a haphazard approach, where you do whatever comes to mind. When you have a self-consistent writing process, you will benefit from it for a lifetime.

The process shortens the time for switching thinking modes in each task, allowing you to complete the entire event in a naturally flowing manner, enabling rapid progress.

Forming a good process is not easy; there are many bottlenecks between small tasks. But once these bottlenecks are broken and a self-consistent process is formed, the difficult period from 0 to 1 is completed, and what remains is exponential progress.

A true expert does not consider actively giving up things that have been proven valuable, such as study methods and plans that have been validated during graduate school. After the exam, they will continue to use them; the process is that kind of thing.

Therefore, what we need to do is not a plan that is discarded after use, but a process that allows us to continue to improve. The generation, collection, and interaction of inspiration are the most important links in writing. The key lies not in our IQ and talent, but in how we handle these inspirations. So what kind of process system do we need? First, we need to consider the following conditions:

• How do you organize the generated inspirations in your second brain? And when you see the notes again, can you recall the purpose of that information and the ideas connected before and after?
• How to read and internalize?
• How to create collisions between these ideas to generate new inspirations?

Many people think that just writing down whatever comes to mind is enough, but everyone uses a collection box. In reality, how many people will look back at their recorded ideas and create valuable articles? Writing them down does not mean they belong to you; it merely tricks the brain into thinking that this brilliant idea is foolproof. Furthermore, a collection box cannot connect with other ideas and generate new ones.

The importance of this second brain for collecting inspirations and generating connections is vastly underestimated because no one has taught us this. We always underline while reading, and brilliant ideas suddenly arise, but we never realize that there is an environment that can generate such ideas.

Traditional note systems are top-down; we categorize all notes under folders, but they cannot connect with each other, directly blocking brainstorming. The system I want to introduce is the card box note method, which is bottom-up and has no folder rules. It emphasizes freely recording information of interest without limiting the theme and connecting each piece of information as much as possible.

But we can divide writing into five processes, which are:

1. ==Flash notes==
2. ==Reading, thinking, generating ideas==
3. ==Recording permanent notes and connections between notes==
4. ==Selecting themes and delineating usable inspirations==
5. ==Completing the draft==
6. ==Proofreading the final version==

Flash Notes#

When you come up with an idea, it can happen at any point in daily life. We may not have time to refine this inspiration, so we should first jot down this inspiration and the context in our mind at that moment, so we won't forget it when we revisit it later.

Note: It is recommended to convert flash notes into permanent notes within two days; otherwise, we will forget the focus that the flash note originally intended to remind us of, as well as its original meaning. Underlining and thoughts during reading are also flash notes; they will ultimately be discarded, and what we truly retain are the permanent notes we have thought through and connected.

Thinking Mode: At this time, our attention is random, and we do not need to be in a flow state; random contexts and experiences are sufficient.

Reading, Thinking, Generating Ideas#

• First, we need to select books that interest us.
• Then choose an appropriate reading method; some require close reading, while others are skimming, using different thinking modes or purposes for reading, such as looking at the outline, what attracts readers, and what the core is. We cannot use the same method to read every book; some books are not worth close reading, and different perspectives yield different gains.
• The brain automatically filters and ignores viewpoints that we do not agree with and that contradict our original beliefs; this is a bug in the brain. If we only seek to understand things within our cognitive range, our reading will ultimately be limited. We need to pay special attention to viewpoints we disagree with and carefully consider whether we have missed their merits due to bias.
• When reading, it is essential to take notes. Externalizing thoughts and letting them float around in the brain are different; if we do not take notes and think, no matter how many times we read, it is a waste of time. Countless books have mentioned this point. Good memory is not as good as a bad pen; this is not just a saying.
• Thinking Mode: Requires focus, flow state, and having a pen and brain ready.

==This is the most important step in the entire writing process. Writing down ideas and taking notes is not difficult; the real challenge is thinking.==

Recording Permanent Notes and Connections Between Notes#

Refine and expand flash notes and ideas generated during reading, then find related connections in the note system. Create links or write them behind the notes. ==Connecting new concepts with old concepts helps us remember, and it is the foundation for generating idea collisions.==

Transform notes from literature or books and flash notes into permanent notes, combining those viewpoints with relatable contexts, then associate them with our original notes to refine and expand them, writing them in the system. ==Method: Write down each permanent note in your own words and context, and look for related notes in your old note library, placing them underneath or generating links.==

Indeterminate Thinking, Selecting Themes, and Delineating Usable Inspirations#

When we have completed each permanent note and refined inspirations, linking relevant information together, when we see this system library, we will definitely be interested and synchronized in thinking because it resembles the way our brain remembers things—remembering new things through old concepts, ultimately turning new things into old concepts and generating updated ideas. The dynamic connections between them will deepen in our minds, and new inspirations will naturally arise from them.

After a period of accumulation, when we have enough of our own thoughts and new ideas in a certain field or module, we can select a theme block and prepare to write an article. Before writing, we can check materials to supplement or add ideas, delete redundant or off-topic thoughts, and finally, we can start on a blank page.

Thinking Mode: Play while thinking; we can even adopt a playful mindset, trying to connect different ideas to see if interesting things can emerge.

Completing the Draft#

Writing the draft is merely putting the information and inspirations you already possess onto paper. We match previous inspirations with themes, then sort them and add desired elements. If other ideas arise during this process, we can make adjustments based on the original foundation. For the entire writing process, this is even a relatively simple step that does not require excessive thought.

When we complete the draft, some common issues may arise, such as nitpicking, feeling that a certain sentence in the article is incorrect, or that the word choice is awkward or clumsy, like a perfectionist. However, this can hinder our writing and may even prevent us from ever producing good articles because the thinking mode for writing and proofreading is not the same. Frequent switching between the two will affect the quality of both. Writing requires entering a communicative or contextual state, while proofreading requires floating attention. The former is the author's god's-eye view, controlling the direction of the entire article. The latter leans more towards the identity of a reader and critic. Once you start focusing on the connections between words and the flow of sentences, you detach from the original atmosphere and perspective of the article, making it difficult to re-enter. We can first write the article without concerns, leaving word modifications and checks for the next step: proofreading.

Thinking Mode: Flow state, as if conversing with the reader or embodying a storytelling god, such as when writing a novel, requires immersion when completing the draft.

Proofreading and Finalizing#

Thinking Mode: We need to switch from the author's identity to that of a reader or even a critic. This is not an easy task and requires deliberate long-term practice. Focus on words, sentences, the judgment of reader emotions, and the reading experience regarding the connections between themes.

But there is no need to worry about this step because the reward feedback for completing the manuscript is only one step away, and we will have infinite motivation.

Regarding the process's conclusion: You do not have to follow the above process rigidly; it is not fixed. Writing cannot establish a universal rule. Although completely imitating others' methods can make us proficient, we can never become experts. True experts rely on experience and intuition; they know what to do next without thinking, regardless of how complex the situation is, remaining true to their state and relationship with writing.

Attention#

To achieve real results in anything, focus is essential. To reach a flow state, your brain must ensure that it is not disturbed by anything else, concentrating all seven balls in your mind on one task (as mentioned in "Cognitive Awakening," attention is equivalent to having seven balls in your brain, each focusing on one thing).

==Write down your to-dos; they are the pests of attention==#

Many people think that GTD is merely a reminder software designed to prevent important tasks from being forgotten. In fact, its most important role lies beyond that; it is a tool created for attention.

Suppose you are currently playing a game, but you have not finished your manuscript, and you still have messages from your girlfriend that need replying to. In that case, it will be difficult for you to focus on the game (assuming you care about your girlfriend and consider writing a task), because you are dividing your attention among your to-dos. Even if you try not to think about them, these two tasks will persist in your subconscious.

We can divide the brain's memory into short-term and long-term memory. When we have to-dos, the brain will store them in short-term memory to avoid forgetting until they are completed. It will keep storing them unless your attention exceeds seven tasks (not an exact number); it has no room to store more. In other words, even if you feel you are not consciously aware of it, it will still occupy our attention. However, freeing your attention from it does not only require completing it. When you write it down, you can achieve the same effect, provided you fully trust your recorded GTD system. Even a sticky note must not be lost and must serve as a reminder. At this point, the brain will spontaneously believe it has been handled properly, at least it will not be overdue.

Whether it is GTD or the card box note method for storing inspirations, you need to have absolute trust in your second brain to completely free your attention. Unless you want to temporarily store an idea or task in your short-term memory and subconscious, connecting it to daily life to find its answers and inspirations elsewhere, or for other purposes. But if constantly remembering it is meaningless, then place it in your second brain and extract it when needed; it will free your attention.

Attention Switching#

Often, we think we can do many things simultaneously, but we are actually rapidly switching our attention without realizing it. However, during the process of attention switching, it is impossible to quickly regain focus on one task. The impact of this is that you only manage to scratch the surface of the tasks at hand. You can only rely on muscle memory or experience to perform them, unable to reach a deeper level of the event, generate new insights, improve, or enjoy the task.

Therefore, when writing, try to create a distraction-free environment. This means avoiding the process of attention switching, moving from one task to another, and then back again, which requires time and energy to reconnect with the previous writing state. If you are writing and someone next to you is occasionally watching videos, and you are influenced by them, your attention will be constantly pulled in different directions, meaning you will spend almost half your time reconnecting with the flow state.

Willpower#

Willpower: When your brain does not want to do something, but you need to force yourself to do it, you need to use willpower to control yourself. ==But willpower is a brain resource that can be depleted.==

For example, if you dislike running, you can only use willpower to force yourself. But if you love running, then you do not need to use willpower. Why is it easier to run in the morning than in the evening? Because our willpower has not been depleted in the morning, we can control ourselves to do the right thing. But by evening, after a full day of work, we have already used willpower to force ourselves to do many things during the day, leading to depleted willpower, making it hard to control ourselves to run at night. This is why we should choose to exercise in the morning. By the way, if we choose to exercise in the evening, our brains will keep storing the task of running at night throughout the day, and it will also occupy our attention during the day (but if you have formed a habit and do not see it as a task, then you can run at any time).

Therefore, for writing, if you do not want to write, try not to force yourself to do so, as this is an extremely willpower-draining task. You can think of it as completing the manuscript while manipulating your willpower. Those outstanding authors and great novelists do not rely on willpower to complete their manuscripts; most of them find joy in writing, to the point where they do not need to force themselves to write, meaning they do not need to deplete willpower. These are two very different states, and the outcomes are also different.

==Zuckerberg and Cook almost always wear gray T-shirts and jeans. Sometimes we even think they never change clothes; in reality, their wardrobes may have a dozen identical outfits. The purpose is to avoid making decisions in the morning, not wasting attention, willpower, and energy on trivial matters first thing in the morning.== ==So, avoid making repetitive and meaningless decisions, and focus your energy on important decisions and tasks.==

Passion and Feedback#

We become writers or content creators for various reasons. Some seek recognition and praise from others, while others find joy in the act of writing itself. The former is essentially an external reward and does not allow them to enjoy the task itself; for them, writing can be painful, requiring willpower to force themselves. Such individuals rarely take the initiative to explore new things because learning itself is not simple for them, and willpower is limited; it needs to be allocated to other aspects of life. However, if you can find joy in writing itself, then external praise is merely a bonus, and facing challenges and discovering broader insights in the field will bring you immense joy and a sense of accomplishment.

May we all start writing out of passion and interest. This applies to anything we do.