Doodling isn’t child’s play, though history may argue otherwise.
Doodling has long been described as a foolish, meaningless activity, something one does to distract oneself from what one should be focused on. People often think of doodles as senseless scribbles with little value or importance. If you’re caught doodling in class, you’re in trouble. If you’re doodling in a meeting, you’re criticized for not paying attention. At least, that’s how it used to be.
After hundreds of years of being dubbed as a mindless waste of time, the benefits of doodling are starting to gain some traction.
Even though adult coloring books are hip and cool right now, doodling isn’t a new trend. According to Sunni Brown, author of “The Doodle Revolution,” many artistic, scientific, mathematical, medical, and business breakthroughs can be attributed to doodling.
Did you know that Stanislaw Ulam developed the Ulam Spiral (an illustration and explanation of prime numbers for all you non-math majors) during a mathematics lecture?
The benefits of doodling are wide-ranging. Researchers have found that it improves focus and concentration and allows people to see the big picture. It’s an outlet for creativity and a way for people to stay active in the present moment.
The Doodle Revolution
I’ve received quizzical looks and judgmental stares while doodling during important meetings or brainstorming, which is how I stumbled upon Brown’s book in the first place.
In the book, Brown argues that doodling is a way for people to engage in deep information processing. “A doodler connects neurological and previously disconnected pathways,” says Brown.
Brown breaks down how doodling contributes to one’s power (cognitive), performance (organizational), and pleasure (personal). Here’s a little taste of what she has to say:
Power.
Doodling has a dynamic cognitive impact on people. A staggering amount of people retain, recall, and comprehend information better while doodling. A study conducted back in 2009 found that participants doodling during a phone call could recall facts 29% better than those who did not. Through doodling, people can expand their minds and increase insights.
Performance.
Doodling isn’t just for individuals. Leaders have gained tremendous insights into their business as a result of doodling. Teams and organizations can benefit greatly from incorporating visual language in meetings and brainstorms. In the book, Brown states, “… the act of visualization adds layers of relevance, functionality, and communication to the conversation.” Doodling encourages group interaction, allows teams to visualize the bigger picture, increases problem-solving efforts, and offers a collective shared memory and experience.
Pleasure.
I double-dog dare you to give a couple of examples of what you could 100% achieve while multitasking. Only 2% of people can multitask successfully, yet most of us think it’s the best way to get work done. Our brains aren’t wired to process multiple things at once. Doodling helps individuals escape from multitasking, and the “my problem is now your emergency” mindset of today’s workforce. Individuals who set aside time to visualize and doodle for personal gains are often more relaxed, focused, and open to possibilities. The benefits of doodling for pleasure begin to trickle into their professional lives, allowing them to avoid multitasking and focus on the task at hand.
This is just the tip of the iceberg on the power of the doodle. If you’re interested in more, get your hands on the copy of “The Doodle Revolution.” The book is packed full of research and anecdotes on the impact of doodling. And, throughout the book you have the opportunity to pick up your pen and embrace doodling yourself through interactive prompts and assessments.