The Power of the Sticky Note
In today’s fast-paced digital age, it’s easy to rely solely on technology to store and organise our ideas and information. However, recent studies have shown that writing down our thoughts and ideas on paper and sticky notes can help to foster innovation and creativity in ways that technology cannot.
Studies Supporting the Benefits of Writing By Hand
One study published in the journal Psychological Science in 2021 found that handwriting can lead to increased creativity and idea generation. Participants were asked to brainstorm new product ideas either by typing or by handwriting.
The results showed that the handwritten group generated more unique and creative ideas compared to the typing group. This suggests that handwriting requires more cognitive effort and engages different parts of the brain compared to typing, leading to a more diverse range of ideas.
Another study published in the journal Science in 2014 found that handwriting can also
improve learning and retention.
Students who took notes by hand in class performed better on exams compared to students who used laptops to take notes. This is because handwriting forces us to process information more deeply and summarise it in our own words, leading to a better understanding and retention of the material.
Benefits of Sticky Notes
The studies above highlight the improvement in creative ideas, learning and retention by hand writing, all these benefits also apply to the hand written sticky note.
In addition to those benefits, writing on paper and sticky notes allows us to physically
manipulate and move our ideas around. This can help us to see patterns and connections
that we may not have noticed if we were simply typing on a screen.
Techniques such as mind mapping and the “Post-it Note Method” have become popular among creatives and innovators for this reason.
Why does writing by hand contribute to Innovation and Creativity?
Experts suggest that this is because handwriting engages both the left and right sides of the brain, which is important for divergent thinking and generating new ideas.
Additionally, the act of writing by hand is more deliberate and intentional compared to typing, which can lead to a deeper connection to our thoughts and ideas.
Use the Power of Handwriting & Sticky Notes
Writing on paper and sticky notes can be a powerful tool for boosting innovation and
creativity. Whether you’re brainstorming new ideas, taking notes in class, or simply
organising your thoughts, consider reaching for a pen and paper instead of relying solely on technology.
By engaging different parts of the brain and allowing for the physical manipulation of ideas, handwriting can help us to generate more unique and creative solutions to the challenges we face in today’s world.
Looking for ways to unlock the creativity of you and your team? Take a look at our range of workshops and training that help teams solve problems, collaborate effectively and find fresh ideas.
