Think With Your Hands

I think with my hands and have been doing so for as long as I can remember.  It's a natural way for me to concentrate and create.  The bigger the writing instrument and larger the writing surface, the bigger the ideas.  I'm an active listener when I'm drawing and a much more creative person when I can see the connections between thoughts.  Thinking with your hands does not require one to be an artist.  To the contrary, it is more compelling when the diagrams and images are loose, under construction.  Take the plunge.  Grab a marker, hold it high between your fingers and don't worry about the outcome.  Just write, draw lines, scribbles, arrows, dots, anything.  Get the ideas out on paper.  Ask questions, even write out the questions.  It's fun to come back later with another color and answer them, introducing new ideas and information.  My most creative concepts have arisen from diagrams developed on large (30" wide roll) brown paper sheets.  It's really cool to use white and yellow colored pencils to set the framework. Then, build the idea map by adding images, shapes and words.  I know that some people today prefer to do this in the computer.  I even do that at times, using a wonderful sketch program (Noteshelf).  But, it's not the same for me as grabbing the closest crayon, marker or pen and drawing on whatever surface is at hand.  It's even cool to use the windows in your office (assuming you use dry erase markers).  Just let the ideas flow through your hands, draw big, think big.  It's all about the process, not the perfection.  Give it a try!