Reading and writing

Why?

I have started this blog to push myself to become a better writer and also a better communicator. I need to level up my vocabulary and use proper language to articulate and communicate complex concepts I have in my head.

But I also find reading and writing effective for a couple of other reasons.

Give space for your mind to wander

When you dream, your brain processes all the information that you have consciously and unconsciously accumulated. When you are doing a task, you are focus (hopefully) only on the task at hand. There needs to be space to let you materialize your thoughts. I think reading and writing give you that space and depending on what you read and write, it will strengthen certain "brain muscles".

The practice

If you are a bad writer, write more.

Have what you have ready

A bit related to the original motivation but preparation makes you better and confident. I was listening to Tim Ferris and Kevin Rose discussion, Tim mentioned of social anxiety during networking parties and how preparing a list of questions to start small-talk helped him overcome that.

Writing down an idea or a thought will help you prepare to explain it to someone.