Thoughts on clarifying thoughts

It's been four months now since I decided sharing my thoughts publicly. And since then, clarifying my thoughts has been a challenge for me.

Just this morning I've dumped words on paper, thinking about how to achieve more clarity.

Here's the result:

When you’re first drafting your posts, don’t focus too much on sounding smart. Dump your thoughts, or talk your thoughts. Teach it to someone. Or pretend you’re explaining it to a friend.

Then, look at what you’ve said. What’s useful? What do you want to keep? What can be thrown away? Or you might want to repeat it again. Talk it out. Explain it - again. Then look at what you’ve said.

The more you repeat explaining an idea, the more you clarify your thinking. You remember what’s important, and forget superficial, weak arguments. Remember what Peterson said?

When you keep writing the outline from memory, you reinforce the memorable parts of your thinking. You eliminate what’s shallow and forgettable. That’s the power of explaining an idea over and over again.

What can you do, then?

Next time, when you are writing about a topic - after you research or after you wrote your draft - explain it from memory while recording it.

Then listen to it. Transcribe the useful parts.

After you’ve written the final draft, do it again.

Then you’ll have powerful, memorable writing. The remaining ideas are the ones that stick with you. And because they stick with you, they will more likely stick with others, too.

It feels great to have some clarity with what you're struggling with for a long time.