Don't Hit Backspace, Why Boredom Is Good For You, Writing With Precision & More

Guten Tag Doctors & Writers,

Welcome to the 16th edition of the newsletter.

This week, we’ll examine techniques and systems focused on imagination, voice, and the systemization of your writing process.

Let’s dive in.

Today at a Glance:

Question: Are You Welcoming Constraints?

Quote: On Best Representing An Idea

Framework: The “One Thought, One Sentence” Technique

Idea: Don't Hit Backspace

Video: Why Boredom Is Good For You

Question: Are You Welcoming Constraints?

Constraints aren’t the enemy.

In fact, they can be your greatest ally.

Parkinson's law states that work expands to fill the time allocated to it. If you give yourself a week to write an essay, it will likely take a week. Similarly, if you write a first draft without an approximate word limit in mind, you make it harder for yourself to stay on track.

Believe it or not, many times the best work you’ll create is the result of working within limitations.

Why?

Because constraints force you to focus, to clarify, and to make tough choices.

So this week, ask yourself:

• What’s the one message I need to convey?

• How many words do I need to get my point across?

• How long would it take for me to get this idea published?

Keep in mind, however, that constraints work both ways; an excuse or an opportunity to feed your creativity.

Once you have your message, pick a word limit and “time-to-publish” that feels slightly uncomfortable and stick to it. Keep it simple. Use only the words that matter, and let your ideas shine through.

Quote: On Best Representing An Idea

The lesson: You can express one idea in countless ways. But the biggest mistake you can make is to present an idea as a series of facts rather than expressing it with depth and experience. When writing, keep asking yourself, How have I lived this idea, and what moments would make it memorable for my audience? Readers connect with stories, examples, and real-life details, not long lists of bullet points.

Framework: One Thought, One Sentence

Fitting too much substance into a single piece of writing is something we see often. While it can work occasionally, most times it leads to writing that misses the mark.

Today's framework is all about simplifying your writing and bringing clarity to even your most complex ideas.

Here's how it works:

1. Break It Down

Before you write, make a bullet-point list of all the core ideas you'd like to express. The key is to separate ideas, no matter how big or small, so that they each have one clear focus. Say, for instance, you're writing about mindfulness in healthcare. One bullet-point example could be about why mindfulness matters and another could be a short story about how you applied it or how it's made a difference.

2. Simplify Without Losing Depth

If you pack your writing with a ton of long, winding sentences, you're making your readers work harder than they should. Your goal is to focus on creating a symphony so your piece reads like music (we touched on this point in this week's podcast). Pick one of the bullet points from your list, express it without limitations, and then alter the sentence structure.

3. Read Out Loud

This is the most crucial litmus test for your writing. After you've elaborated on each of your bullet points and completed your piece, read it out loud before you hit publish. If certain sentences or phrases don't sound like something you'd say in an everyday conversation, chances are it's more complicated than it needs to be. Be precise and edit ruthlessly. You'll be amazed at how much stronger your work will become.

Idea: Don't Hit Backspace

This might sound counterintuitive, but bear with me. This is a technique I wish I'd learned a lot sooner.

If you're between the early stages of your draft (ideating and writing), think of the backspace button as a last resort.

This isn't easy by any means. As a chronic perfectionist, it pains me to see a grammatical error or incomplete sentence before I move on to the next.

So why am I suggesting this?

Because when you hit backspace, you add friction to the writing process. Your words come to a halt rather than flow as they would in conversation, much like hitting the handbrake on a highway.

So grab a post-it note, note this down, and keep this close when you write your next piece:

To edit well, you need to write well first. 

Video: Why Boredom Is Good For You

This week's video talks about a fundamental, yet often ignored essence of all creative work: boredom. Believe it or not, boredom is often the best way to get access to your most impactful ideas. It's a small perspective shift, but it sure can yield immense results. Enjoy!

Alright, that’s all for this week.

We hope you take these techniques and bring them into your writing this week.

Got thoughts, questions, or ideas? Just hit reply. We’re here to listen.

— Adi & Pranav

Co-founders, Doctors & Writers