"The Art of Writing: Like Building with LEGO, Easy, Fun, and Efficient"

"The Art of Writing: Like Building with LEGO, Easy, Fun, and Efficient"

Writing can often feel like a daunting task, especially when you're struggling to come up with ideas and inspiration. It's like feeling hungry but having no food to satisfy your cravings – a continuous cycle of desperation and frustration as the deadline approaches. The difficulty lies in not having the necessary materials and resources to create something meaningful.

To overcome this challenge, the "121" workflow offers a simple yet effective approach to writing. It involves minimizing repetitive and inefficient tasks, allowing you to focus your time and energy on more important matters. Just like walking while working, you can simultaneously work and think.

The three numbers in "121" hold significant meaning:

1. One search: Limit your search to one place, such as Anki, a flashcard app.
2. Two actions: Copy and paste. Simply copy the relevant information from Anki flashcards and paste them into your presentation.
3. One sorting: Arrange the slides based on logical order.

This workflow reflects the concept of "card-based thinking" throughout the reading process. Each interaction with the author's content becomes a card – whether it's a Q&A exchange, Anki flashcards, or your own notes. When it comes to writing, you have a comprehensive set of materials, like bricks, from the author's classic book. This abundance of resources allows you to build your own "house" of ideas, rather than relying on fragmented knowledge.

Furthermore, when you accumulate "bricks" from various masters and classic books in the same field, you gain the ability to select the most suitable ones for constructing your unique "house." This diversity of perspectives enables you to create something truly exceptional.

The renowned writer Qian Zhongshu's exceptional memory is often attributed to his dedication to reading and note-taking. He didn't consider himself extraordinary, but rather emphasized the importance of putting in the effort. Qian not only read books but also took meticulous notes. He would read books multiple times and continuously add to his notes, making it difficult for him to forget what he had learned.

Although note-taking can be time-consuming, Qian's commitment to the process made a significant impact. He also had a habit of borrowing books from various libraries, reading them, and returning them promptly. He didn't accumulate a large collection of books at home, as he believed in the principle that books should be borrowed, read, and shared. His home was filled with notes rather than a massive library.

Nowadays, using index cards has proven to be an excellent tool for writing. Instead of starting from the beginning and writing chapter by chapter, you can fill in the blanks like completing a jigsaw puzzle. Take out one piece at a time, whether it's a fragment of the sky or a landscape, and gradually construct the whole picture – even if you're unsure of the final outcome.

Writing becomes more manageable when you focus on individual cards rather than attempting to craft an entire article at once. Concentrating on one card at a time allows you to direct your energy and attention, making the process much easier. The Q&A format provides a framework for your thoughts and serves as a scaffold for your writing. You can restore and expand on the valuable information contained within each card, turning them into a cohesive piece.

Just like assembling LEGO bricks, writing with cards offers the flexibility to combine and connect ideas effortlessly. As you accumulate more well-written cards, you can assemble and arrange them according to your needs. There's no need to strictly follow a predefined structure. Starting from the roof or the foundation is unnecessary – simply begin wherever your creativity takes you.

In today's fast-paced world, information often appears fragmented. However, if we learn to use cards effectively, they can become a powerful tool. The problem lies not in the fragmented knowledge itself, but in our inability to utilize it properly.

The great minds of history didn't possess secret knowledge unknown to ordinary people. Rather, they took the universally acknowledged principles and pushed them to extraordinary levels. Similarly, writing becomes less painful when each step, from input to output, flows seamlessly. As the saying goes in traditional Chinese medicine, "when things flow smoothly, there is no pain; when there is pain, things are not flowing smoothly."

To optimize the entire workflow from input to output, we can divide it into three levels:

1. No "channel": When we're beginners, we may lack a systematic approach and struggle with the details. In this stage, completing the work efficiently and meeting deadlines are our primary goals.
2. Water into the channel: As we gain experience, we establish our own workflow, habits, and routines – our "channel." We enjoy the feeling of things falling into place and working smoothly.
3. Channel into water: However, we should not settle for the status quo. Instead, we should actively design our workflow, constantly improving each step of the process, and ensuring seamless coordination between them.

In conclusion, writing is like building with LEGO. By incorporating the "121" workflow and utilizing index cards effectively, you can make the writing process easier, more enjoyable, and efficient. Remember these three actionable tips:

1. Consolidate your resources: Gather bricks of knowledge from various sources to build a solid foundation for your writing.
2. Focus on one card at a time: Concentrate your energy on each card, ensuring that every piece of content is well-crafted and impactful.
3. Seamlessly connect ideas: Assemble your cards in a way that allows for flexibility and creativity, connecting them naturally to create a cohesive and engaging piece.

With these strategies in mind, you can overcome the challenges of writing and create compelling content with ease.