I say this as a writer, and in the most loving way possible, but there is very little correlation between the frequency and quality of one's writing (or note taking) and one's effectiveness in business or in life.
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Yes yes writing is thinking and good writing is good thinking but oh — are you avoiding that important thing that is gnawing at you that is just too painful to face?
Well, bad news, no amount of journalling is going to help you fire that employee or execute that break up.
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Replying to @ejames_c and @RobertHaisfield
I’m increasingly coming around to the idea that agency and good writing/note taking are orthogonal skills, and both are desirable, but both have no relation to each other.
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Replying to @ejames_c
This is mostly right (& too much of a truth bomb for a twitter audience 
). Though not sure I'd say "little correlation"
Positive correlation: Scaling effectiveness in business/life often requires convincing other people of things. Writing well is a powerful way of doing that.
). Though not sure I'd say "little correlation"
Positive correlation: Scaling effectiveness in business/life often requires convincing other people of things. Writing well is a powerful way of doing that.1
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At least with the last example, “no amount” seems unreasonably strong… perhaps “good note taking is not necessary or sufficient to…”
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No, I’d go with no amount. I know people who take great, beautiful notes, of books, better than mine (and that’s a high bar) and then absolutely fail at application. They make up some reason for why they can’t apply the thing, because it’s painful or takes persistence and give up
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Hm, what about the role of good writing for communication? Good specs/documentation can go a long way in helping teams execute
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Communication and agency are only loosely correlated. You can communicate beautifully your 101 excuses for not doing the thing that will help you (or your team) achieve your/their goals.