Doodling … Good or Bad?
There is a misconception that fun, play, and creating art distract people from being productive and focused. In reality, the opposite is true. Fun, play, and creating art can lead to increased focus, improved well-being, and greater productivity. Meditative Doodling is a perfect example of this, but you don’t have to take my word for it there is plenty of research on the subject including:
♦ Sunni Brown’s TED Talk, article, and CNN interview
♦ Case Study on Doodling by Professor Jackie Andrade
♦ Huffington Post article on 5 Big Benefits of Being a Doodler
♦ The Atlantic’s article on the Cognitive Benefits of Doodling
The dictionary tells us that to doodle is to scribble absentmindedly and that a doodle is a drawing or pattern that you make while thinking about something else or when you are bored. In her TED Talk, Sunni Brown redefined “to doodle” to mean to make spontaneous marks to help yourself think. And now, that’s my definition, too.
My Doodling Experience
I have always been a doodler. In college, the professors tried to “catch me” not paying attention. They would hold up my drawings for the entire class to see and say something like, “Miss Gordon doesn’t find this subject very interesting. Let’s see if she can answer my questions.” Then they would get ticked when I could answer their questions. I had no idea that the drawing was helping me focus, I only knew that I needed to do it.
I found the Zentangle® Method of drawing in 2013 and fell in love with it. It relaxed me. It freed me. It energized me. I consumed any Zentangle book I could find and started drawing tiles all the time. I even started drawing on conference calls and that’s when I realized this drawing method focused me. Before Zentangle I used to secretly doodle quilt blocks in meetings, hiding what I was doing, lest my colleagues and bosses think I wasn’t paying attention. The quilt blocks bored me. I had to think too much about what to draw. Once I learned how to “tangle” I still hid my work but it was more powerful for me. There is something about the structured patterns that occupies the part of my mind that needs to be “doing something” so the rest of it can focus on receiving information, sifting through it, and formulating ideas.
I became a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) in the spring of 2016 and stopped hiding my drawing at work. I now bring my drawing to the attention of those around me. I explain to my colleagues, clients, or table-mates that this method of drawing helps me focus. Some believe me and some have to see it in action, but everyone marvels at the abstract art at the end of the meeting. I’ve even had people offer to buy my tiles after an event.
I went on a five-city tour with a client when I was in the corporate world. I heard the same set of speeches five times in as many days. I told the client at the beginning of the trip that I would be drawing during the presentations to help me focus. They humored me but didn’t believe me. At lunch on the third day, we were discussing something from the Q & A section of the presentation and I filled in the blanks that no one else could remember after glancing at my tile. They quickly became believers.
You Can Be A Productive Doodler, Too!
I provide public programs on meditative doodling, the Zentangle method of drawing, and Zentangle Inspired Art as well as corporate wellness programs. Currently, I’m holding all programs virtually until it’s safe to gather in groups again. Please contact me for more information on the different programs.