Use writing to spur action, action to spur writing

This is a cycle which works well for me. When I begin a task (especially a broad or complex one), I write about it. Not a plan of action or anything focused exactly. Just about it. This isn't formal writing - it shifts around a lot, I remove and add parts freely.

At some point, the writing starts to form itself into atomic concepts and I start to understand more about what I need to do. Organically, almost. Over time. This often becomes a will to act.

Once the urge to act begins and my writing is in a state where I can come back to it, then I will start to do the task. At this point I usually forget to track what I'm doing or why - I'm absorbed. This is why writing first is so important for me.

Eventually, I'll run out of steam and return to the writing. I re-read it, re-write some of it based on learnings.

The writing for all tasks and reading and thinking all happens in one place, to allow for cross-pollination, easy revisiting and building on the ideas. They continue to split into atomic ideas over time. At some point they move here, where they still don't sit still. These notes are still living, and respond to what happens in my notebook over time. They build and accrete and surprise me.