There’s a simple object so many of us carry that holds more power than many of us realise. No, it’s not our mobile. NO, it’s not our laptop. It’s a pen!
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Because writing rewires your brain.
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In our digital-first world, we often overlook the humble pen. We tap, we swipe, we capture on screens. But when we pick up a pen and apply it to paper, something shifts. Here’s what I’ve discovered and why I advise that you should end 2025 – and start 2026 – with your pen in hand. NO matter the amount of AI you are integrating into your work, how digital savvy you’ve become, it’s your pen that really enables you to take Key Steps to…
‘be the difference that makes the difference.’
- The pen links mind to matter.When you write something by hand, you slow down just enough for your brain to catch up. You’re not only forming letters, you’re also giving shape to thoughts, ideas, decisions and more. That moment of intentional choice fosters clarity. Your pen becomes a bridge from what’s in your head to what ends up on the page. In doing so, you filter your thinking, connect the dots and you invite your best self to show up.
- Your pen anchors you into present.
In meetings, in strategy sessions, in moments of reflection, the act of writing keeps you grounded. It signals, “this matters,” “I’m focused,” “I commit to this!” People who carry a pen aren’t necessarily old-school. They’re present. They’re ready. They don’t wait for perfect digital tools, they just act.
- Writing by hand rewires the brain.There’s more than metaphor here. Neuroscience shows that the physical act of writing engages different neural networks than typing does. It enhances memory, supports creativity and helps structure thinking. I am never without a pen (a few in fact of various colours) and when I hold a pen, I feel connected to that deeper current in me: the part that wants growth, clarity, purpose and to communicate with impact. Neuroscience shows why.
- Your pen is a tool of freedom and strategy.The pen is your tool for “doing”, not just “thinking”. It moves you from mental rehearsal to real performance. Take a moment now to reflect, consider and then…
- Write down one challenge you’re facing.
- Write down one small action you’ll take this week.
- Write down one belief you’re willing to release.
End 2025 – and start 2026 – with your pen in hand.
As we approach the end of the year, the noise only grows. Digital fatigue. Overwhelm. Endless “to-do” lists on screens. The pen invites something different: quiet, focus, deliberateness and presence.
If you want to stand out, if you want to lead, if you want to take Key Steps to…
‘be the difference that makes the difference’…
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Carry a pen. Not because the tool is special, but because you are. Your ideas, your purpose, your impact deserve more than a fleeting tap. They deserve being written down, reviewed, tracked, refined and lived.
