Active Processing
Intentionality and Understanding Through Writing
As I recently wrote in my newly minted Medium account bio, I’m writing to process the world around me.
I want to be more intentional about reflecting on the things that matter to me.
Like so many others, I struggle to take a breath in my day-to-day life. I flit from one task to the next, without a moment to really process the ‘what’ let alone the ‘why.’ I want to be more intentional about reflecting on the things that matter to me, and I’m hoping that my reflections may prove to be of interest to others. But why should they be?
What do I bring to the table (or the page, as it were)?
I’m a PhD research psychologist who now manages a team of 15 federal employees (economists, data scientists, lawyers, social scientists, and statisticians). I oversee north of 80 academic partners via my agency’s academic partnership platform. I co-chair an international community of interest on behavioral science through the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Forum on Tax Administration. I regularly engage with peer reviewed research on psychology, economics, and data science. On paper, it looks like I might have some unique experiences to draw upon… If I take the time to reflect on and process them.
This exercise I’m embarking on will (I hope) shed light on some of the murkier challenges I’ve been wrestling with. It will identify the gaps in my understanding. And there will be plenty of gaps — I know enough to know how much I don’t know, you know?
I know enough to know how much I don’t know, you know?
My writing will focus on self-improvement, leadership, and broader topics in psychology, but it might have an occasional sidetrack. It will overlap with mindfulness practices to a certain degree, especially regarding the introspective aspect of it. Importantly, it will foster a growth mindset and help me be a life-long learner.
As I clarify my own thinking, I’ll look to the academic literature for help. I’ll apply my training to seeking out, sorting through, and digesting the relevant findings. I’ll bridge the gaps in my understanding, and I’ll share what I find. The aim is that the resulting post will have takeaways and references that enhanced my view of the world around me and will hopefully be of use to others, too. Likewise, I look forward to learning from commenters’ experiences.
So, to come back to the goal: I’m writing to be more intentional in understanding the world around me. Join me on that journey.
References
For information on mindful writing, consider checking out the works of James W. Pennebaker as a jumping off point. For example:
Book: Pennebaker J.W. & Smyth, J.M. (2016). Opening Up by Writing It Down: How Expressive Writing Improves Health and Eases Emotional Pain (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
