Can’t remember what you learned yesterday? Struggle to stay focused during meetings? There’s a simple fix that takes just 10 minutes.
It’s called sketchnoting. And no, you don’t need to be an artist.
What Is Sketchnoting?
Think of it as doodling with a purpose. Instead of writing boring notes, you draw simple shapes, stick figures, and arrows to capture ideas.
A circle becomes a lightbulb for ideas. A box holds important words. Arrows show how things connect.
That’s it. Nothing fancy.
Why Your Brain Loves It
Here’s the cool part: when you draw and write together, you use both sides of your brain at once.
The science: Studies show people remember 65% more when they add simple drawings to notes. Just writing? You’ll forget most within 24 hours.
Your brain treats pictures differently than words. Images stick. Words fade.
Real People, Real Results
Tom, a college student, almost failed chemistry. “I couldn’t keep formulas straight,” he says. “Then I drew them as tiny comic strips. Everything clicked. I went from a D to a B+ in six weeks.”
Lisa, a project manager, sketches during Zoom calls. “I catch details everyone else misses. Got promoted last month.”
Teachers report students who sketchnote stay focused 3x longer.
Getting Started: What You Need
The best part? You probably have everything already.
Basic supplies (all under $30 on Amazon):
- Any notebook
- Black pen for main ideas
- 2–3 colored markers for highlights
- Pencil for rough sketches first
Want to upgrade? Try:
- Sketchnoting starter kits with templates
- Fine-tip marker sets in different colors
- Drawing how-to books for beginners
Your First 10-Minute Session
- Pick something simple. Watch a 5-minute TED talk or read a short article.
- Draw basic shapes. Stars for important points. Boxes for names. Circles for ideas.
- Add stick figures. Seriously. They don’t need faces. Just bodies doing things.
- Connect with arrows. Show how ideas relate.
- Use 2–3 colors max. One for headers, one for highlights. That’s enough.
Done. You just created your first sketchnote.
The 30-Day Challenge
Try this: Sketchnote for 10 minutes daily for a month.
Week 1: Feels awkward. That’s normal. Week 2: Gets easier. Your shapes improve. Week 3: Becomes automatic. Week 4: People ask to see your notes.
Fun fact: Microsoft and Google teach sketchnoting to employees. Teams solve problems 40% faster when someone draws ideas out.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need talent. Just a pen and 10 minutes.
Your brain remembers pictures better than words. Mixing both? That’s when magic happens.
Start tonight. Grab any pen and paper. Watch a YouTube video. Draw what you learn.
In a month, you’ll wonder how you remembered anything without it.
Amazon has beginner sketchnoting kits with templates and markers for under $30. Your brain will thank you.