The wiggly, squiggly lines and sketchy drawings you make in the margins of your notes or cartoon figures you draw as you attend meetings makes you a doodler. I've been one too since my school days. It kept me awake during dry lectures. As I listened to long reports during meetings at work, my drawing hand discreetly scratched out caricatures of the chairman and the people who sat around the table.

But I was following what was happening. For sure, I'd pause my doodling to pen down a question that appeared in my head which I'd ask during Q&A time, then I'd go right back to doodling.

What was happening? Ah .. apparently, doodling is not just the listless, time wasting, mind wandering activity it appears to be. Studies show doodling actually engages the brain, thus enhancing concentration to enable someone remember more.

Forcing myself to pay attention (to lectures, long reporting) is actually a strain to the brain, demanding stamina. Thus when I doodle along, I'm actually tapping into a default mode network that reduces this stress. That's right - it improves brain stamina. Instead of being distracted by doodling, it's a movement break that improves my focus.

It appears doodling has been wrongly maligned. However, do be careful that when you doodle, you're not being taken as disrespectful to the person speaking. I wish you all happy doodling!

Note: Facts mentioned above are sourced from the podcast referenced here. I have also attached images of my doodles which were done according to directions from the Malaysian children's book author and illustrator, NAI, who was a guest on BFM.

BFM: The Business Station - Podcast Benefits of Doodling, And Getting Started

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Postscript added on 8 Oct 2023: Note: Thank you to those who have written to let me know you enjoy reading my column but daren't take a lesson because there are parts you don't really understand. I assure you we'll always speak at a level which suits you so that we can enjoy a casual conversation. Also, we can go through words and sentences that are difficult so that we learn together. Perhaps, they will be easy then and we'll always have something to talk about. No stress!