Here’s a simple question that can transform your next visual thinking project:
Why are you sketching this out in the first place?
You might think the answer is obvious. But I’ve found that most people (myself included) often start sketching without a clear sense of purpose, and that’s why so many visual notes end up forgotten in a drawer or tossed away in the recycling bin.
That’s where these two words come in: so that.
Instead of just saying “I’m going to sketch out this book” or “I’m going to diagram this problem,” try filling in this sentence:
“I’m going to sketch out _____ so that _____.”
For example: “I’m going to sketch out The Psychology of Money so that I can have a meaningful conversation with my teenage daughter about finances.” (That was Verbal to Visual community member Tania’s purpose in a recent book club.)
But here’s where it gets interesting. Don’t stop at one “so that.” Keep going deeper:
“…so that she develops a healthy relationship with money so that she can make decisions that align with her values so that she can live a fuller, more intentional life.”
Do you see what happened? We went from a simple book summary to something that taps into intrinsic motivation, the kind of purpose that gives you energy throughout the entire sketching process.
The deeper you go with your “so that” statements, the more you connect with the real reason this work matters to you. And when you know why something matters, you’re much more likely to stick with it and create something meaningful.
This approach is part of the Ready, Aim, Sketch model that I teach in The Verbal to Visual Curriculum, where we explore all aspects of the visual thinking journey.
Try it with whatever you’re working on right now. Start with “I’m going to sketch out _____ so that _____” and see where it takes you.
Cheers,
-Doug