In a world where everything seems to be going digital, here’s something that might surprise you: the guy who created ChatGPT still writes things down the old-fashioned way. Sam Altman, the billionaire CEO of OpenAI, has a pretty interesting take on staying sharp in business – and it doesn’t involve any fancy apps or AI tools.
When Altman feels overwhelmed or confused about a tough problem at his $300 billion company, he doesn’t ask ChatGPT for help. Instead, he grabs a pen and paper. This might sound weird coming from someone who’s literally reshaping how we interact with technology, but there’s actually some solid reasoning behind it.
The Power of Writing Things Down
Altman describes writing as “externalized thinking.” During a recent podcast appearance, he explained his process pretty simply: “I still, if I have a very hard problem, or if I feel a little bit confused about something, have not found anything better to do than to sit down and make myself write it out.”
This isn’t just casual scribbling either. Altman has turned note-taking into an art form with very specific requirements. He uses a pocket-sized spiral notebook with a hard front and back cover that can lie flat on a table. The paper has to feel good to write on – no cheap stuff here.
His pen choice is equally particular. He only uses two types: the Uniball Micro 0.5mm or the Muji gel pen in dark blue ink (specifically the 0.36, 0.37, or 0.38mm versions). These aren’t random picks – he’s clearly tested what works best for his thinking process.
But here’s where it gets interesting. After he writes out his thoughts, he rips the pages out of the notebook so he can spread them across his desk and look at multiple pages at once. When he’s done thinking through the problem, he crumples them up and throws them away. It’s like a physical representation of working through messy thoughts until they become clear.
Why This Actually Makes Sense
You might think this sounds old school, but Altman is onto something that science backs up. Research shows that when we write things by hand, we remember more information compared to typing on a laptop. There’s something about the physical act of forming letters that helps our brains process and retain information better.
Altman puts it this way: “I find it astonishing how much writing just for yourself helps clarify what you actually think, helps sharpen stuff in a way that for me—and I think for a lot of other people—is somehow impossible to do, just like thinking carefully on a long hike.”
He makes a great point about messy thinking too: “It’s harder to hide really messy thinking when you have to actually write it down and stare at it.” When you’re typing fast, you can kind of gloss over unclear ideas. But when you’re writing by hand, you’re forced to slow down and really think about each word.
Clear Thinking Comes Before Clear Communication
Here’s something that might change how you think about business communication. Altman believes that clear thinking is way more important than clear communication. In fact, he says unclear communication is usually just a symptom of unclear thinking.
“Clear communication is very much less important, and very much downstream, of actually clear thinking,” he explained. “Unclear communication is a symptom of unfocused thinking, for the most part.”
This makes a lot of sense when you think about it. How many times have you been in a meeting where someone is talking in circles, and you can tell they haven’t really thought through what they’re trying to say? Altman’s approach forces him to organize his thoughts before he even tries to communicate them to others.
He’s Not Alone – Other Billionaires Do This Too
Altman isn’t the only ultra-successful person who swears by handwritten notes. Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, is another big believer in the power of pen and paper.
Gates wrote on LinkedIn: “You won’t catch me in a meeting without a legal pad and pen in hand—and I take tons of notes in the margins while I read.” He sees handwritten notes as crucial for how he processes information.
Richard Branson, the guy behind Virgin Group, takes this even further. He goes through dozens of notebooks every year and writes down everything that comes to mind each day. His philosophy? “An idea not written down is an idea lost. When inspiration calls, you’ve got to capture it.”
Branson credits his note-taking habit as essential to building his companies. Without it, he says his businesses wouldn’t be the same. He’s not totally against digital notes, but he emphasizes that the important thing is just making sure you’re recording your thoughts somehow.
Why This Matters in Our Digital World
There’s something almost rebellious about these tech leaders choosing analog tools in our increasingly digital world. Gen Z has largely moved to typing notes on phones or using voice memos, and technology has made physical note-taking seem outdated to many people.
But maybe there’s something to be said for slowing down in our fast-paced world. When everything is instant and digital, taking the time to physically write something forces you to be more intentional with your thoughts.
Think about your own experience. When you’re typing, how often do you just let your fingers fly across the keyboard without really thinking deeply about each word? Compare that to writing by hand, where you have to be more deliberate about every letter you form.
The Science Behind Handwriting
Multiple studies support what Altman and other successful leaders have figured out through experience. When we write by hand, our brains have to work harder to form each letter, which creates stronger neural pathways for memory and learning.
There’s also something about the physical act of writing that helps with creativity and problem-solving. Some researchers think it’s because handwriting uses different parts of the brain compared to typing, leading to different kinds of thinking.
The fact that Altman rips out his pages and spreads them around his desk is smart too. This lets him see the big picture of his thoughts and make connections between different ideas that might not be obvious when you’re looking at one screen or page at a time.
Practical Takeaways for Everyone
You don’t need to be running a billion-dollar AI company to benefit from Altman’s approach. Here are some ways you can apply his note-taking philosophy:
Start with the right tools. You don’t need to get as specific as Altman with exact pen models, but find writing tools that feel good to use. If you enjoy the physical act of writing, you’re more likely to actually do it.
Make it private. Altman keeps his notes to himself, which means he’s not worried about impressing anyone or making them look polished. This freedom can help you be more honest and creative with your thinking.
Don’t be afraid to be messy. The whole point is to get your confused thoughts out of your head and onto paper where you can see them clearly. Your first draft of ideas doesn’t need to be perfect.
Use it for tough problems. You probably don’t need to handwrite your grocery list, but when you’re stuck on something complicated at work or in life, try Altman’s approach of sitting down and writing it out.
Spread things out. If you’re working through something complex, don’t feel limited to keeping everything in a single notebook. Rip out pages, use multiple sheets, or spread everything across your desk to see the big picture.
The Bigger Picture
There’s something almost poetic about the fact that the person leading the AI revolution still turns to one of humanity’s oldest tools – pen and paper – when he needs to think clearly. It suggests that even as technology advances at breakneck speed, some fundamental aspects of how humans process information haven’t changed.
Maybe this is a reminder that we don’t always need the latest app or digital tool to be productive. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most effective ones.
Altman’s approach also highlights the importance of having quiet, focused time to think. In our world of constant notifications and digital distractions, the act of sitting down with just a pen and paper creates a kind of mental space that’s increasingly rare.
Insights
Sam Altman’s note-taking habits might seem simple, but they’re part of what’s helped him build one of the most valuable companies in the world. His approach to “externalized thinking” through handwriting offers a powerful tool for anyone looking to think more clearly and solve problems more effectively.
The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused about something important, maybe try Altman’s method. Grab a pen and paper, find a quiet spot, and start writing out your thoughts. You might be surprised at how much clearer things become when you slow down and physically work through your ideas.
In a world that’s increasingly digital, there’s still something magical about the simple act of putting pen to paper. If it’s good enough for the CEO of OpenAI, it might just be good enough for the rest of us too.
