I like to think that I can control my thoughts. That I can sit and think about a particular topic, and ultimately come to some worthwhile discovery or conclusion.

Realistically, this rarely happens.

When I try to meditate on a topic, I think in circles. Or I jump from one topic to another without really making progress.

The only times I consistently make significant observations are when I have a free mind or when I make the effort to actively articulate my thoughts.

The free mind concept is effective, but it isn’t particularly helpful if I have a time-sensitive problem.

That’s when I find that writing things down and/or talking it through with someone else is critical.

Only when I try to formulate a cohesive argument do the gaps in my thinking begin to emerge.

-Brandon

Credit to Joe Rogan & Naval Ravikant for helping to point this out – link