Introduction

Part 1 - Why exploratory writing?

The science

Is this about better writing?

Let’s get started

Part 2 – The toolkit

Exploratory narrative

freewriting

mindfulness

chimp management

empathy

Metaphor

surfacing metaphors

finding new metaphors

forced metaphors

analogy

Inquiry

learning through inquiry

inquiring of future you

appreciative inquiry

humble inquiry

Visual thinking

writing into drawings

storyboarding

graphic organizers

developing your own visuals

Part 3 – Using the tools

Wellbeing and mindfulness

sense-making

mental resilience

happiness

self-coaching

Clarity and focus

decluttering

focus and deep work

reflective practice

Creativity and problem-solving

creative thinking

problem-solving

prototyping

Leadership and collaboration

visioning

uncovering bias

conflict resolution

culture change

Conclusion: over to you

Appendices: glossary of tools, list of prompts, bibliography

Simple tools, extraordinary results.

Everything we’re learning about how we function best as humans in the digital age is pointing towards one of our oldest technologies: the pen and the page.

Exploratory writing – writing for ourselves, not for others, writing when we don’t know exactly what it is we want to say – is one of the most powerful and lightweight thinking tools we have at our disposal. It’s also been, until now, one of the most overlooked.

But the world’s most influential leaders are increasingly using the techniques in this book to support the key skills of the 21st century – self-mastery, creativity, focus, solution-finding, collaboration – and so can you.

Alison Jones has been helping business leaders identify and articulate what matters over a 30-year career in publishing and as a coach. The founder of Practical Inspiration Publishing and host of The Extraordinary Business Book Club podcast and community, she is passionate about the power of writing to change ourselves and the world.

It’s a simple question but a profound one: what if we saw the blank page as a space for exploring ideas rather than simply expressing them? Anyone who writes regularly knows that writing is a powerful tool for thinking. This book makes that magic accessible to everyone, at any time. Read it – and prepare to take notes!
Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Power of Regret, Drive and A Whole New Mind

Jones reveals a nearly magical cognitive secret: our thinking is made clearer and better via the practice of exploratory writing, which is easy to employ and of great value.
Robert Cialdini, author of Influence and Pre-Suasion

This is more than a brilliant book about writing; it’s a comprehensive toolkit that expands the way we think and create. The book is full of multiple and illuminating insights that anyone could learn from, from those who are thinking about writing through to seasoned authors. It’s THE compendium for writers. Outstanding.
Jonathan MacDonald, change expert, speaker and author of Powered by Change

It is rare to meet someone that can make a profound difference to how you think. Alison is one of these people. Her message is very powerful and effective. Exploratory Writing provides the strategy, the tools and the magic to drive your creativity.
Chris Griffiths, best-selling author of The Creative Thinking Handbook

Alison Jones’s Exploratory Writing is a gem of a book, helping to bring to life the reason why writing can be such a salutary activity for business people, especially in these complex, fast-changing and perturbed times. Aside from ascribing value and benefit to the skill of handwriting (yes, with pen and paper), Jones sets out why and how, in the most practical and pragmatic of ways, to set aside on a regular basis a short amount of time to write. Not only is Exploratory Writing good for business, it’s good for the soul.
Minter Dial, award-winning author, filmmaker and international professional speaker

Infused with equal parts scientific research, unique tips, and humor, this brilliant book is an invitation to go deeper in our private inner worlds to be able to better change our outer one.
Molly Beck, CEO of Messy.fm and author of Reach Out

Alison Jones makes a great case for exploratory writing as a fresh way of opening up thinking about a whole range of issues – and acting on them. I’ve just used one of her many practical exercises myself, to help me over a writing block. Enjoyable as well as helpful.
Tom Schuller, author of The Paula Principle

A blank sheet of paper is intimidating. It usually inspires a sense of obligation rather than joy. That’s why students say ‘I must finish my thesis’ rather than ‘I can’t wait to finish my thesis.’ It’s why guests say ‘I have to write this thank you letter’, and it’s why professional writers say, ‘I’ve got to meet this deadline’. After all, writer’s block is the only form of mental paralysis triggered by nothing more than an unused sheet of A4.
Alison Jones stands all this firmly on its head. In Exploratory Writing, she sees a blank page as an opportunity to create an adrenalin rush of ideas, a way of opening a door in your imagination. I don’t agree with all of it (that would make for a very dull book, wouldn’t it?) but I do agree with much of it: and all of it is stimulating, fresh and original.
Roger Mavity, creative guru and writer, author of Life’s a Pitch and How to Steal Fire

An inspirational book from an inspirational person. It brims with wisdom and practical advice. This book won’t just make you more confident and assured at work, it will make you more confident and assured at living. Alison shows us the importance of writing as a vital means to grow and learn and find our path.
Charlie Corbett, author of The Art of Plain Speaking and 12 Birds to Save Your Life

This is a book that I will be referring to on a regular basis. Alison does a great job of making the case for exploratory writing, and most importantly, includes a wealth of practical and creative ways to do it. This book is relevant whether you’re new to this kind of writing, or just want some fresh ideas and inspiration. The explanations are clear, and the exercises are both enjoyable and insightful. Highly recommended!
Felicity Dwyer, author of Crafting Connection

Many people think they have a book in them but never actually start writing. This interesting approach will help everybody see the joy of freewriting just for pleasure and perhaps it might even get you started on that book too.
Harriet Kelsall, Founder and Chair of Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, NED for the British Hallmarking Council and the IPO and author of the award-winning The Creative’s Guide to Starting a Business

This is an empowering and inspiring read. Exploratory writing is a skill that Alison makes accessible, perfect for anyone who wants to supercharge their thinking and do their best work.
Julia Pimsleur, Founder of Million Dollar Women and author of Million Dollar Women and Go Big Now

I totally love the idea of this book, because it’s so absolutely true – writing stuff down really does help you to think more clearly.
Rachel Bridge, former Enterprise Editor of The Sunday Times and author of eight books including How to Start a Business without Any Money, Ambition and Already Brilliant

Finally, a book that addresses ‘paralysis by analysis’ with a practical approach to get started AND compelling theory to counter those ‘but what if ’ objections! Seeing the tabula rasa as an opportunity rather than writer’s block, Jones addresses how you think, how what you think can hold you back and, with that, takes away every excuse you might have to get started. It’s something all my students – and any procrastinators – need to read with pen and paper at the ready!
Dr Audrey Tang, chartered psychologist and author of The Leader’s Guide to Mindfulness

This is an empowering and uplifting book: such a simple idea, yet the impact is extraordinary. We so often find ourselves reacting rather than responding, feeling hurt without understanding why, or baffled by other people’s reactions. Taking time to explore what’s going on underneath the surface in a safe space can change everything, for the better.
Alice Sheldon, creator of Needs Understanding and author of Why Weren’t We Taught This at School?

An invitation into a more creative, playful relationship with writing that’s hard to resist. So often we spend our days consuming other people’s content – this is a reminder that if we simply carve out a little time and space, we too can become creators. Empowering and enjoyable stuff .
Uri Bram, CEO at The Browser and author of Thinking Statistically

With imagination and levity, this book brings together a practical toolkit of ways to use writing for greater self-understanding. Wherever you’re lacking clarity, Exploratory Writing renders you the expert in your own life – helping you uncover answers for everyday challenges in life and work.
Megan C. Hayes, PhD, psychologist, author of The Joy of Writing Things Down and Write Yourself Happy

So often the most powerful ideas are the simplest. Alison Jones reminds us of the inexhaustible, unlimited potential of the blank page, at a time when we need a safe space to express ourselves and explore our ideas, without judgement, more than ever. This is a refreshing read, but more than that, it has the potential to make life and work better for its readers
Greg McKeown, author of the New York Times bestseller Essentialism and Effortless

With wisdom and warmth, Alison Jones shows you how to unleash the life-changing magic of exploratory writing. At first glance it appears to be simply a wonderful book about creativity and building a writing habit: once you finish it, you may realize
that its true mission was to change the way you look at yourself, your work, and the world.
A. Trevor Thrall, PhD, author of The 12-Week Year for Writers

Friendly and fascinating, this book is an invigorating exploration of how writing can offer us a safe space to work through our ideas, tackle our anxieties and truly be creative on the page. Everyday magic, indeed, and a helpful reminder that we can write for ourselves as much as for our readers.
Cathy Rentzenbrink, best-selling author of The Last Act of Love, Everyone is Still Alive and Write It All Down

They say you don’t really understand something until you can explain it to someone else. But what if you can’t yet explain it to yourself? What Alison has done with this book is given everyone the power to explain any idea to themselves – even if that idea is brand new. A simple but brilliant superpower.
Tom Cheesewright, applied futurist and author of High Frequency Change and Future-proof Your Business

Many of us have noticed how jotting our thoughts down can help to soothe our mind and sharpen our ideas when we’re faced with a challenge – and in this book Alison Jones beautifully demonstrates just how powerful and accessible the technique of exploratory writing can become in our day-to-day lives. With practical guidance and warm encouragement, she shows us an effective, endlessly flexible tool for doing better, feeling better and being better. Wonderful stuff.
Caroline Webb, author of How to Have a Good Day

This is a deceptively simple book: it’s short and easy to read, but the ideas in it have the potential to change your life. Those of us who write have always understood that it’s a tool for thinking as much as for communicating, and now Alison has made this secret available and accessible to everyone, whether they think of themselves as a writer or not. Read it and be inspired!
Robin Waite, business coach and author of Take Your Shot and Online Business Startup

When you’re facing uncertainty – which is most of us, most of the time – writing can be a powerful tool for understanding and personal growth. In this book, Alison Jones shows us how to embrace the life-changing power of the blank page!
Dorie Clark, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game and executive education faculty, Duke University Fuqua School of Business

Alison’s work is a constant source of light and inspiration – this is no exception.
Sam Conniff Allende, author of Be More Pirate

So simple, yet so powerful. Pick up your pen and embark on the adventure of exploratory writing, with this book as your companion.
Anne Janzer, author of The Writer’s Process

A practical book with a profound message that the simplest of practices are often the most important if we are to live with intention and thrive – not just survive – in a world of overwhelm and anxiety.
Simon Alexander Ong, author of Energize

When I was a journalist, I used writing as a way of testing ideas and putting them into a coherent pattern. Alison Jones describes this kind of ‘exploratory writing’ with passion and truthfulness. It is a deeply thought and beautifully written book. Highly recommended.
John Howkins, author of Invisible Work

This book has profound implications for any writer. Stop fearing the blank page and get started with a simple practice of exploratory writing that will transform your life on and off the page. Packed full of practical tips – shared with enthusiasm and rigour – it is the perfect companion to deepen your critical thinking. Alison Jones will guide your life in ways you wouldn’t expect.
Bec Evans, author of Written and How to Have a Happy Hustle

I was moved by Alison’s book. Exploratory Writing made me rethink the role that writing played in my life – a really powerful book.
Bruce Daisley, author of The Joy of Work and Fortitude

This is such an enjoyable and uplifting read. So vividly written, with riveting stories, fascinating references and packed full of practical tools. I have often noticed how talking about something can deepen my understanding of what I really think and feel; Exploratory Writing does the same for the process of writing. It’s a fresh and very relatable take on the ‘magic’ that writing can bring for us all. A brilliant book, as you’d expect from the brilliant Alison Jones.
Rita Clifton CBE, Chair, speaker and author of Love Your Imposter

Exploratory Writing shows us that a humble notepad and pen are often all we need to help us gain a deeper understanding of our complex brains, our work and everything in between. Bursting with clarity and wisdom, this book has brought new perspectives and an invigorating sense of adventure to my writing. Thank you and bravo, Alison.
Graham Allcott, author of How to be a Productivity Ninja and Work Fuel

Health warning for budding authors: THIS BOOK WILL LEAVE YOU EXCUSELESS.
Andy Cope, author of The Art of Being Brilliant