First we shape our feedback loops; then they shape us

The author noticed a sharp improvement in his writing in 2019 after rereading old diaries, which he attributes to a simple habit: indexing his journal.

He numbered the pages, and every few weeks he would go back, mark interesting parts, and note keywords and page numbers inside the cover. This made him revisit and rediscover past inspirations.

Surprisingly, it also made him a better writer. He found himself avoiding parts that made him want to skim, and writing more of what made him light up. He became his own audience, writing for his future self.

The deeper lesson: feedback loops shape us. Often we are unaware of them, but if we can design clear feedback signals, like he did, we can steer ourselves in the direction we want to go.