This quote emphasizes the significance of contemplation and reflection in the creative process. The “long periods of thinking” suggest that time spent ruminating over ideas, planning, and organizing thoughts is a crucial part of the process. This is where the essence of the work is formed and refined. The “short periods of writing” indicate that the actual act of putting thoughts into words, while important, is relatively quick and straightforward once the thinking part is thoroughly done. The act of writing is merely the culmination of the thought process, where the developed and matured ideas are finally put into words.
In the context of today’s fast-paced world, this idea is especially relevant. In our rush to produce and deliver, we often undervalue the importance of taking time to think and reflect. We are under constant pressure to deliver quickly, which often leads to a compromise on quality. This quote reminds us that the process of creation, innovation, or problem-solving requires significant time spent on contemplation and planning. It suggests that the quality of our work could be greatly improved if we devoted more time to thinking and less time to hurried execution.
In terms of personal development, this idea encourages us to slow down and take time to reflect on our actions, decisions, and experiences. It suggests that self-improvement is not a matter of constantly doing, but rather of thoughtful consideration followed by purposeful action. By spending more time in introspection, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves, our goals, and the steps we need to take to achieve them. Then, the actions we take, like the writing Hemingway refers to, will be more effective and meaningful.