For years, doodling in meetings has been misunderstood. You’ve probably caught yourself absentmindedly sketching in the margins of a notebook during a long presentation or zoning out mid-call only to realize you’ve drawn five identical boxes with perfect shading. Cue the guilt: “I should be paying attention, not drawing stars in the corner of my notes.”

But here's the twist—research suggests that doodling might not be a distraction at all. In fact, under the right conditions, it may actually enhance focus, boost memory retention, and help you stay cognitively engaged, especially during longer or more passive sessions.

So if you’re a chronic meeting-doodler, don’t rush to self-correct. You might be tapping into something that works for your brain—something worth understanding and, dare we say, even encouraging.

Let’s unpack the science, psychology, and practical benefits behind this quietly powerful habit.

What Doodling Actually Is (And Isn’t)

Doodling isn’t the same as sketching a masterpiece, and it’s definitely not the same as zoning out completely.

Doodling is defined as “a spontaneous, unfocused drawing made while a person’s attention is otherwise occupied.” It usually happens without much effort or awareness—it’s not planned or polished. Think spirals, stick figures, shapes, abstract lines, or even random shading.

And that’s what makes it interesting: it coexists with attention. Unlike scrolling on your phone or replying to emails mid-meeting, doodling doesn’t require cognitive switching. It’s a passive, low-demand activity that may, in fact, support your ability to stay present.

The Science Has Your Back

Here’s where things get compelling. A 2009 study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology found that people who doodled while listening to a monotonous message retained 29% more information than those who didn’t doodle. Participants were asked to listen to a boring phone message while either doodling or sitting still. The doodlers recalled significantly more details—despite not being asked to remember anything at all.

The researchers believe that doodling helps keep the mind from drifting into deeper daydreaming, which is more mentally detached than the simple act of sketching.

The brain needs a certain level of engagement to maintain alertness. When there’s too little stimulation (like in slow meetings), the brain is more likely to tune out. Doodling helps fill that cognitive gap without overwhelming your processing power.

Why Doodling Can Boost Focus—Not Break It

1. Doodling Acts as a Cognitive “Buffer”

When you’re in a situation that doesn’t require full mental engagement—say, a meeting that’s informative but not interactive—your brain will naturally seek out a secondary task to fill the idle space. Doodling gives it a harmless one.

It acts like a cognitive “placeholder,” keeping your mind grounded in the moment while still allowing your main focus to absorb what’s being said.

This is similar to how some people tap their foot while thinking or pace during a phone call. The low-level motor activity can support focus—not undermine it.

2. It Helps Anchor You in Long Meetings

Ever been in a two-hour meeting and realized you heard none of the second half? That’s what psychologists call “cognitive drift.”

Doodling offers a way to gently tether your mind back to the moment. It gives your brain a small job to do—so you don’t wander off entirely.

Many professionals unknowingly use doodling as a strategy to stay alert during conference calls, webinars, or presentations where active participation isn’t required. It’s not inattentiveness—it’s a technique, even if you didn’t know it was one.

3. It May Improve Creativity and Processing

There’s also a creative upside to all this.

Some research in neuroscience suggests that when the brain is in a slightly distracted state—like when doodling—it accesses what’s called the “default mode network.” This is the mental state linked with creativity, reflection, and problem-solving.

In other words, doodling could help you process ideas or form new ones in a way that fully engaged listening sometimes doesn’t allow.

You’re not just drawing flowers in the margins—you may be working through that marketing strategy in the background.

But Isn’t It Still “Unprofessional”?

Let’s be real. There’s still a cultural bias against doodling. It can look disengaged, especially in a corporate setting where attention is expected to be linear and visible.

But just because someone’s eyes aren’t locked on the speaker doesn’t mean they aren’t absorbing the content.

In fact, many high-performing professionals, creatives, and educators have long embraced doodling as a learning and retention tool. The key is context—and intention.

Are you doodling while nodding along, staying present, and absorbing the gist? That’s different from zoning out entirely.

So if you’re worried about appearances, you might consider mentioning it to your team: “Hey, just a heads-up—I tend to doodle in meetings. It actually helps me stay focused.” You’d be surprised how many people say, “Oh, me too.”

The Difference Between Helpful Doodling and Distraction

Like most habits, not all doodling is created equal. Here’s how to know if your doodling is helping you focus—or becoming a crutch:

Helpful doodling often:

• Happens automatically and lightly
• Coexists with listening and note-taking
• Doesn’t interfere with your engagement or responses
• Leaves you with a better memory of what was discussed

Distracting doodling might:

• Take up your full attention (you’re shading a masterpiece instead of listening)
• Replace note-taking entirely
• Pull you out of the room mentally
• Lead to more cognitive fatigue afterward

If you’re unsure, try checking your memory of the meeting afterward. Can you recall the key points? If yes, your doodling likely helped—not hindered—you.

Tools and Techniques to Try (Yes, Even If You're Not “Artistic”)

You don’t need to be an illustrator to doodle effectively. It’s about finding a tactile, visual rhythm that supports your attention. A few approaches that work:

1. Simple Shapes and Patterns

Start with circles, grids, swirls, or arrows. The goal isn’t beauty—it’s repetition. Repetitive motion may help soothe the nervous system while keeping the brain alert.

2. Sketchnotes or Visual Mapping

Some people blend drawing and note-taking into what’s known as sketchnoting. You might draw a lightbulb next to an idea you like, or a box to indicate a task. It’s a form of visual shorthand that supports recall.

3. Dedicated Doodle Pages

Keep a small notebook just for meeting doodles. That way, you can revisit patterns later and see what was on your mind—a fascinating way to track stress, energy, or even creativity over time.

What the Experts Say

Cognitive psychologist Dr. Jackie Andrade, who led the 2009 study on doodling and retention, emphasizes that doodling works because it occupies the brain just enough to prevent daydreaming. It doesn’t overload your working memory—it protects it from drifting.

Meanwhile, experts in education and design often encourage students and professionals to incorporate doodling into their workflow. Visual note-taking is now being taught in some schools and workplaces as a legitimate learning tool.

Some Fortune 500 companies and innovation hubs actively encourage visual thinking exercises—including doodling—as part of their brainstorming and retention processes.

So if you’ve ever worried that your notebook looks more like a sketchpad than a task list, you might actually be onto something.

💡 Today’s Tip: If your brain is too wired or restless to focus, give your hands something small and repetitive to do—like doodling—so your attention can stick around longer.

Sketch Your Way to Smarter Focus

In a world that often demands more attention than we can realistically give, tiny tools that support focus and creativity are worth celebrating. Doodling isn’t lazy or rude—it’s strategic. It’s quiet self-regulation. It’s the mind’s way of anchoring itself when things slow down or stretch out.

The next time you’re tempted to stop yourself mid-spiral drawing in a meeting, pause. Check in. Are you listening? Are you absorbing?

If yes—then let the pen keep moving.

You’re not spacing out. You’re focusing differently.