Have you ever noticed how just before sharing your work, you suddenly spot all its flaws? This isn't just a coincidence or bad luck. It's your social brain kicking into gear.

When making something with others in mind, you activate the parts of your brain wired for social interaction. This social brain is disproportionately powerful – it's the same neural machinery that makes us instinctively notice faces in a crowd or prioritize human voices over background noise.

Think of it like lifting with your legs instead of your back. Your legs are designed for carrying heavy loads safely and efficiently, while your back is more vulnerable and prone to injury when misused. Similarly, your social brain is optimized for clear communication and spotting problems, while your solitary thinking is more susceptible to blind spots and lazy reasoning.

Here are some ways you can deliberately trigger this superpower:

  1. Imagine a specific person. What questions would they have? What background knowledge are they missing? What would they disagree with?
  2. Speak your ideas aloud. The act of verbalization forces clarity in a way silent thinking doesn't. It can also help you spot overly complicated ways of saying something.
  3. Share drafts with friends. Even just the anticipation of real feedback sharpens your thinking.

Turning on your social brain can also help with Writer's Block. When I'm staring at a blank page, I try to imagine explaining my half-formed idea to a curious friend. Suddenly, I "hear" their natural follow-up questions, guiding my next steps.

Important caveat: Relying too heavily on your social brain can lead to people-pleasing and safe, boring work. You might avoid real creative risks if you rely on it too much. The sweet spot is using your social brain as a clarity tool, not as the ultimate judge of what's worth creating. Use it to sharpen the ideas you care about, not to replace them with what you think others want to hear.

Next time you're struggling with a project—whether it's writing, designing, coding, or something else entirely—try shifting your perspective. Instead of wrestling with your ideas alone, lean on the strength of your social brain. Your thoughts become sharper, logical gaps become obvious, and unnecessary complications fall away. It's not a panacea, but it can be a helpful tool.

Your social brain isn't just for socializing; it can also be a powerful intellectual tool. All you need to do is remember to switch it on!