Pencils don’t get enough respect. You probably don’t use a pencil all that often, and I don’t blame you. It’s much easier to take notes with a pen. They’re just easier to handle, the way they flow over the paper and all. But there are many ways to use a pencil. Actually, pencils can help you do a lot of things better.

Read with a pencil. You should keep a pencil on hand when you read a difficult book. Take small notes in the margin as you read and underline important phrases. Then go back over the book and hit those important points again.

Give a speech with a pencil. Some people keep a pencil in their hand when speaking in public. The pencil can serve as a focal point to keep you calm, or it can keep you from straying from your notes.

Plan with a pencil. You should use a visual depiction of your thoughts as you brainstorm or make an outline. If you use a pencil, you can erase and replace.

Just remember to keep a pencil on hand, even though you won’t always use it. Because when you do need one, you really need one. Can you think of other uses I haven’t mentioned?