The Power of Notetaking
How many of you go to a meeting and think, “oh I’ll remember this, or this isn’t important”? I think we have all been there!
It wasn’t until I was 4+ years into my career that I started to notice the power of taking notes. With so much coming in, I started to second guess how I would ever be able to juggle getting my work done, advancing in my career, and building value.
Quick Story
I remember I was in a meeting with executives. I was the only woman and was the youngest by at least 15 years. I started to think that these men were not going to take me seriously. When the meeting was in session, I decided it would be best if I listened and took notes since there could be a possibility that the information shared would benefit my career goals/growth.
However, did not anticipate they would benefit us all immediately. During the meeting, I jotted down each idea the executives had, even if it wasn’t a complete thought. While they all were discepting each other’s ideas in a reactionary way, I was busy compiling parts from each person to propose an executive summary.
They finally asked my thoughts, and promptly I spewed out the executive summary. To my surprise they loved it!
That is when I started to write down everything.
From quick conversations with bosses and coworkers to very important meetings, everything was getting notes taken. I started to catch myself writing down brainstorming ideas I had when I was in those meetings too as that is when creativity and problem solving went into high gear!
Soon I figured out how much it helped me remember things and truly build value for others!
The VARK Model suggests there are 4 main learning styles. Visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. Check out this article here & below to see what learning style you gravitate towards the most.
You may be a visual learner if …
- Your notes are covered with drawings
- You are good with remembering faces but not names
- You can spell well
- You’d rather read a story than listen to it
- You’re good with maps and directions
You may be an auditory learner if …
- You are easily distracted by noises
- You have difficulty working quietly for long periods of time
- You are a good listener
- You easily remember what others say
You may be a kinesthetic learner if …
- You excel at sports, art or drama
- You enjoy building, making or creating
- You have trouble sitting still
- You fiddle with objects while thinking
You may be a reading/writing learner if …
- You love making lists
- You enjoy reading and writing
- You prefer to have written direction
I am a mix between all of them and find that kinesthetic works best for long-term memory and writing works best for short-term or things I need to get done. Which learning type(s) sound(s) most like you?
With technology, we may think the era of taking notes is over. I can assure you that is far from the case.
Why is Taking Notes so Important?
Here is a very simplified list of why taking notes with a notebook and pen is so important.
– Shows your willingness to learn and be better
– It is respectful to the speaker
– Your boss WILL notice and remember
– Helps you remember the fine details in meetings or conversations
– Easier to link topics together and figure out how they relate to show more value to your organization
– Makes it easier for you to problem solve
– You will feel in more control of your career and daily work demands
– Reduces stress
– Gives you an opportunity to jot down your game plan
– Keeps you on track, making you more productive
– Helps you retain more information
– Improves your memory
– Increases your value !
If you are like many of us, we have gotten used to not taking notes in meetings. Now is the time to start it up again!
How to Start Taking Notes!
If you have never taken notes in a meeting, that’s okay! I get it, some of us get annoyed by the task, and some do not like it because they can’t read their own handwriting! Whatever the reason, stay dedicated and remember The Power of Note-Taking!
Be prepared
Gather your supplies. Find your favorite notebook or one that makes you smile. I personally like to use those .50-cent notebooks from an office supply store. There is no need to go out and buy a $30+ journal that is leather bound and the whole 9 yards. You will go through way too fast for it to pay off. You are taking notes after all.
Also, if there is a preference on the type of pen/pencil you like. Now is the time to find and use it!
Channel your inner student.
Remember the days studying for midterms and finals, where you crammed endless chapters into a night, scrambling to take as many notes as you could?
You were living life off of coffee, candy, and ramen noodles. Those were the days… Luckily now you have some sort of an income and do not need to pull all-nighters.
Channel that inner student and instead this time you don’t need to scramble to take notes. You can take your time and really absorb what you are writing down.
Stay Organized
Taking notes is great. I promise it really is great, but only if you can reference them efficiently later in time.
Title your notes with the meeting title, the date, and who attended. After you have taken your notes, tag/tab with those neon-colored tabs. Write the topic of the meeting/notes on that colored tab and stagger them in the notebook.
Start small and set goals!
Start becoming familiar with notes. In other words, start small and work your way up.
Start with maybe 5 minutes or maybe a page. Something that is doable and will not annoy you or feel like a chore. It should feel fun and pleasant.
Set yourself a goal and slowly increase your goals each time you go to a meeting.
Maybe a goal would be simply bringing a notebook to the meeting.
Some Tough Love
Stop fooling yourself that you will remember, and start writing information down! You will thank yourself when you start feeling more in control of your career growth, create more value for your organization, and get that promotion!
Best,
-Kari K.
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