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One thing to consider is that taking notes in a meeting is not about recording all information that is communicated. The key is to summarize the high-level point ("we cannot take approach X"), who stated it ("according to Bob"), and why ("because X will slow down Y"). This gives you sufficient info to reconstruct the main message and to know who to ask for more detail if needed.


I tell myself that, but in truth the main value in taking notes is it forces me to pay attention. When I'm not daydreaming about how I would make the last point in a different way (thus missing the current one), or thinking about whatever project I'm doing at home I get a lot more out of the talk.

I sometimes pretend I'm translating to Spanish (I don't know near enough Spanish to do this, but in my mind it is okay to make the English words with a Spanish ending and not worry if anyone else would understand). this doesn't work as well, but it still keeps my mind on listening and so I get more out of it.


Muy cleverito


When the CEO asks what you think about it, just go

  Chico, this no bueno!


I take a similair approach. Write down the important points and who stated them. Often times I will simply lead with the Bob: and not write "according to"




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