How taking meeting notes can transform the way you work

Back-to-back meetings can be overwhelming, and retaining the details of every discussion could weigh on you. But if you're in the habit of taking due notes for every meeting you attend, it can make things much easier. This simple habit could give you an edge over your peers and steer your productivity. Here's everything you've got to know about note-taking during meetings and how it can change the way you work.

Promotes active listening

When you get into the habit of taking notes during meetings, you push yourself to concentrate more on what's being discussed. This helps you stay focused and turns you into an active listener, which is a great asset. As a result of your active listening, you'll be able to provide meaningful feedback and ask thoughtful clarifying questions that deepen the conversation.

Ensures good retention and accountability

Jotting down discussion notes frees up mental space and ultimately helps you retain information more effectively. Review your notes later on, and you end up further reinforcing the material. Plus, having clear documentation of action items, task ownership, and deadlines improves your contributions and accountability.

Streamlines decision making

If you record every meeting you attend through notes, you can track previous discussions and refer back to them at any time. This allows you to identify patterns and analyze the outcomes of past decisions. You get a better picture of the whole process and can make more informed choices in the future.

Saves time and reduces repetition

Whether sharing a meeting summary with a teammate who couldn't attend or revisiting a topic for better understanding, you can handle it all with regular note-taking. This small habit gives you the ability to quickly review material—whether on your own or with your team—so you minimize repetitive discussions.

Helps avoid miscommunication

Meeting notes provide clear, well-organized evidence of what was discussed, thereby eliminating confusion between team members. By quickly sending the material to all stakeholders, you keep everyone on the same page—you could even save a project from going off course. 

Zoho Cliq supports built-in notes for all your meetings. These meeting notes are synced with the notes section in Cliq and can be accessed, edited, or shared with others as well.