A Short Pencil Is Better Than A Long Memory
45. A short pencil is better than a long memory.
The good news about Tool 45 is that hopefully you’ve already started doing it. If you have implemented the blueprint system presented in this book, you are writing things down covering multiple aspects of your life. As explained earlier, by writing things down you drastically increase the probability of them happening. We are reinforcing these new directions by putting them on paper.
The other nice thing about writing stuff down is that you can go back and reference it later. If you are unsure about the power of writing things down, have you ever made a To Do list? We all have at least made a grocery list once in our lifetime. The grocery list is a perfect example. Have you ever not bought everything you had on your list? I doubt it. The example seems silly, but on a very remedial level, you greatly improved the chance of buying everything you wanted because you had it written down.
The power of the short pencil extends greatly past lists and goal setting. There are many times I can remember going to speakers and events and just listening. I believed at the time that I would remember all the things that were covered, or if they at least had an outline I would be cool. The truth is that the studies show you will only remember 10% at most, and after a few weeks you will have forgotten 99% of the material.
So my suggestion to you is to take notes at these events, especially if you are paying good money for a seminar. You want to make the most out of being there. First, take notes at the event. Then every night after each day of the event, take 30 minutes to rewrite your notes. It will drastically improve your retention and it will assist you in completing the last step. Send yourself a postcard from where you are at reminding you to type your notes. Most seminars are located at a hotel or have some shop nearby. Just mail it to yourself and write “Type Notes.” It will take a couple of days to get to you, giving you time to think a little about what you have learned.
Also, since you have rewritten your notes after each day, they will be clear and concise. The final great part about typing them out, you will have your own personal resource to be able to go back and visit. Also, if you forgot something, you have the peace of mind knowing exactly where to find it. You may be thinking to yourself that it will take time. Yes, it will, but you are just wasting time and money if you don’t make the best effort to retain what you have learned. Time well spent is an enriching way to spend time. This can apply to anything in your life, work, pleasure, classes and on and on, but if you’re doing these things and want to get the most out of them, this is what the successful people are doing. So if you need help in this area, pick this Tool and that’s what you’ll be doing.