Hey Lykkers! Let's be honest—we've all been there. You're in a financial meeting, the presenter's clicking through charts, numbers are flying, and someone asks a great question.

You think, "I'll definitely remember that." Fast forward three hours, and your notes look like a mix of doodles, random numbers, and a grocery list. Sound familiar?

Taking clear notes in a financial meeting isn't about writing down everything. It's about capturing what matters so you—and your team—can act on it later. Let's walk through how to do it simply and effectively, without needing a PhD in shorthand.

Start With Purpose, Not Pages

Before the meeting even starts, ask yourself: What's the goal here?

Are you tracking decisions? Following up on tasks? Understanding a new financial model? Your purpose shapes what you listen for. As productivity expert David Allen says, “You can only feel good about what you’re not doing when you know what you’re not doing” (Getting Things Done). In note-taking terms: you can only capture what matters when you know why you’re in the room.

Structure Your Notes Around Action

Ditch the paragraph-style scribbling. Instead, divide your page—or digital doc—into three simple columns:

1. Decisions Made (The "What")

2. Action Items (The "Who & When")

3. Open Questions (The "What's Next")

This keeps you listening for outcomes, not just conversation. When someone says, "We'll allocate an additional 5% to marketing," that's a Decision. When the manager says, "Sophia will run the new forecast by Friday," that's an Action Item. When someone asks, "What's the impact on Q4 cash flow?" and there's no answer, that's an Open Question.

Use Symbols & Shorthand (Your Secret Code)

You don't need fancy abbreviations. Just create a few personal symbols:

- → for an action item

- ? for an open question

- ⬤ for a final decision

- ! for an important risk or opportunity

This lets you keep up in real-time. Instead of writing, "Mark needs to check the variance in the Q3 budget," you can jot: "→ Mark: check Q3 budget variance."

Capture the “Why” Behind the Numbers

In financial meetings, the number itself (like "revenue is down 2%") is less important than the story behind it. Always note the reason given. Was it a seasonal dip? A missed campaign? A supply chain delay? This context turns your notes from a data dump into an insightful record.

Review & Share Within 24 Hours

Here's the step most people skip: review and redistribute. Right after the meeting, take five minutes to clean up your notes. Turn your symbols into clear sentences. Fill in any blanks while the discussion is fresh.

Then, share a summary with the team. This isn't just about being helpful—it's about confirming accuracy. It ensures everyone leaves with the same understanding of what was decided and who's responsible.

Your New Meeting Mindset

Think of yourself not just as a note-taker, but as the team's memory keeper. Your notes are the tangible output of the meeting's time and brainpower. Good notes reduce follow-up emails, prevent task slippage, and create clarity—which, in finance, is as valuable as the numbers themselves.

So next time you're in a meeting, Lykkers, remember: you're not just writing things down. You're building the roadmap for what happens next. Now go grab that notebook—and leave the doodles for your coffee break.