Stay Ahead in Your Field: Three Easy Strategies for Effective Note-Taking

Everyone wants to be a thought leader. No one has original thoughts.

There is a simple way to break out of the echo chamber of your industry and develop unique and valuable insight. Here are 3 strategies to do that.

#1. Consume quality sources. If you want to craft industry insight you’ll need to get on a diet of top-shelf sources. Beyond journals, trades, etc, consider podcasts, lectures, and other formats for your sources. Transcription services are your friend here.

#2. Observe interesting patterns. As you consume this material you’ll do yourself a service if you look for one key signal: Interestingness. When the usual, unexpected, or surprising info hits your brain, make a note.

#3. Share your observations. This is easily the highest leverage thing you can do. Why? Because folks are absolutely terrified of sharing online. Their fear is your gain. Share a take worth responding to. Or don’t, it’s your career, what do I know?