Write It Down; Bring It With You

Ever attend an important meeting - one where you really wanted to make a good impression - and then as soon as the meeting started you forgot all the wonderfully insightful points you were going to raise?! You're not alone - it happens to a LOT of people, actually. I could tell you exactly how many people, but, unfortunately, I forgot to write it down!

And the last three words of the problem, become its solution: Write it down!

Yes, write it down - whatever "it" happens to be - and bring it with you - to wherever you need it to be.

Unless your an actor, actress, professional singer/songwriter, or rogue card-counting gambler, the ability to memorize is rarely a prerequisite for success.

There's no downside to bringing notes with you to an important meeting, sales call, performance review, interview, etc.

• Best Case: You're so in the zone that you don't need to look at your notes.
• Worst Case: You're asked about them, to which you can simply say that you felt the conversation important enough to: (a) properly prepare; and (b) be sure not to digress off-point ... out of respect for the topic and the meetings attendees.

Tell me, who would fault you for that?