Turn Conference Chaos into Clarity

Conferences move fast—ideas, people, and inspiration all at once. The problem is, most of that energy disappears as soon as you get home. In this newsletter, I’ll share a simple way to keep those insights from fading so you can actually use them later without adding more work to your plate.

Why Notes Matter More Than You Think

When I first started going to conferences, I assumed I’d remember the best ideas just because they were exciting at the moment. But by the time I got home, most of it was gone.

I realized the real value of a conference doesn’t come from the sessions or speakers—it comes from what you remember and apply afterward.

That means you need a way to capture key ideas fast and in a way that you’ll actually use later.

Once I figured that out, conferences went from being a blur of information to something that actually improved how I work.

The Simple System That Works

Here’s what I do now.

Before a conference, I pick one place for notes—a small journal or one page in my notes app.

During sessions, I jot one quick line: the idea and who said it. That’s it unless more context is really needed.

If something really stands out, I record a short voice memo after the session—just a minute or two talking through what caught my attention and what I might do next or ideas that is spawned.

When I get home, I pull all those notes, photos, and memos into one place—usually a Roam Research page—and have a tool summarize the main points and action items.

Then I tag people to follow up with, add tasks to my list, and schedule some time within a day or two to review it all. It’s quick, flexible, and actually helps me remember and act on what I learned instead of letting it fade into “conference fog.”

Extra Extra

• Why Reflection is Key to Learning – Great reminder that capturing notes isn’t enough—it’s reviewing them that locks in learning.

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