Recently I had a chance to mentor couple startups.
We had half an hour scheduled for the session each.
When they came to table where I was sitting, we greeted each other and then I asked them how can I help.
They didn’t know. They had no questions prepared.
They were just hoping I will tell them something useful.

On contrary I had Skype call with one friend from P&G times who wants to leave corporate world and start his own business.
When we started he had questions ready, summarised what we talked at the end of the call and left call with 5 (!) pages of handwritten notes. Similar experience last week with Canadian filmmaker I talked to about one of this projects.

Why is this so important for me and I strongly believe for all of us?

Most of all, writing structures your thinking.

When you prepare your questions in writing it makes you think.
Simple test I give to people on this topic.
I ask them “Do you know what you want to achieve in life, what are your goals?”
Everybody says yes. Then, write it down.
At that very moment they will realise they don’t really know.

This is one of the reasons I also write this blog.
To make me think harder and to give structure to what I think.

Also, if you summarise meeting in writing you have notes left you can come back to.

Last week I had coffee with one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Czech republic and we talked about business and life. At the end of our informal meeting he said: “OK, so from today I am leaving with these things” – and he summarised 3 points he learned during our talk.

My strong belief is, that for long term success in life and business
small things like this add up.
Therefore my advice is simple:
Prepare questions (in writing), make notes.

Related posts: To Do List; Hard Work Explained