Noteworthy Habits of Visionaries

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, Richard Branson of Virgin Group, and George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, share more than just their multibillion-dollar net worth. They all possess a common trait: a dedicated habit of tenacious notetaking.

During a conference in London on October 26, 2016, Richard Branson and Bill Gates took the stage together. Branson recounted an instance when Gates delivered the closing speech: "...he (Gates) pulled out some crumpled pieces of paper from his pocket, and I was delighted to see Bill’s notes scribbled on them." Despite being a computer genius responsible for integrating personal computers into our lives, Gates never abandoned the practice of taking notes on paper. He makes it a habit to jot down notes while reading, aiding his focus and comprehension of the material. Those who meet Gates notice his preference for using a yellow notebook, dividing its pages into quadrants —reminiscent of the Cornell method— while avoiding computers for notetaking.

Conversely, British businessman Richard Branson shared on his blog that he fills numerous notebooks each year, capturing every idea that strikes him daily. For Branson, an idea left unrecorded is an idea lost.

When engaging with students or employees, he delivers a speech and then entertains questions from the audience. He particularly admires those who ask questions while referring to their notes — notes taken either during the meeting or prepared beforehand. Branson believes that this habit of notetaking encourages thoughtful questions and fostering further discussion. Reviewing these notes later enables the notetaker to prioritize and take actionable steps – just like Mr. Branson himself.

Reflecting on my teenage years, I vividly remember being spellbound while watching the original Star Wars (Star Wars IV) on the big screen. George Lucas's storytelling and portrayal of the plot left an enduring impression on me. Subsequently, I learned that Lucas, too, was an ardent notetaker. He always carried a pocket notebook, writing down ideas, thoughts, and plot angles. This meticulous practice aided him in organizing his thoughts and transforming his imaginative visions into tangible realities that captivated us.

In essence, almost all the successful and renowned individuals, spanning centuries and eras, share a common trait: they listen attentively and take copious notes. They review these notes to organize their thoughts and subsequently prioritize action. This practice wasn't exclusive to those are named above or figures like Marie Curie, Larry David, or Oprah, to name a few successful people from various fields; they are/were all dedicated notetakers, chronicling not only their days or meetings but also the ideas and dreams in notebooks. While they all employed different techniques, there's wisdom in learning from them, yet everyone's approach may differ. Discovering the notetaking technique that suits you best is key. For guidance and insights, consider visiting selarde.com, where you can gather tips and share your ideas at www.selarde.com/ideas.

“Don’t let your ideas fade, write them down!”