In short
- Use a small, fixed set of symbols and stick to it.
- Mark decisions, actions, questions and risks differently.
- Use initials for people.
- Never abbreviate numbers, names you'll need to spell, or commitments.
Symbols for structure
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| D: | Decision |
| → | Action / leads to |
| ? | Open question |
| ! | Risk or important |
| ★ | Come back to this |
| ≠ | Disagreement |
| ↑ / ↓ | Increase / decrease |
| ∴ | Therefore |
| @ | Owner (e.g. @PS) |
Common abbreviations
| Abbr. | Meaning |
|---|---|
| w/ · w/o | with · without |
| b/c | because |
| re | regarding |
| approx | approximately |
| eta | expected date |
| fu | follow up |
| yoy · mom | year on year · month on month |
| tbd | to be decided |
| pls · thx | please · thanks |
Build your own
- Abbreviate words you hear in every meeting: your product, your customers, your team's jargon.
- Keep a legend at the top of your notes until it's automatic.
- Use initials for people: "→ PS deck Thu" is a complete action.
Never abbreviate
- Numbers. Write "1.8 cr", not "~2".
- Commitments. Write the exact words: "by Friday", not "soon".
- Names you'll need to spell later.
Next: taking notes on a call without missing the conversation.
Questions people ask
What are common note-taking abbreviations?
Examples include w/ (with), w/o (without), b/c (because), re (regarding), tbd (to be decided) and fu (follow up), plus symbols like → for actions and ? for open questions.
Should I learn shorthand for meetings?
Formal shorthand takes months. A small personal set of symbols and abbreviations gets most of the benefit in a week.
What should I never abbreviate in notes?
Numbers, commitments with dates, and names you'll need to spell correctly later.
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