7 Note-taking Methods to Memorize like a Genius

An example of good note-taking in a martial artist training journal.

I have met lots of people who want to use a training notebook but struggle with the best way to take notes you can use to memorize better. That’s understandable because many people use a training journal just as if it were a personal diary, writing in long hand and adding every detail of their training session.

There’s a better approach and it involves writing to enhance learning, memorization, review, and recall. First, you don’t have to write everything down that is taught in a class. In fact, let’s make it a rule: DON’T write everything down. Instead, focus on 5-9 of the most important techniques or drills. That’s because your brain probably won’t retain more than that in your short-term memory. The point of good note-taking is good organization of the most essential notes so that it’s easy to recall and review. Now, to get the most of out of your training notebook and use it to learn quicker and better, I highly recommend the following*:

1. Multicolored pen

   • I hIghly recommend using pens that come with 4-colors; red, blue, green, black. Some even come with a pencil plus red, black, and blue. Either one is fine and better than single-color pens. I love these types of pens because then I can color code my notes on the fly. You don’t have to color code everything but it’s nice to be able to do it quickly if you choose to. Having multiple SEPARATE pens is just time-consuming and tedious, especially when you want to focus on remembering something from class not on where that other pen is. Nothing worse than trying to switch to a different-colored pen and not being able to find it to then discovering it was under your lap when you get up from your seat.

2. Short-hand, Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Symbols

   • Write in short sentences and use short-hand, acronyms, abbreviations, and symbols. No need for long-winded sentences. Stick to the main elements and most important parts, especially if you’re writing down the steps to a technique or drill. Also, you want to write down things you can recognize at a glance and from afar. In fact, aim to leave lots of white space when you take notes. Believe me, that white space will be easy on the eyes when it comes time to review. One of the features of the JIMI Notebook is that it comes with a custom-tailored shorthand system for martial artists known as the JIMI Key.

3. Sketch

   • Pictures are invaluable for memorization because sometimes words, even shortened, can’t capture the description of a technique. And you don’t have to be a comic book illustrator to do this. Even basic kindergarten-level drawing skills are beneficial. I remember using stick figures to illustrate certain Filipino Kali techniques and to this day I can look at those sketches and remember exactly what I’m supposed to do.

4. Memorable words and vivid imagery

   • Another hack to make your notes easier to remember is to use words or imagery that are very memorable and vivid. Memorable words and vivid imagery can be things that trigger personal recollections, curse words, absurd/funny/sexual words and pictures, universal symbols like the red stop sign, and more. For example, when you jot down the need to roll out your body so you can escape out of an arm bar, you can write, “Keep arm Str8 - roll body” or you can write, “Roll like hotdog.” The wacky imagery captures a lot and the word “hotdog” can even act as a trigger to remember what to do to escape the arm bar.

5. Flow charts

   • A flowchart is a diagram that depicts a process. This is a great visual way to list the moves needed to perform a technique. It’s also a great way to display a number of potential paths and subpaths to take in a fight. For ex. grapplers use flowcharts to display the process from a takedown to a submission with all of the possible options. These options can be everything from what path to take if the opponent resists the takedown or if the opponent escapes from one type of submission so you can attempt another move or submission.

6. Mindmaps

   • A mind map is an illustration with a main topic in the middle of the page with lines connecting from the middle to a number of subtopics or details, and, then from those subtopics/details, more lines connecting to sub-sub topics or sub-details. Many liken it to a spider-web. Mindmaps are great when you want to collect lots of knowledge about a topic on one page. With mindmaps, you can lay out all the main forms or techniques of a particular style as a form of cheatsheet. This is especially useful when you want to remember the history or traditions of your martial art.

7. Bullet points and Numbers

   • Bullet points or numbers are useful to divide topics and subtopics or details. The best example is this article. I’m using both numbers and bullet points to divide the information in this article. It makes it easy to read this article, right? If after reading this you wanted to find out the tip on flowcharts, you’d know exactly where to go. Just imagine for a second, if I had written this article without those bullet points and numbers and just as a series of paragraphs. You’d find the section on flowcharts, eventually, but it wouldn’t be as easy to review or recall.

These different note-taking methods are effective at helping you learn your martial art and other movement disciplines. If you’re already using one method and it works for you, keep doing it. Some methods are better for certain things than others. Feel free to mix it up or to try a method you haven’t done before. You might be surprised how well it works for you.

*This works best when you take notes AFTER class. Taking notes during class will probably not work unless your instructor allows you to write during the class and you write quickly. Nonetheless, during class, you are better off focusing on the instructor instead of trying to write things. In a future post, I’ll go over tips on what to do to improve how you learn as the instructor teaches.

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These tips are part of the Master Your Moves (MYM) Method, a system of learning based on neuroscience, sports psychology, and practical experience to help you be the best performer in martial arts. Designed for beginners and applicable to all martial arts from Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Muay Thai, MMA, Karate, Taekwondo, Jeet Kune Do, Wrestling, and more! To learn more about the MYM Method, go here. To get the latest news and updates on MYM content, products, and events, subscribe here. Get these useful tips and spread the word.

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In the comments below, let me know what works for you.