Agreed, trying to take notes that are actually valuable long term is a distraction for me. I take very sparse notes by hand, just the critical stuff: mostly nam

Agreed, trying to take notes that are actually valuable long term is a distraction for me. I take very sparse notes by hand, just the critical stuff: mostly names, dates, and anything I need to follow up on. Diagrams and doodles make up the rest. It usually takes two days to fill up a notebook page. I'll review that page when it's full and make sure everything is either done, filed away, or on my calendar. Then toss the page in the recycling bin. If detailed notes are valuable enough to keep long term, take minimal notes but record it. Later read any related written materials, then document it after you've understood it.