At the BNI UK Conference, Darren Jamieson delivered a direct, humorous and practical talk that spoke to a problem every conference-goer faces: how do you stop your notes from gathering dust the moment the event ends?

Opening with a playful nod to Annie the Musical, Darren poked fun at the classic habit of writing pages of notes, only to file them away and never act on them. With his usual wit, he confessed that he no longer takes notes at all – and explained exactly what he does instead.

Don’t take notes. Take actions

Darren’s first point was to ditch traditional note-taking. Rather than recording what speakers say, he jots down direct actions – things he’s going to do as a result. If it’s not actionable, it’s not worth writing down.

Schedule your actions immediately

A to-do list is useless without a time slot. Darren emphasised that every action must be given a date and time in your diary or CRM. As he put it, “A goal without a deadline is just a dream.” By blocking out time there and then, you protect it from distractions and ensure it gets done.

Do short tasks on the spot

The biggest insight came in the form of what Darren calls “three-minute actions.” These are tasks that can be completed instantly — such as sending a WhatsApp message, firing off an email, or booking a follow-up call. If it takes three minutes or less, don’t schedule it. Do it right there and then, even while the speaker is still talking.

Darren’s talk wasn’t hypothetical. He walked the walk by sharing that out of the nine actions he recorded the previous day, two were already done. That’s before the conference even ended. This, he explained, is how you create immediate impact instead of delaying results until “tomorrow” — a day that never seems to come.

He closed with a powerful reminder: conferences aren’t about gathering ideas. They’re about creating change. And change comes from action.

Darren’s practical, no-nonsense advice resonated with new and experienced BNI members alike. Whether it’s your first conference or your fiftieth, his three-step system will transform the way you engage with events — and ensure you leave with progress, not just paper.

Video Transcript

(00:00) Now, as Annie sang: “Tomorrow, tomorrow, you’re always a day away.” You didn’t think you’d get an Annie reference in this, did you? But here we are. Any musical fans in the room?

(00:12) So, is everybody having a great BNI UK Conference so far? Yes? Fantastic. I’m in the right place then. It’s always worth checking.

(00:20) I’ve been asked to do an education slot on how you can get the best out of your BNI UK Conference experience… despite the fact this is my first BNI UK Conference.

(00:30) The irony is not lost on me. I hope it’s not lost on you either. But it’s not my first BNI conference. I was in Hawaii in November. I know – big time, right? Weather was a lot better than here.

(00:41) I’ve been to many other conferences throughout my short life. I’m sure you’ve all been to conferences as well, even if this is your first UK one.

(00:50) Show of hands: has anybody here never been to a conference of any kind in their lives? Fantastic – you’ve all been to conferences.

(00:59) And I’m sure, just like me, you’ve made copious notes at conferences… and then filed them away in a drawer, cupboard, or shelf, never to be seen again. Does that sound familiar?

(01:12) Fantastic. So, I’m going to give you a few tips now on how to not do that – and how to actually benefit from what you hear.

(01:19) Little secret – I don’t make notes anymore. I don’t make notes at all. I know, genius. Phil Berg mentioned those people who just sit there not writing anything. Yeah, that’s me.

(01:29) I don’t write notes because I can’t read my own handwriting. And even if I could, I wouldn’t look at them again.

(01:36) What I do write down – very legibly, very slowly – are actions. I write down what I’m going to do. Just like Katherine Sagers said yesterday: actions for what you’ll do after the conference.

(01:48) Now, that’s not groundbreaking. We all know about actions. But – when are you going to do those actions?

(01:54) As Annie sang: “Tomorrow, tomorrow…” You say you’ll do something tomorrow, but it never happens. A goal without a deadline is just a dream.

(02:05) So, my second tip – instead of just writing a list of actions – is to actually schedule them. Put them in your calendar. Log them into your CRM.

(02:14) If a speaker says something that triggers an idea, block out time. For example: next Tuesday, 2:00–3:00, I’m doing that action. Now no one else can book you, and it will happen.

(02:26) I made nine actions yesterday. I say 11, but that’s a lie – it was nine. And here’s why.

(02:32) My third tip – it’s all very well writing actions and scheduling them, but… imagine this: you’re leaving the conference having already done some of them. That’s impact.

(02:42) Phil Berg asked, what would have made this a great conference for you? Do that now.

(02:49) If you’ve got an action that takes just three minutes – how long? Three minutes – do it right there and then. While the speaker is still on stage. If it’s a WhatsApp message or a quick email, get it done.

(03:01) Marginal gains – that’s how you make real change. That’s how you get real results.

(03:07) So yes, I only have nine actions because two of them I completed yesterday.

(03:13) So here’s the summary:

(03:15) Number one: don’t write notes. Write actions.

(03:18) Number two: don’t just list them. Put them in your calendar or CRM. Give them a time and date so they actually get done.

(03:26) Number three: if it’s a short one – three minutes or less – don’t delay. Do it now. Even while the speaker’s talking. They won’t mind.

(03:34) The point is, it’s not about having a good time. It’s about making a difference. That difference starts during the conference, not after.

(03:43) Now, if you’re still not convinced, let me tell you – the most powerful moment of any event isn’t what happens on stage. It’s what you do with it after.

(03:52) So make that decision: don’t just consume. Act.

(03:56) And finally, here’s something I always ask myself at the end of a conference like this. What’s the one thing I can do today that my future self will thank me for?

(04:07) It doesn’t need to be huge. Just one thing. One email. One call. One conversation you’ve been meaning to have.

(04:15) Get that done before the end of the day. If you leave here having already made progress, then this wasn’t just a conference. It was a turning point.

(04:25) That’s how we build momentum. That’s how we grow. And that’s how BNI works best – when we take action for ourselves and for each other.

(04:35) So, be the person who gets things done. Be the one who acts now, not later. And most importantly, enjoy the rest of the conference.

(04:45) You’re surrounded by opportunities here. Conversations. Ideas. Referrals. Friendships. Don’t let them walk past you while you’re scribbling away in a notebook.

(04:55) Thank you again for being here. Thank you for listening. And thank you for being part of what makes BNI brilliant.

(05:00) Cheers.