How to Keep a Lessons Log (the Habit Behind My Book)
For about a decade I have written down anything of value I hear: from books, podcasts, mentors and the stories people tell me. That habit became the foundation of my book.
A lessons log is a simple running record of valuable ideas, quotes, stories and lessons you come across. To keep one, choose one place to capture everything, such as a notes app, write down the idea and where it came from as soon as you hear it, add a line about why it matters to you, review and organize the entries every few weeks into themes, and use them when you write, lead, coach or make decisions.
For about a decade I have kept a running log of anything of value I hear: a line from a book, an idea from a podcast, something a mentor told me, a story a colleague shared. Every so often I go back through it and sort the entries into categories. When I sat down to write You Are Capable of More, that log was one of my most valuable resources.
It is one of the simplest habits I know, and one of the most useful. It turns the things you learn from passing moments into something you can actually use.
Why it works
Most of what we hear disappears within days. A great idea from a podcast on Monday is gone by Friday. Writing it down captures it, and reviewing it later helps you connect ideas, notice patterns and remember them when they matter. Over time, the log becomes a personal library of what you have learned.
Five steps to keep a lessons log
- Pick one place. A notes app, a document or a notebook. Just one.
- Capture right away. Write it down as soon as you hear it.
- Note the source. Who said it, or where you read it.
- Add why it matters. One line about how it applies to you.
- Review and sort. Every few weeks, group entries into themes.
Capture right away
The most important part of the habit is writing things down in the moment. If you wait, you will forget the exact words or lose the idea altogether. A phone notes app works well because it is always with you. I wrote much of my book in the gaps of a busy life, at the gym and between my kids’ games, and capturing ideas quickly made that possible.
Review and organize
Every few weeks, go back through the new entries and group them by theme: leadership, sales, confidence, family, whatever categories fit your life. You will start to see patterns in what resonates with you, and the ideas will be easier to find when you need them.
Use it
A lessons log is most valuable when you draw on it. Use it when you prepare a talk, write an article, coach someone on your team or face a hard decision. Sharing an idea with someone else is also one of the best ways to remember it yourself.
Continuous learning is part of my signature keynote, You Are Capable of More. See also The White Belt Mindset and How to Turn a Lesson Into Real Change.
A lessons log captures valuable ideas before they disappear. Use one place, write ideas down right away with the source and why they matter, review and sort them into themes every few weeks and use them when you lead, coach, write or decide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a lessons log?
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How did Chris Sund use a lessons log?
You Are Capable of More
A No-Excuses Guide to Becoming Your Best Self. The bestselling book behind Chris’s keynotes and the 2026 Paris Book Festival winner in the How-To category. Many teams hand a copy to every seller at their kickoff.
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