What makes a coaching session note actually useful when you sit down to prepare next time?
Not all notes help. Here is what makes a session note genuinely useful the next time you prepare.
A useful note is short and dated, written right after the session while it is fresh. Capture what the client decided and committed to do before next time, plus one line about anything to revisit. Those items tell you exactly where to pick up, which is the whole job of a prep note. Volume is the enemy of usefulness.
Long notes go unread
A note that captures everything is a note you will not reread. Volume is the enemy of usefulness.
The point of a note is not to record the whole session but to hand your future self the few things that matter. Related: Which works better for a coach, taking notes during the session or writing them right after?
Keep reading: How can a busy coach prepare for the next client session in just a couple of minutes?, What is the best way for a coach to show a client real progress over many months of work?, How can a coach keep an accurate count of sessions remaining in every client's package?. See how CoachLedgr helps you coaching session notes and client progress ledger.
Capture decisions and commitments
The most useful things to note are what the client decided and what they committed to do before next time. Related: How can a busy coach prepare for the next client session in just a couple of minutes?
Those two items tell you exactly where to pick up, which is the whole job of a prep note.
Note what to revisit
Add a line about anything to circle back to, a topic they deflected or a goal that needs a check-in.
That prompt keeps important threads from getting dropped across many sessions.
Keep it short and dated
A short, dated note that you write right after the session, while it is fresh, beats a long one you never revisit. Related: How do you write a post-session recap email that a coaching client will actually read and act on?
Useful notes are brief, specific, and consistent, which is what makes preparing next time quick. Related: How much time should a solo coach spend each week on client notes and admin work?
- Long notes get ignored
- Record decisions and commitments
- Note what to revisit next time
- Keep notes short, dated, and fresh
Julien Jimenez
Julien Jimenez is an independent software builder based in Paris. He designs, ships, and operates focused SaaS products for small businesses and independent professionals. Read the full author page.
Frequently asked questions
Why do long, thorough session notes often go unread?
A note that captures everything is one you will not reread, because the useful parts are buried in volume. The point is to hand your future self the few things that matter, not to record the whole session.
What single addition keeps important threads from being dropped?
A short line noting anything to revisit, such as a topic the client deflected or a goal needing a check-in. That prompt carries important threads forward across many sessions.
Every client, every session, one ledger
Coaching session notes and client progress ledger. CoachLedgr is built to help you put this into practice.
Start your ledger freeMore from the CoachLedgr blog
How can a busy coach prepare for the next client session in just a couple of minutes?
What is the best way for a coach to show a client real progress over many months of work?
How can a coach keep an accurate count of sessions remaining in every client's package?
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