Kathleen, I have read most of the book, watched the videos, and started my Zettlekasten. However, as I move along, I run into questions. I want to thank you for doing this video series as it reinforces my journey. Looking forward to the next one.
I love this for dummies series. It suits non-academics like myself that sometimes feel that ZTK may be for the elite only. It is both actionable and motivating as you have done all the hard work for us. Thank you.
Hi Kathleen! Thank you for making this video series. I am super committed to making my Zettlekasten and I feel like I understand the concepts but I'm also a very literal and rule focused person so I over think and then question if I'm doing it the right way. I'm excited to start watching your series. :)
I think you are in the right place, Kristen. I made this series with people who tend to over-think things in mind. Please ask questions as you go through the series. I am happy to help.
This is exactly what I wish I had when I first learned about Zettelkasten! It all really DID seem like a huge math problem to me. My ADHD loved the idea but also was paralyzed by all the information and didn't know where to start. I read Scott's book but I couldn't find enough simple examples to help my brain absorb the concepts. It took MONTHS for my brain to get it
@@KathleenSpracklenThanks for asking! I haven't started. Very overwhelmed by the big book that I just received. Your series is helping me so much!! I am getting some 4x6 cards today and am going to start. Thank you for this brilliant series 🙏🏻
One quick Q (happy to have a simple yes or no as I start out): Is there a way to incorporate "facts" into a zettelcasten? Like under the 8,000 section all on its own? I have a gazillion facts from various courses I've taken and they all exist in binders with no real way to reference or find them once the course is done. I can imagine building a section of my Z for each course, but I've heard over and over that this is not the way to use a Z. Would my attempts be futile if I tried??
Very excited for this series, Kathleen! Quick question ... if I have more than one card of notes for my book, would you recommend I write on the back of cards? Why or why not?
Thank you, Vanessa. If you call the lined side "the front" and the blank side "the back", then I generally take notes on the back side of my bib cards. For the first card, the front side is the book, author, and your purpose, but for the second card and beyond that side is mostly empty. I've tried using both sides, to avoid the wasted space, but I ended up confusing myself as to the flow. You are free to use the front or the back or both. You get to choose. There are no hard-fast rules there.
@@KathleenSpracklen Thank you, that's just what I needed. I mostly use blank cards (both sides). Knowing myself, I think I would get confused and have the same "flow" problem you described. I'm going with stick with using only one side for now. Thank you so much for the fast response!
I think a big problem with the way Zettelkasten is taught today is that too many people present it as a turn-key system which is going to solve all their note-taking problems. The YT gurus talk about Luhmann's system as if it is the 'right way' to implement a ZK. The note from the German student you received recently about your numbering system being 'wrong' is a great example. To me, this totally misses the mark. Luhmann made his ZK to fit his specific need; to consolidate his voluminous research into an easily retrievable and cross referenced system. If you are trying to adapt his exact system to take lecture notes in school, for instance, you are going to find it doesn't work that well for that specific use and you are going to struggle with it. The key to making a good ZK is to learn how to tailor a system specifically to what you want to use it for. Luhmann's model is a great example of how far one can take a Zettelkasten but using his exact system as the 'right way' is almost never the right way.
@@zakariahussein962 I wouldn't. I think the mix of ideas and information can be handled beautifully within a ZK. It does lectures just as well as books, too. I just chose a book as a first example to keep things very simple for overwhelmed beginners. I've taken lecture notes directly onto bibcards. I note the time every so often. Videos are even easier as you have the minutes on the screen and you can pause to take notes. The time serves like a page number.
I really do love the idea of Zettelkasten but struggle with the idea of how to catalogue and link the cards which makes it feel like I will get it wrong. I feel that I will not be able to find or consolidate any of my learning and research which means I am avoiding it. Unfortunately, this also means that I am already living the fear and I am already disorganised in the how to find notes and link ideas department. 😢
I will go through all the steps in this series. I am breaking everything down to just one step per lesson as many have told me that they feel overwhelmed by the ZK. If you can do this step, you will be able to do the next and so on. By the end of the series you will be working with your ZK.
Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it. I should have perhaps made a more useful point i.e. that you might have explained what it is in 10-30 seconds at the start of the video (?)
@@iosmusicman Oh, thank you! That does help. I appreciate your clarification. So would you say the mistake I made was in not explaining what a Zettelkasten is?
For me, that’s it in a nutshell. I was drawn in by the thumbnail and very curious to know what it’s all about but you still hadn’t explained what it is by the time I felt like leaving. It is only my opinion. I apologise for the initial comment coming across as more negative than I intended.
@@iosmusicman You need not apologize. Sometimes truth with a barb penetrates more deeply. I am happy to hear it was accidental, but may have turned out to be a gift. I see the need for an overview and another commenter has shown me the need for a map as to where we are going. You have improved the series! So, thank you.
Kathleen! I’m excited to discover this series. It sounds built just for me. Starting today!
I am so excited to hear that you are starting today. Bravo! If you ever feel stuck, post a question. I'm here to help.
Kathleen, I have read most of the book, watched the videos, and started my Zettlekasten. However, as I move along, I run into questions. I want to thank you for doing this video series as it reinforces my journey. Looking forward to the next one.
I am so happy to hear that this video is helpful for your journey, Bob and Laura. I will be thinking of you as I prepare future episodes.
I love this for dummies series. It suits non-academics like myself that sometimes feel that ZTK may be for the elite only. It is both actionable and motivating as you have done all the hard work for us. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Zakaraih. I thought you might scoff at this as being too basic for you. I am delighted to hear that you think it is worthwhile.
6:50 - this is Meeeeeeeeeee!
I hope this series will prove useful for you, Lynn. Where are you with your Zettelkasten?
I am ready for this exciting Journey! It is always worth to review the basics ( why we do, what we do)
Marcos, I'm delighted that you, a veteran of my videos, find this inspiring. You give me courage to go forward.
I love this! First grade is always worth repeating. Especially with someone other than Mrs. Nordyke.
LOL. I hope this will provide some worth for you, Nathan.
Hi Kathleen! Thank you for making this video series. I am super committed to making my Zettlekasten and I feel like I understand the concepts but I'm also a very literal and rule focused person so I over think and then question if I'm doing it the right way. I'm excited to start watching your series. :)
I think you are in the right place, Kristen. I made this series with people who tend to over-think things in mind. Please ask questions as you go through the series. I am happy to help.
I feel so seen in this!!! Thank you thank you!!!!
You are so very welcome. I hope it will help you get your Zettelkasten up and working for you.
This is exactly what I wish I had when I first learned about Zettelkasten! It all really DID seem like a huge math problem to me. My ADHD loved the idea but also was paralyzed by all the information and didn't know where to start. I read Scott's book but I couldn't find enough simple examples to help my brain absorb the concepts. It took MONTHS for my brain to get it
Thank you, Dawn. It is encouraging to me that you feel this would have helped you when you were just getting started.
Ok so… I LOVE you for this.
This is encouraging. I hope you found some value in this episode.
Thank you so much for this!! ❤❤❤
Thank you. This was great
I am happy to hear that you got some value from this video.
Brill!
Thanks! Where are you with your ZK, Susan?
@@KathleenSpracklenThanks for asking! I haven't started. Very overwhelmed by the big book that I just received. Your series is helping me so much!! I am getting some 4x6 cards today and am going to start. Thank you for this brilliant series 🙏🏻
@@susanj3513 How exciting that you are starting. Please be sure to comment if any questions come up for you with this series.
@@KathleenSpracklenI will! Your approach is so helpful and clear!
One quick Q (happy to have a simple yes or no as I start out): Is there a way to incorporate "facts" into a zettelcasten? Like under the 8,000 section all on its own? I have a gazillion facts from various courses I've taken and they all exist in binders with no real way to reference or find them once the course is done. I can imagine building a section of my Z for each course, but I've heard over and over that this is not the way to use a Z. Would my attempts be futile if I tried??
I love this! So happy you are doing this. ❤❤❤
Bev, thank you for your support!
You are a God send! Thank you! Zettelkasten for the neurodivergent? 😅🎉
I am so happy that you are getting value from this video.
Very excited for this series, Kathleen! Quick question ... if I have more than one card of notes for my book, would you recommend I write on the back of cards? Why or why not?
Thank you, Vanessa. If you call the lined side "the front" and the blank side "the back", then I generally take notes on the back side of my bib cards. For the first card, the front side is the book, author, and your purpose, but for the second card and beyond that side is mostly empty. I've tried using both sides, to avoid the wasted space, but I ended up confusing myself as to the flow. You are free to use the front or the back or both. You get to choose. There are no hard-fast rules there.
@@KathleenSpracklen Thank you, that's just what I needed. I mostly use blank cards (both sides). Knowing myself, I think I would get confused and have the same "flow" problem you described. I'm going with stick with using only one side for now. Thank you so much for the fast response!
I think a big problem with the way Zettelkasten is taught today is that too many people present it as a turn-key system which is going to solve all their note-taking problems. The YT gurus talk about Luhmann's system as if it is the 'right way' to implement a ZK. The note from the German student you received recently about your numbering system being 'wrong' is a great example. To me, this totally misses the mark.
Luhmann made his ZK to fit his specific need; to consolidate his voluminous research into an easily retrievable and cross referenced system. If you are trying to adapt his exact system to take lecture notes in school, for instance, you are going to find it doesn't work that well for that specific use and you are going to struggle with it. The key to making a good ZK is to learn how to tailor a system specifically to what you want to use it for. Luhmann's model is a great example of how far one can take a Zettelkasten but using his exact system as the 'right way' is almost never the right way.
Thank you once again, Professor, for your sage words.
Intresting. I was planning to fill my ZTK with anatomy and physiology lectures, do you think I should look into other systems like evernote?
@@zakariahussein962 I wouldn't. I think the mix of ideas and information can be handled beautifully within a ZK. It does lectures just as well as books, too. I just chose a book as a first example to keep things very simple for overwhelmed beginners. I've taken lecture notes directly onto bibcards. I note the time every so often. Videos are even easier as you have the minutes on the screen and you can pause to take notes. The time serves like a page number.
@@KathleenSpracklen That is very reassuring. Thank you.
I really do love the idea of Zettelkasten but struggle with the idea of how to catalogue and link the cards which makes it feel like I will get it wrong. I feel that I will not be able to find or consolidate any of my learning and research which means I am avoiding it. Unfortunately, this also means that I am already living the fear and I am already disorganised in the how to find notes and link ideas department. 😢
I will go through all the steps in this series. I am breaking everything down to just one step per lesson as many have told me that they feel overwhelmed by the ZK. If you can do this step, you will be able to do the next and so on. By the end of the series you will be working with your ZK.
3 minutes in and you still didn’t say what it is? Really sorry to say goodbye…
That's fine. It must not be for you, then. I'm sad that it was not helpful for you, but you have many teachers to choose from.
Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it. I should have perhaps made a more useful point i.e. that you might have explained what it is in 10-30 seconds at the start of the video (?)
@@iosmusicman Oh, thank you! That does help. I appreciate your clarification. So would you say the mistake I made was in not explaining what a Zettelkasten is?
For me, that’s it in a nutshell. I was drawn in by the thumbnail and very curious to know what it’s all about but you still hadn’t explained what it is by the time I felt like leaving.
It is only my opinion. I apologise for the initial comment coming across as more negative than I intended.
@@iosmusicman You need not apologize. Sometimes truth with a barb penetrates more deeply. I am happy to hear it was accidental, but may have turned out to be a gift. I see the need for an overview and another commenter has shown me the need for a map as to where we are going. You have improved the series! So, thank you.