Use Structure Notes to Organize Topics in Obsidian

When there are too many rules, there is too much order, causing the effort of using the system to exceed its benefits. Attempting to take notes with a topical hierarchy order quickly becomes unwieldy and renders the system useless.
At the other end of the spectrum, taking notes with no order at all creates an unnavigable hot mess of chaos. Maximum efficiency is then found in the AND statement. You need a system that is flexible while at the same time having just enough structure to maintain usability.
Structure notes provide just enough order to avoid chaos, but not enough that it becomes a chore unworthy of your time, structured notes bring order by providing you with a temporarily valid structure for a topic, based on nothing more than your current understanding.
Video Course:
1. Getting Started: Taking Smart Notes in Obsidian • Getting Started: Takin...
2. Take Fleeting Notes in Obsidian • Take Fleeting Notes in...
3. Take Literature Notes in Obsidian • Video
4. Take Permanent Notes in Obsidian • Take Permanent Notes i...
5. Add Smart Notes to the slip box in Obsidian • Add Smart Notes to the...
6. Use Structure Notes to Organize Topics in Obsidian • Use Structure Notes to...
7. Link-first Navigation in Obsidian for Smart Notes • Link-first Navigation ...
8. Build projects from Smart Notes in Obsidian • Build projects from Sm...
9. Before you begin taking Smart Notes • Before you begin takin...
Links:
- Newsletter: theknowledgewo...
- eBook: joshduffney.gu...
- Smart Notes Obsidian Vault (Downloadable): github.com/Duf...

[@sjsonneman]

You talked about the problem of the numbered zettels. Would it work if you added a descriptive title after the number? The files would then sort (if you wanted them to do that) and you would also be able to see the titles in the graph view. It would make for long filenames and that would affect the graph. Not sure if it is a good idea, just thinking aloud.
Also, I think I noticed that you had a spot for metadata at the top of the note where the alias was given. Was that a plugin or some special feature?

[@joshuaduffney]

That's a good idea. That would certainly solve that problem, however I've begun to question the value of naming individual notes. At least in the way I'm taking them. I've veered quite a ways from the smart notes in obsidian lately, but here's my latest video and thoughts if you're interested. :) th-cam.com/video/fm45fG3A-Q4/w-d-xo.html

[@pjrap986]

Is there any reason you don't use tags? I've been experimenting with them myself as a substitute for keywords. I basically brain-dump any keywords via tags onto a note that might be even tangentially related, and then I sort of let the "true" keywords bubble up from there by seeing which ones I use more and connect organically to many different notes. You can also view them in the graph view.

[@joshuaduffney]

Really good question. My main reason for not using tags was that you cannot navigate through them. Links give you a way to navigate the different layers in your knowledge base. With that said I think tags can be useful for identifying common themes for example I've run across the zeigarnik effect in four of the most recent books I've read so the notes I take that relate to that keywords get tagged with #zeigarnik-effect. Allowing me to identify all the notes that reference that effect.
TL:DR Both are useful for difference purposes. Links provide navigation and tags identify common cross-cutting themes.

[@sjsonneman]

@@joshuaduffney How is that different to creating a [[zeigarnik]] note that will then contain backlinks to all the notes that link to it?

[@tsanganlee4689]

Hi Josh,
Thank you for sharing this inspiring idea of structure note, I learn a lot and start to know how to organize my note system.

[@joshuaduffney]

You're very welcome Tsang, thanks so much for the kind comment! :)

[@josimarcastro6805]

Muito Muito mais Muito obrigado mesmo pela forma simples de tentar ajudar uma pessoa sedenta de conhecimento neste mar de águas turvas.

[@joshuaduffney]

You're very welcome, thank you for the wonderfully kind comment!