The First 30 Days Using a Notes App
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 พ.ค. 2024
- Want to build your own Second Brain? Get Tiago's full system here: www.buildingasecondbrain.com/...
Most people don't know how to use their digital notetaking app once they download it. This is your guide to using it effectively - for your first 30 days - whether you're using Notion, Roam, Obsidian, or Apple Notes. Don't give up!
WATCH THE FULL SERIES
• PART 1: • Pick a Notes App: Your...
• PART 2: • 75% of Notetakers Use ...
• PART 3: • Top 68 Apps to Take Di...
• PART 4: • The First 30 Days Usin...
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I got this idea from a beauty blogger who recommended keeping items on Amazon in the cart/wishlist to curb impulse buying. An easy way to implement the Quick Capture method in TH-cam is to add everything to 'Watch Later'. That way, you avoid going down TH-cam rabbit holes and the next time you open the app, you already know what to watch. Also, this made me delete so many videos that i later realised I had no interest in watching, so it significantly cut down screentime too.
This is exactly the reason why I have almost 2000 in watch later and check it rarely. So you first need a habit to watch your playlist before anything else, and that is not easy :)
I do the same but am not fully there yet.
Just like daniel I have like 1700 videos in my watch later 😂 the thing is that TH-cam is endless.... I'll never run out of things that pop up first so that I feel compelled to go to watch later. Frankly TH-cam reminds me by saying "this video is from your watch later" and every time it's interesting but I go "oh so I already have it saved, don't have to watch"
I hit max capacity, 5000 in watch later. 😅
@@Armanii911 oh wow… I wasn’t aware that there was a limit. I should start watch those videos 😂
I went full in on a second brain system in obsidian after reading David Allen's GTD and reading your website content/watching your videos 2 months ago. Your unique thoughts helped me to bridge the gap between GTD and personal knowledge management. I have never felt less stressed and feel like I am making progress in my life in all the areas I care about. Excited for your new book, thanks Tiago for sharing your ideas and philosophies on building a second brain.
Hello! I am starting to use Obsidian for PKM, switching from Notion. Did you follow a tutorial on implementing GTD or just following the GTD book and Tiago's post?
@@borisnk8535 I pretty much just followed the GTD book and Tiago's PARA method. GTD held my hand through the beginning process of dumping every "open loop" in my life into my second brain system as areas, projects, and todos as well as making sure the todos and projects are well thought out and actionable.
Other than that I have tried to follow the the PARA philosophy; this video honestly matches my system pretty well except I have two additions from GTD, a "someday/maybe" note for open loops that I don't want to focus on until later, and a "Follow up" note of things/people I am waiting on. The key to success for me has been a non-negotiable weekly review to review my current focuses, derive projects from areas and tasks from projects, and reevaluate how my system is working for me.
The nice thing about obsidian that I leverage is following the map of content (MOC) approach rather than using filesystem folders to organize my notes. So for example I have a projects note with a list of all my projects in them, some are just a line of text I look at and think of the "next action" to add to my Tasks note every week, and some I have linked to an actual detailed project note with all the next steps listed and links to useful reference notes.
@@rdd-technical6824 @rdd-technical Thanks a lot for the tips! I am falling hard on the weekly and some daily reviews also. I will try to implement the MoC and relations instead of nested folders. Also like a lot the Someday and Follow Up for having stored out of my mind the projects and things I want to do but just not right now.
Thanks for this thread! I've had the getting things done book for ages but never got past the first few chapters... Something for my Obsidian list I guess!
I felt exactly the same: BASB is the link between GTD and PKM!!! 🥰
Thank you love it, thanks you for sharing especially the way you showing with example how to apply it at the same time when explain.
This is a great video, those are old well-known concepts, but you put them all together in such a clear and meaningful way. Thanks.
Great video! Im excited to read your book! I been using Obsidian for my second brain! I just downloaded it to my phone excited to get more organized!
Thank you so much for this video Tiago! I had watched some videos in skillshare and started my own Notions page but felt overwhelmed as i felt like i'm missing a lot of things and felt almost as if i was focusing on the aesthetics and make up of the page. This 30 day challenge helps me forget all that and just focus on the bare minimum and just DO! Excited to GTD!
Great video 👍And nice idea to make it as simple as possible with Apple notes for the sake of learning the principles. Looking forward to the PARA video 👀
This will tame the multitude of notes I take on a daily basis. I think it will help me to get more done since I'll be able to have my ideas available to me when they're needed: I'll be able to be more creative. So thankful for your resourcefulness and the time spent figuring out a system to wrangle the information beast - and for promoting development of self restraint.
Discovered you today, thanks for this kind of content. I actually watched the 17 minutes video first, and am looking for more contents. I am very positively surprised at how agnostic to concrete tools you approach this, I am going to consume all your content probably. I was doing things to streamline and disable inputs already, but it's nice to learn of the downstream needs too, I was not doing that aa well, but now probably will enhance thanks to you.
I'm going to have to watch this again at half speed. It looks completely different on YT than it did visualising it from reading the book, and I've set it up completely differently. Mind blown.
wow, just found this in 2023 and its a game changer! Impressive, easy to follow, and made me want to comment on this video to say thank you!
I love this series so much!!!
I have been following you writings and teachings for a year now. I have already implemented PARA in my life and it have started to reap benefits especially in my work life. Looking forward to reading the book "BASB"
Your videos are always so helpful! Thanks!
thank you again. very helpful and focus is so much easier now
There’s a very useful exercise I picked after reading Making Work Visible, it’s called a demand analysis. The process is very similar to identify the inputs but for a software team.
I wasn't supposed to watch this but take a note and watch later. But I am glad I did watch this straight away. You have sorted out my life just then Tiago. Thank you.
Singularly the most important suggestion I heard in quite a while. This one is perfect - not little and not more. The language is simple and this is actionable. Just committing to it - and here is my day 1: TTYL
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤❤❤❤
Expert level and info on noting that other people can't really teach. They just go through basics.
Love your videos. Glad that I found your book/channel through Ali.
Damn I can't wait for the PARA series to be uploaded!
Great tips...Thank you!
So much information packed in a single video✨
Awesome video and so well-laid out. I started to use Notion about a month ago and am not sure how I got along without it before. I have now opened a new page with all of your headings and ideas to make my note-taking more efficient.
Thanks for the time you put into making this video.
Have a nice day tomorrow,
Easter
This video is a perfect example of that all you need is a pen and paper (i.e. apple notes or one note etc.) You don't need a million apps which do the same thing in a different way. Simply, just a text area with typing capabilities is all you need for productivity.
ikr. most productivity youtubers are like: yo guys, so i personally use this app for breathing, this app for drinking water, and oh yeah dont forget this app for existing.
Good video. Applying this system with Google Keep. Using the tags for the different notes to organize them.
There was so much information here I had to actually slow the video down to .75 speed. I found it extremely useful to see a visual representation of the system being built. It allowed me to conceptualise the information much more accessible.
Thank you for your this video! I will try it now. I need to organize my life and it looks helpful to it.
Great video Tiago 👌🏻
This video is great! thakn you so much, im going to commit and im hoping this helps me organise my life and thoughts in the future :)
Currently the best video about starting a Second Brain, I recommend it to people all the time.
This the foreshadowing for the PARA system!
Simple yet powerful!
Thank you for this tutorial. I now have a clear plan
This video is a godsend for a beginner like me, thank you Sir!
Useful and inspiring 😊 thanks!
I implemented PARA about 3 years ago and it has been amazing for me. I teach it to my cadets who are struggling with getting organized. I can't wait to see the TH-cam series!
what is para??
@@samanthaong7222 PARA is : Project, Areas, Resources, Archive.
Great again Tiago, thanks. I use a separate inbox voor tasks so I have a notes and a tasks inbox. Would you recommend that?
Little tips :
For the apple devices you can create a shortcut to open directly a specific note and put the shortcut on your Home page
incredibly helpful
I really appreciate your suggestion of going in this direction, as it simplifies the process and allows me to easily incorporate it into my daily life. I don't feel the need to rely on a fancy note app; I simply want to focus on getting things done. Thank you for sharing this with me.
Please help i 🙏 i have confusion of Most important input and Quick Captures. Please explain in detail what is the difference between Most important input and Quick Capture
Starting this now, in Notion, will let you know how it goes. Also, thank you!
Fantastic information! One of the missing links for me - done.
I bought your book because of this video. Got me started. Thank you.
Wow, thank you!
Thank you so much Tiago! Any idea about how to categorize something as either a "Read/Watch Later" or a "Resource"? Resources can often be articles or videos (things we'd like to read or watch later), and so it's hard to draw a line here
Great video ! Thank you so much, I'm definitely trying this out in Notion ! When did the videos about the PARA method are coming out ?
Will probably be the end of the year, our production schedule is very backed up right now. We have filmed two of the videos!
Great video. Thks sir
So promising, I can tell this is thorough, I hope it is not that time-intense
Definitely I will buy the book on audible, I hope you are the narrator
Wow. I set up my note taking app yesterday with this guidance, and I can already tell a difference in the way I am processing new information. I am still fighting the urge to go right into the action, but I can catch myself before I get too deep into it. Game changer.
How do you do 4 month later?
How do you do 8 months later?
How do you do 9 months later?
How do you do 11 months later?
How do you do 1 year later?
Awesome !!! ❤
@Tiago, fantastic content. I have one question though, are you suggesting a few notes filled up for 30 days, or a set of notes for peojects, another set for areas, more notes for references, etc?
Great video as ever Tiago. After being an Evernote fan since 2008, I found myself moving over to OneNote as my second brain. The ability to move to an app with a ‘free form’ page was a game changer for me. But the biggest benefit, which transformed my workflow was the ability to tag actions from any note and have them appear in my dedicated todo app. That makes reviewing my tasks so much easier.
Yes, OneNote tagging was a game changer for me as well. Being able to customize those tags is wonderful. OneNote also works well on all of the platforms I use.
Do you keep your tasks in Outlook's / To Do's Tasks folder, or do you move them elsewhere? Because as far as I know, the two way sync between Outlook and OneNote tasks breaks if the tasks aren't in that one folder.
What's free form ?
how do you do the "tag actions from any note and have them appear in my dedicated todo app." thing? does the action have a name or do you know a video that explains how to do it? thanks
As long as you are using OneNote on Windows, right? There are tons of missing features on the Mac version.
Need next video in this series... This is really useful please continue this series I want to learn but couldn't afford the course
Glad it's been useful! We're in the process of publishing a series of interviews with guests sharing their Second Brain setups, and then the PARA series will be out in a couple months. Stay tuned!
More free resources on the blog 👉 basb.io/blog
And in the book 👉 basb.io/book
Hey Tiago, I have a question in respects to identifying tasks, projects etc... For example, I just re-read 7 Habits of Highly Effective people. I took and organized my notes but want to continue to apply and practice the lesson's I've learned. How do you organize and keep these top of mind? Further more, like projects, I have multiple things I want to keep top of mind... how to be a better husband and new-dad, strategies and new methods I'd like to adopt, new principles/virtues to adopt, hitting goals etc... These seem to be more guidance-based notes but in the thick of work, I get tied up in day-to-day activities and tasks.
As someone who really resonates with the Bullet Journal method, including the value in fountain pen to quality paper, I see a strong connection to what I am learning from Tiago Forte because I cannot escape the need to incorporate the digital world. I am hopeful these two systems can work together since the Bullet Journal Method includes a nod to moving ideas etc to a digital space. Anyone have tips in connecting the two worlds?
Thank you. A newbie with the Second Brain (your way vs my past way). Created my value/volume list in Excel. I'm confused as to what to do with it next. I have two different lists. One for tax season, the second for non-tax season. Have I just narrowed down my priorities in my mind/for making decisions on where to place in the note app? I was trying to set up in Notepad, maybe that's not a good app to use. Do I create a single note for each input category?
this is useful. i have been wanting to stick to just ONE app and use it. Apple Notes seems to make sense in that sense. i also like that it is realistic. and practical. thank you
That's what I love to hear! 🙏 Get at it!
I would think about inputs and checking their sharing features before choosing the app. As a troublesine capturing is sure to stop us using the app.
Please make a video about Evernote and how you use it yourself
Hi Tiago! Greta video and amazing images. Which camera and lens didi you use in this video? Greetings from Brazil
Good video. I write quick notes, video etc. and set the categori, and date. After filter it, how i want. Its quick. No copy.
Hello. I was looking for directions in order to choose the right notes app for me... Strange tutorial : it starts (#1, #2, #3) with defining styles of notes taking, listing notes apps and features that fit some of these styles, and finally : a 1-size-fits-all method that could work with any notes app. It could even work with nothing more than a bunch of text files, or in pen-and-paper mode. But a 1-size-fits-all method that I can implement on both my corporate OneNote, on my personal Google apps, and even in my BuJo : that's precisely what I was actually looking for. Thanks, a lot !
I've used both notion and todoist for a while. I'm thinking about using todoist for my quick capture system, which can then be sorted in notion. Any thoughts?
Simple and brilliant, as usual. Just curious for me, project and area are mixing up sometime, any advice.
As he said, if there is no clear objective ( S.M.A.R.T) and deadline but it is important in your life, it's an area
Outstanding video - but I nearly missed it! IMO should be called something like, "Guide To Obtaining High Value From Note Taking". The title implies that if you've been using a note taking app for some time, then the video's not for you.
I also follow Anne-Laure!!! Love her mails
asking for clarification - would you effectively end up with tasks in two places? in the tasks note and in the projects note?
Having a quick capture list sounds like a great idea in theory, but it's something you have to revisit constantly and sort. If you've set up your other categories correctly, you should be able to just throw that idea into the correct category to begin with, saving on double handling and one less list to review constantly.
Great ideas overall.
I agree. I think that, like the video says at the beggining, the quick capture should be used initially for "training your brain into noticing important things" but in practice you don't want to spend extra time storing a note into the quick capture category, only to move it to its place later
This is why I'm creating Notion databases for links, notes, tasks, etc., and will be creating a "stash" page having a filtered view of each (filtering on not yet filed or assigned a folder), then I'll have a tasks view, etc.
But in this case u forgot an importante thing - the letter D of de CODE system - Distill.
What is the difference between Areas and recourses? It feels the same to me when I started the 30 days note taking. Thanks
I'm going to implement this into my life wish me luck guys 😉
Is the daily note that you see in logseq/obsidian worth using as a built in "quick capture" section?
respect
I am new to GTD concepts and see a lot of apps. My biggest fear and question is WHEN DO PEOPLE DO THE ACTUAL WORK if we start managing our brain and then the second brain all the time?
I have fear of letting go information from my brain and do feel stressed with all the knowledge and information I have to keep in my mind. But as soon as I start looking at these apps, it adds more stress to learn them.
Microsoft Swiftkey virtual keyboard has a integration with Microsoft ToDo so that while I am talking on my phone, chatting or having a meeting, I can add a task directly to my task list. It's very powerful.
I really like this series of video, can't wait to try out the 30-day process!
In the video, you mentioned that we can categorize our sources with value and volume. What is the definition of volume?(e.g The amount of resource? The amount of information?)
🙏
Volume is how many times that input comes to you throughout a day or week - how much new information in that channel do you need to process?
If it's valuable, but coming at you in high volume, the easier you need it to be to capture. If it's low volume but high value, it's ok if you capture it in a slower, more deliberate fashion.
Be realistic about your limitations - not everything can be high value and high volume if you time and resources are limited!
@@TiagoForte I think that, just as some ppl hoard stuff, that some of us - ie me - hoard info. Your notions of volume and value in a very short time have helped me to see my pattern of info hoarding.
Thank You for your question 👍 I had the same question and we got the answer from the author 🙏🏼
I'm curious:
What if our job, in addition to inputs from sources, requires a trigger.
For example, I need to trigger a code review and need to follow and SOP. This SOP should be stored somewhere and be updated.
Where should one park those? Should it be a checklist?
Nice
Great Video,
- As I'm an Architect Mindset person, Notion is perfect for me.
- I've created a Notion page for Personal Task Management, following the guidelines in this video.
I think it will be very helpful. Eagerly waiting for your book on Second Brain.
I hope you will release a video based on Notion also.
how is it going?
@@StefanoMonteduro I’ve creat PARA system in Notion and it’s working perfectly
Can you suggest a note app for someone who has been using Notes on my iPhone and mac for about a year, but is now ready to upgrade to something more robust that offers futures I can sync to the calendar, to-do list etc?
Does it make sense to step into BASB when I cannot make work notes in the app I have chosen for my personal use and work email is one of my most important sources?
At work, I could use a separate, authorized app.
Do you have any videos on notetaking with such a personal-work split?
If a project have a to do, do you store it in the project or in the to do list?
just amazing
🙏
@@TiagoForte I'm currently using the PARA system, and it's just amazing.
It's helping me a lot to structure my life. I can't wait to see more
I decided to use Keep, because h already had some content in there and figured I'd see how it goes. Setting up my notes like you described I accidentally hit the plus sign not knowing it would delete everything about it. So, how does someone who's nervous about losing digital only content for that reason, it could easily be accidentally deleted, accept that possibility and create their long-term system like this?
I'm trying, like a madman, to find a solution for my different roles and situations in life. I use a Windows computer, with mandatory Office 365 stuff, for work, and all Apple gear for my own freelancing and private life. These two "lives" (work and private) intersect all the time and I need to have a system that both can be used on PC and Mac, as well as on iPhone. I'd gladly use the Apple Notes for Quick Capture, but that won't work on my windows machine. I'm putting everything inside of Obsidian in the end, but I'd like to have a way simpler way of putting Quick notes down but to use Obsidian for this. Any good thoughts on this one? Thank you very much for great information and inspiration! Martin, Sweden
How do you maintain the notes over the years? Would I have to make this sections every year or will the notes eventually be filled up with years of information? How do you manage the information build that comes from years of data gathering?
Great series of instructional videos on note taking. First question I have is concerning the quick capture and emails. What process would you recommend on capturing emails into your quick capture note?
Start here: th-cam.com/video/uXdEVeoGRRc/w-d-xo.html
@@TiagoForte The video was very helpful. What are your thoughts on the following items? [1] forwarding emails to your task manager as your single source of input, [2] using Evernote as your task manager, [3] using Evernote as your document file server instead of google drive? I am currently using a PC at work with my iPhone and I use a Mac & iPad at home.
Whatever works for your system, mine isn't the end-all-be-all. Sounds like all of those approaches are good modifications for you!
I am a student so where my lessons go ? Ressources ? and for the notes from a book where I put it ?
Great video! I started moving from Microsoft OneNote to Notion a few weeks ago, and your video helps to add more structure to the new setup.
I am struggling with the concepts of Resources and Archives. What information goes where?
Resources seem to be content that you find useful and can use it in the future if needed.
Archive can be completed projects and tasks. Or areas or resources (eg hobbies or interests) that are not so important to you now.
If you are using something like the Apple Notes app, are you creating Folders with these titles or are you making individual Notes with these titles within a system Folder?
Hi Tiago, I wonder what’s your thoughts on the default reminders app of Apple step 3 seems like something to do there instead of note taking
I’ve switched mostly to Apple Notes with folders to archive my notes and projects. Reminders for everything that needs an action from me. I’m also using drafts for my quick captures, but this can also be done with Apple Notes. I believe that by using what’s readily available inside the ecosystem of Apple, I am wasting less time this way.
Did I miss the Places description? I didn't get it in my notes. Got my docs saved. ✅
What if I arrived at this part 4 and still haven't decided on an Archetype and an App that could suit me? Any advice?
I would argue that Apple Notes should be in the Librarian quadrant. Many have moved here from Evernote because they work pretty much the same. Would you agree?
tak
yall pls help. what's high volume vs low volume for input ?
Why you didn't mention the categories capture/tasks/read & watch later in your book?
Hey, Tiago! What do you think of the idea of combining two note taking apps, each one focused on different purposes?
Say, Apple notes for quick captures & archive, and Notion for managing projects and areas? (I love Notion, but I also believe that it sucks in quick captures, or searches in archives.)
Please, help me 🙏
Relatively new to your community and ideas, so forgive me if you have mentioned this elsewhere. As I listened to this video it occurred to me that Trello would be a great capture tool. Items can easily be moved around, colour coded, tagged, given deadlines etc. the downside is that it’s not ideal for what I imagine would be the second brain you are building - I guess that adds a layer of duplication but I’m wondering if the ease of capture, classifying and sorting makes it a viable tool?
The typical baseline set of apps for a productivity system is not just a notes app - it's an email client, a calendar, a todo list and a notes app. Trello is a fine fit for the todo list slot.
Trello is good for project management too. But for a 2nd brain, you need a fluid notetaking app which includes to-do list features along with sync & compatibility. I've heard that Notion is the best, but it's too complicated for an Evernote user like me. I'm planning to try out One note & Obsidian
Why would Read/Watch Later be separate from Resources or Archives? The only difference is that it's a skeleton of a potential concept or idea to be explored. Keeping it separate serves as unnecessary distraction, or worse, can lead to analysis paralysis as the list grows - what do I see next?
Hi Tiago, great video, started to follow you recently and I am starting io implementing. You just perfectly upgraded GTD method and bring it more closer to modern world. For me PARA is the most revealing thing, because instead of having one overwhelming masterlist and next action list, I can divide it per projects and per areas, and on Next action list to have only actions for following week summarized and prioritized from every other list. Yet, I have one question, I am not sure how to integrate Pinterest and Instagram ideas into this system, they are very visual, I have a hundreds of saved and organized lists and wouldnt like to save them all in note app, still it is not functional and I am getting lost where I saved what idea, inspiration. Most of them would be Resources by actionability. Any tip on this? Thanks in advance :)
Please help i 🙏 i have confusion of Most important input and Quick Captures. Please explain in detail what is the difference between Most important input and Quick Capture