Everything I do is built off the back of my note-taking system.
To be a better creator of any medium, note-taking will be your accelerator.
- A Thread of 10 Lessons to make you a better note-taker-
To be a better creator of any medium, note-taking will be your accelerator.
- A Thread of 10 Lessons to make you a better note-taker-
1. Reduce, friction!
Like your physical environment, make your digital processes smooth.
Install Instapaper, Pocket or the browser plug-in of your note-taking app of choice.
Whenever you see something interesting, save it without second thought.
Like your physical environment, make your digital processes smooth.
Install Instapaper, Pocket or the browser plug-in of your note-taking app of choice.
Whenever you see something interesting, save it without second thought.
2. Highlights + Active Reading
In your read-it-later app of choice (Instapaper recommended), now go through the saved articles and decide which are high priority.
Delete the others to keep a clean inbox.
Make highlights w/ Instapaper while commenting your thoughts
In your read-it-later app of choice (Instapaper recommended), now go through the saved articles and decide which are high priority.
Delete the others to keep a clean inbox.
Make highlights w/ Instapaper while commenting your thoughts
3. Readwise
This is the superpower behind the thread.
Readwise collects my highlights from:
- Instapaper (All blogs and articles)
- Medium
- Kindle (All Books)
- Airr (All Podcast Transcript highlights)
and syncs it to Roamresearch w/ automatic tags.
This is the superpower behind the thread.
Readwise collects my highlights from:
- Instapaper (All blogs and articles)
- Medium
- Kindle (All Books)
- Airr (All Podcast Transcript highlights)
and syncs it to Roamresearch w/ automatic tags.
4. Summarization
All items coming through Readwise are tagged with "Inbox"
Twice a week, I go through, add more detailed tags, add relevant bidirectional links, and most importantly, add my own thoughts to each point.
These actions allow for info to be resurfaced.
All items coming through Readwise are tagged with "Inbox"
Twice a week, I go through, add more detailed tags, add relevant bidirectional links, and most importantly, add my own thoughts to each point.
These actions allow for info to be resurfaced.
5. CRM
Notes from each article/podcast will be associated with an author.
When I want to bring them on as a guest, I go to Roam and find all their information in the linked references.
The work is already 50% done for me.
Again, friction reduced.
Here's @nateliason
Notes from each article/podcast will be associated with an author.
When I want to bring them on as a guest, I go to Roam and find all their information in the linked references.
The work is already 50% done for me.
Again, friction reduced.
Here's @nateliason
6. Evergreen Notes
An episode with @juvoni resurfaced this idea for me.
Take notes based on questions people ask or topics people commonly talk about.
Build common segments that are relevant to your interest.
These ideas will be relevant for years.
Lindy-esque
An episode with @juvoni resurfaced this idea for me.
Take notes based on questions people ask or topics people commonly talk about.
Build common segments that are relevant to your interest.
These ideas will be relevant for years.
Lindy-esque
7. Idea Sex
The ultimate goal of your notes is for them to improve your thinking.
That happens best when they are connecting with one another.
Find ways that resurface similar ideas, remix them and form new ones
The ultimate goal of your notes is for them to improve your thinking.
That happens best when they are connecting with one another.
Find ways that resurface similar ideas, remix them and form new ones
8. Don't make the process hard
You want to make sure note-taking works for you.
If it's unenjoyable, look for the points where there is a pain point. Each person has different styles, try handwriting notes or not worrying about tags.
Make sure it's something you return to.
You want to make sure note-taking works for you.
If it's unenjoyable, look for the points where there is a pain point. Each person has different styles, try handwriting notes or not worrying about tags.
Make sure it's something you return to.
9. Publishing Mindset
Publishing gives you a reason to check your notes.
This takes the form of my weekly newsletter: brandonzhang.com/newsletter
It forces you to engage with what you have read and improve your system.
What made it easier to write? Optimize constantly.
Publishing gives you a reason to check your notes.
This takes the form of my weekly newsletter: brandonzhang.com/newsletter
It forces you to engage with what you have read and improve your system.
What made it easier to write? Optimize constantly.
10. Prune your notes
Don't hoard notes.
Your note-taking system is an extension of your mind.
You never want your mind to be cluttered. Do not clutter your notes as well.
Don't hoard notes.
Your note-taking system is an extension of your mind.
You never want your mind to be cluttered. Do not clutter your notes as well.
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