#27 - How to take Smart Notes to Build your Second Brain

#27 - How to take Smart Notes to Build your Second Brain

Author: Second Brains and Soft Skills for Staff Engineers. Augment, Stay Human. March 28, 2024 Duration: 12:10

If there’s one super power I’ve developed over the past year, it’s taking notes in a way that gets exponentially more powerful over time.

I’ve combined Zettelkasten, How to Take Smart Notes, Second Brain, and Getting Things Done into a method that works for me.

In this episode you’ll learn:

* The Zettelkasten Method popularized by How to Take Smart Notes

* The Second Brain method

* How to combine these two systems with the best features of each

* Some guiding principles to make your note system work for you and focus on learning, being productive, and helping you

My Method

* Inbox

* Captured notes go here to be processed

* Permanent Notes

* Atomic ideas in a single note

* Reference Notes

* Notes in my own words from things I consume, organized by medium

* Projects

* MOCs for projects I am working on.

* MOCs are an index into a project

* Next Actions list - a few tasks that are next or in progress

* Later list - any task or idea I want to do (should do / maybe do list)

* Journal

* Brain dumps organized by date, reviewed for tasks or ideas that get processed

Resources

* How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens

* Getting Started with Zettelkasten

* Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte

* PARA Method

* Getting Things Done by David Allen



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bitsofchris.com

In a world racing to automate everything, Bits of Chris: Augment, Stay Human offers a different, more human-centered conversation. This isn't about fearing technology but about thoughtfully integrating it to enhance our own capabilities and judgment. The core idea is Open Augmented Intelligence-a vision where tools amplify human potential without locking us into opaque, closed systems. Each episode explores practical strategies for building your "second brain" and honing the soft skills crucial for leadership, particularly for staff engineers and those navigating complex technical careers. You'll hear discussions on selecting tools, managing knowledge, and making strategic decisions that align with a future where individuals control their own data and intellectual processes. Weaving together themes from technology, business, and investing, the podcast provides a grounded perspective on staying relevant and effective. It’s for anyone who believes the best future is one where we use AI to augment our humanity, not replace it, fostering transparency and personal agency in an increasingly automated landscape. Tune in for a nuanced take on building a career and a mindset that remains resilient and distinctly human.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 47

Bits of Chris: Augment, Stay Human
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