The traps that lurks for every Obsidian beginner.
In the quest to create a personal knowledge management system, there is a risk of falling into the trap of perfectionism. In this post, we explore how a YouTube video by a seasoned Obsidian user sheds light on building a second brain or Zettelkasten system. The video emphasizes simplicity, effectiveness, and avoiding unnecessary complications. Let’s dive into the core content and methods discussed, and why this approach might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Introduction to the Zettelkasten System
A year ago, the video creator started using the Zettelkasten method to build a personal knowledge network, also known as a “second brain.” After trying various approaches to learning and note-taking, the Zettelkasten system emerged as the most valuable tool for reading, writing, and even thinking. Using Obsidian, a powerful note-taking app, the system helped consolidate information from books, articles, podcasts, and other sources into a cohesive, interconnected knowledge network.
Avoiding Toxic Perfectionism
One of the major pitfalls the speaker faced early on was falling into the trap of toxic perfectionism. After watching countless videos, each offering slightly different methods, they ended up with a convoluted and over-complicated system—a Frankenstein’s monster of note-taking setups. This perfectionism led to months of frustration with little actual writing. The lesson learned? Simplicity is key. The perfect system doesn’t exist, and attempting to optimize every feature distracts from the core purpose: writing and learning.
Instead of being bogged down by unnecessary features and plugins, they eventually stripped away the complexity and focused on the bare bones of the system. This simple approach allowed the creator to actually do the work they set out to do—write.
Key Benefits of the Zettelkasten System
The Value of Being Slow
One of the standout advantages of the Zettelkasten method is how it forces you to slow down and dwell on ideas. Unlike speed reading or rushing through information, this system emphasizes thorough, reflective note-taking, which enhances comprehension and retention. The speaker compares it to digestion—you need to let ideas “sit” to absorb their full value.
Instant Feedback
Another powerful aspect of this system is that it offers instant feedback on your learning. By struggling to put an idea into words, you immediately know where your understanding falls short, prompting you to revisit and deepen your comprehension. This process aligns with the Feynman technique, which suggests that teaching a concept improves your understanding of it.
Perfect Idea Storage
In the Zettelkasten method, all notes are interconnected, stored in one place, and free from the restrictions of rigid folder structures. This allows for a cross-pollination of ideas. For example, insights from fields as diverse as biology, physics, and philosophy can mingle, leading to unexpected connections and deeper understanding.
The Power to Remix Ideas
The more notes you take, the stronger the network becomes. By allowing notes to link freely and without rigid categorization, new ideas and patterns emerge naturally over time. This flexibility enables a user to draw upon their entire knowledge base when writing or brainstorming.
Setting Up Obsidian
Folder Setup
The speaker recommends setting up six folders in Obsidian:
- Rough Notes - A temporary space for ideas, reminders, and notes you jot down quickly.
- Source Material - For storing insights from books, articles, videos, podcasts, etc.
- Tags - Organize topics with links that act as tags.
- Indexes - Serve as the table of contents for your note system once it grows large enough.
- Templates - Store note templates for consistent note-taking.
- Main Notes - This is where all main notes go, free of subfolders to allow for flexibility and connections.
Tagging and Linking
The video introduces a unique approach to tagging by using empty notes as tags. For example, if you’re writing about “humility,” you create a note for “humility” and link it to other relevant notes. This allows tags to act as anchors, organizing notes in a flexible way.
The speaker advises against over-tagging or using vague tags like “self-improvement.” Tags should be specific enough to be useful and cater to your personal interests, not just general categories.
Note-Taking in Practice
The process of note-taking in the Zettelkasten system involves creating source material notes, writing summaries in your own words, and then turning those summaries into main notes that stand on their own. Each main note should focus on a single idea, and links between notes allow you to rediscover connections over time.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of keeping notes concise (below 500 words) and formatting them in a way that is easy to read later on.
Final Thoughts
The video serves as an excellent guide for anyone looking to build a personal knowledge management system with Obsidian. The methods presented are focused, effective, and avoid unnecessary complexity, making it easier to get started without being overwhelmed. By following this approach, you can build a flexible system that grows with your knowledge over time.
If you’re interested in creating your own second brain and want to make the most out of your reading and learning, I highly recommend watching the video for more insights and a detailed walkthrough.