Everyday productivity
Build a second brain for your notes
You will have a note structure, a capture habit, a weekly review and a safe way to ask an assistant about your notes.
Before you start
- A notes app you will keep using
- Thirty minutes to set up and fifteen a week
What it is
A second brain is a trusted place where you put what you want to remember, so your head is free for thinking. The tool matters less than the habit.
Step 1: Four folders
- Projects: things with a finish line.
- Areas: ongoing responsibilities such as health or home.
- Resources: topics you are interested in.
- Archive: anything finished.
Step 2: Capture quickly
Put everything into an Inbox note first. Do not sort while capturing.
Step 3: Sort weekly
- Open the Inbox once a week.
- Move each note to a folder or delete it.
- Write one line on why you kept it.
Step 4: Ask an assistant about your notes
Copy only the notes you want help with into a chat. Avoid private, financial or client material.
Prompt you can copy
Here are my notes on [topic]. Summarise the main points, list open questions and suggest three next actions. Use only my notes. [paste notes]
Keep it safe
- Back up your notes.
- Do not put passwords in them.
- Check how your notes app stores and syncs data.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sorting while capturing
- Building a complex system before using it
- Putting private data into a chat
- Never reviewing
Final checklist
- I made four folders
- I have an Inbox
- I review weekly
- I back up my notes