Summary

The author has developed a hybrid note-taking system that combines the Zettelkasten method with a practical approach to organizing notes, which has become the foundation for creating online content and a profitable business.

Abstract

The author shares their journey from taking notes that were rarely revisited to developing a sophisticated note-taking system that underpins their successful content creation business. Initially using apps like Evernote, the author transitioned to the Zettelkasten method, which emphasizes linking notes rather than using tags or folders. This method mirrors the associative nature of human thought and avoids the limitations of traditional classification systems. Recognizing the complexity and inadequacies of the traditional Zettelkasten, the author simplified the system to better suit their needs. The result is a hybrid approach that distinguishes between 'dumb' notes (temporary, retrieval-only, or ideas needing further development) and 'smart' notes (ideas intended for future use), stored in a permanent knowledge base. This system facilitates efficient information retrieval, fosters learning and creativity, and integrates the strengths of various note-taking applications, ultimately streamlining the process of creating content such as articles, emails, and online courses.

Opinions

The author believes that traditional note-taking methods, such as using Evernote with tags and folders, are inefficient and do not reflect the natural linking of ideas in the human brain.
They argue that the Zettelkasten method, with its emphasis on linking notes, is superior to conventional note-taking because it allows for the organic growth of knowledge and easy retrieval of information.
The author criticizes the traditional Zettelkasten system for its complexity and impracticality for everyday use, leading them to create a simplified, hybrid version.
They assert that classifying notes into 'dumb' and 'smart' categories helps in managing the versatility of captured information and enhances the creation of various types of content.
The author posits that a hybrid note-taking system offers the best features of different note-taking apps, combining efficient capture with robust linking capabilities.
They claim that this system has been transformative for both themselves and their students, as it eliminates the need for extensive categorization and relies on the power of linking to resurface relevant information when needed.

I Finally Found a Way to Organize, Retrieve, and Turn My Notes Into Online Content (That Makes $)

An essential skill if you want to share your knowledge with a broader audience online

Most people take notes without ever revisiting them again.

I was one of them for over a decade.

Taking notes without revisiting gives a false sense of learning and making progress. It also doesn’t help you share what you learned with others.

The only thing it really does is clog your note-taking app with notes that are unusable, unorganized, and unable to be retrieved.

Today, things have changed.

My notes are the epicenter of my thriving business as a creator. Instead of just saving, it empowers creating.

Let’s see how I did it (so that you can do the same).

The system that was supposed to revolutionize everything

For years, I used apps like Evernote to take notes.

Back in 2020, I stumbled across the Zettelkasten methodology. Zettelkasten is German and literally means “slip box.”

It’s a note-taking system that relies on creating small and singular notes and linking them together.

It doesn’t rely on tags or folders. Instead, it encourages linking information together.

Why’s this a big deal? For several reasons.

The myth of closed boxes

Everybody is talking about building second brains.

The problem is that their second brain isn’t organized the way their first brain is.

Let me explain: Our brain does not put information into closed boxes. Instead, it links information and associates ideas together.

Using links mimics the natural way of thinking. Want to take notes like you think? Use links.

But there’s another reason why links are superior to any other classification method.

Stop getting punished for learning

Learning is growing.

The problem is that conventional note-taking bashes you for learning more.

Here’s what I mean: Let’s assume that most of your notes are related to mental health.

You diligently sort your notes and put all the ideas where they belong.

Cool.

But what if, suddenly, you become interested in machine learning?

You follow your curiosity. Go down rabbit holes in learning everything you can to understand this subject better…

Wouldn’t it be nice to save your progress in your notes, too? You bet it would.

This is when tags and folders suck.

They force you to create a new category like “machine learning.”

Repeat that process over several topics, and you’ll find yourself drowning in too many categories to manage.

Instead, links are damn easy. You take a note. You link to another note that reminds you of it.

That’s it.

Now you might worry that you can’t retrieve your other notes? Wrong.

By using note-taking tools that have been built from the ground up using backlinks, you’ll always be able to see the connections within your notes with tools like the graph view.

Which means that your notes always stay organized without you having to lift a finger.

Using tags and folders is mentally taxing. It takes too much mental bandwidth for nothing.

Ditch classification and rely on links.

But the standalone Zettelkasten was a failure…

The Zettelkasten didn’t solve all the problems.

For a few reasons.

First, the legacy version everyone preaches is damn complicated and never made sense to me, like:

Unique identifiers
Keywords
…

So I started to simplify the system, keep what made sense, and throw away what didn’t.

But that wasn’t the only problem.

The second problem I encountered is that using the Zettelkasten alone wasn’t taking into consideration the versatility of the information I’m capturing on a day-to-day basis.

Because, let’s face it: life is damn busy.

You have to retrieve your car VIN, your SSN, and be sure to pick up toilet paper from the grocery store.

What’s the solution?

Introducing: A new hybrid solution

I was exhausted and frustrated.

So I rolled up my sleeves and started thinking about how I could create a note-taking system that works for me.

On one side, it should:

empower learning,
thinking,
and spark creative insights.

On the other, I should still be able to capture relevant information quickly and retrieve anything I need quickly to create content.

May it be:

Emails
Articles (like this one)
And even online courses

So I started to classify my notes into two piles: dumb and smart.

Dumb notes are notes that are either:

1- Temporary (i.e., I plan to discard later on, like using a note like a scratchpad)

2- Information that is ONLY meant to be retrieved (like your car’s VIN, tax information, medical visits, etc.)

3- Or notes that need more thought before turning them into something real. (As an example, a new content or product idea starts with a dumb note.)

On the flip side, my smart notes are notes with interesting ideas that I intend to reuse later down the road.

And I save those notes in what I call a permanent knowledge base.

It works on my simplified (and altered) version of the Zettelkasten.

How to break free from note clutter

I’ve been using this system for 3 years now.

And it has been a game-changer.

Not only for me but also for my students.

The reason is that this system helps you know exactly where and how to find information.

I’m also able to take full advantage of the advantages that different note-taking apps offer.

Because, let’s face it: some apps are great for capture but suck at linking. On the flip side, many linking apps suck at capturing.

A hybrid system is like getting the best of both note-taking app worlds.

Not only that: My notes aren’t clogged anymore. Instead, I see them grow every day without overwhelm. I know that linking information will automatically resurface the information when I need it.

I don’t have to rack my brain to come up with categories and folders. Whenever I have an idea, I simply jot it down, link it, and then let the linking feature do its magic.

Putting it all together

I never start content from scratch.

May it be an article like this one, an email, or even an online course. Every piece of information that I find valuable has a place in my hybrid note-taking system.

And as a knowledge worker, information is your most important asset.

Instead of starting with a Google search or spending hours retrieving your book highlights or personal experiences, what if you had everything at your fingertips just a few seconds away?

That’s the power of building a hybrid note-taking system.

Want more help to set up such a system for yourself? Get my free note-taking course here.