A simple method for mindfully using note-taking and other productivity tools. — How is it that our favorite note-taking applications can perfectly fit the majority of everyday needs, and yet frustratingly leave out that “essential” feature or two? Why is it that with an assortment of otherwise fantastically powerful note-taking software, we might struggle to build a coherent system? Of course we…

Or, how we can learn from these formal methods to improve the organization of our own PIM/PKM systems. — In this article we’ll examine the difference between three general-purpose systems used to organize knowledge: thesauri, taxonomies, and ontologies. Then we’ll consider what we can learn from these generalized systems and apply to our own individual practices of note-taking, information curation, and knowledge management.

Breathing life back into our information management systems. — In Knowledge, Activity, and Content, I presented a way of looking broadly at the different kinds of information we keep or a way to think about the various interrelated systems we use to manage our digital lives. …

Leverage end-to-end encryption and zero-trust software to protect your privacy and security. — Last updated: 3/17/22 Cloud-hosted applications and services advertising easy, reliable end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to everyday users used to be a rarity. A few years ago we might have been forced to make a hard choice between convenience and data privacy, but today there is a growing list of commercial offerings…

Take back control of your productivity journey with this evaluative, three-piece model. — An endless array There is no shortage of special programs, tools, methods, and workflows available on the market to help us manage complexity and achieve our goals across the various aspects of our work and personal lives. At their core, the aim of such systems are always to make us smarter, better, faster…

Or, how to organize anything with the “three axis” metadata method. — List of all articles in this series: Part I starts with the core scenarios and requirements, and introduces the original 9-part model. Plus a quick aside on metadata. Part II demonstrates three kinds of hierarchical taxonomies, and offers the “center of gravity” principle for dealing with information scatter. Part III…

Last updated: Friday, Dec. 3 2021 Taking notes in the form of journaling is analogous to having a conversation with my own mind. The realization struck me as, over time, my usage of Roam Research to document my daily thoughts, ideas, musings, research findings, and insights grew more frequent. …

Last updated: 8/10/21 If there’s one aspect of my personal system that’s gone through more fads and phases than any other area, it would surely be my note-taking methods. …

This is a multi-part series on how to develop a system of organization for better personal productivity and growth. It’s an opinionated approach based on my own experience, so obviously take it with a grain of salt. List of all articles in this series: Part I starts with the core…