The 5-Minute Guide to Building a Second Brain

Building a "second brain" involves capturing, organizing, and reflecting on the information and ideas that come your way. This concept, inspired by productivity systems like David Allen’s GTD (Getting Things Done), helps you manage your thoughts and tasks more effectively.

Here's a brief overview of how to create and maintain a second brain using digital tools like Notion and Obsidian:

1. Capture

Start by collecting all the information, tasks, and ideas that come your way. Use tools such as:

• Notion / apple notes / obsidian / evernote for tasks, notes, and web clips
• things3 / todoist / ticktick for tasks (task specific apps)
• Notion Calendar / Google Calender / Fantastical for events
• Google Drive / Dropbox / Finder for storing files
• A physical desk tray or folder and binders for paper documents

2. Clarify

Process each item to decide what action is needed:

• Is it actionable?
• Can it be completed in under two minutes?

If it can be done quickly, tackle it immediately. If not, organize it into actionable lists or reference materials.

3. Organize

Place items into appropriate lists based on their nature:

• Next Actions: Immediate tasks