Idea Storage

Every piece of information, whether from a blog, video, book, or article, holds potential value. Anything that piques your interest, even slightly, deserves to be recorded in your second brain, specifically within your Idea Storage. You might wonder what an Idea Storage looks like.

It can take a traditional form, like a binder filled with paper, or you can opt for a digital solution. Having a laptop with thousands of digital notes is far more practical than managing stacks of binders filled with paper.

To store information on your computer effectively, creating random text files on your desktop is not ideal. Instead, consider using specialized applications designed for this purpose, such as Evernote.

#### Evernote

Symbolized by an elephant known for its long memory, Evernote serves as an excellent Idea Storage tool. At its core, it allows users to create various types of notes—text, images, PDFs, and Office documents—organized into notebooks with keyword tags for easy retrieval. Evernote's hierarchical system makes it simple to categorize information.

In addition to the note types mentioned, Evernote can record audio files and create basic to-do lists, though the latter lacks features like deadlines or task management. Its search functionality enables users to find text within photos, PDFs, and even handwritten notes. You can create ink notes directly in Evernote, combining sketches and handwritten notes with screenshots.

Evernote also provides a Web Clipper browser extension that allows users to save online content directly as notes, which can be tagged for organization. All your notes sync across devices via your Evernote account, regardless of the operating system. A notable feature is the collaboration option, enabling users to share notes with others.

However, Evernote has some limitations, particularly in project management, as it does not allow for task assignments or deadline setting. The free version is restricted to syncing on only two devices and has a monthly upload limit of 60 MB. To access the full range of features, a subscription is required, costing $34.99/month or $69.99/month.

Another robust option for Idea Storage is Notion.

#### Notion

Notion is available on all major platforms and serves as a versatile note-taking tool that transcends basic functionality. While it has a steep learning curve, mastering its features opens up numerous possibilities for quick notes, project management, and structured outlines. I used it to organize my master's thesis.

In Notion, you can create subpages within existing pages, allowing for detailed organization of large topics or projects. This nesting capability is beneficial for breaking down complex subjects, as advocated by Tiago Forte in his seminars. Notion also recently introduced backlink functionality, which links terms within a note for easy reference, similar to hyperlinks on Wikipedia.

All these features are available in Notion's free version. Personally, I use Notion for information gathering and project planning, as well as drafting my blog posts before publishing them on Medium.

Having established our Idea Storage, we must now process the information we’ve saved; otherwise, it remains ineffective. This brings us to the Idea Factory.

Idea Factory

The Idea Factory is where we turn our stored notes and information into actionable insights. This process involves breaking down concepts into smaller, digestible ideas. Tiago Forte refers to this as progressive summarization, which occurs in multiple layers.

Layer 0 is the original source material. In Layer 1, we take notes on everything of interest without specific criteria. Layer 2 involves summarizing the information noted in Layer 1. In Layer 3, we highlight crucial passages, leading to Layer 4, where we summarize our notes in our own words. Finally, Layer 5 combines our notes with original ideas to create evergreen notes—fundamental structures of concepts that can be organized using tags and backlinks, similar to the Zettelkasten method employed by sociologist Niklas Luhmann.

A fantastic tool for this is Obsidian.

#### Obsidian

Obsidian's primary strength lies in its backlinking and visualization capabilities, which create a network of interconnected ideas. This feature was a significant reason for my choice to use Obsidian, alongside its cost-free nature. Although it does not offer synchronization, you can use cloud storage solutions to keep your notes accessible across devices.

Obsidian utilizes markdown formatting, allowing for easy text styling. The advantage of markdown files is their compatibility with any program that supports plain text, ensuring your notes remain accessible even if Obsidian were to cease operations.

A limitation of Obsidian is the absence of mobile versions, but the visualization of backlinks is its standout feature, allowing users to see the connections between notes. This creates an intuitive second digital brain where ideas can be mixed and transformed into new content.

Another useful aspect, particularly for students, is the ability to record audio notes directly, which are then linked within your notes.

Obsidian is an excellent choice for an Idea Factory, where I create concise notes that form the backbone of my blogs and other content. However, it’s not the only tool available; Roam Research is another noteworthy option.

#### Roam Research

While I haven't utilized Roam for my daily tasks, its unique strengths are worth mentioning. Users are drawn to Roam for its fluid structure, where notes are interconnected through relationships rather than a rigid hierarchy. This makes it easy to create a second brain and Idea Factory.

Capturing ideas in Roam is seamless; upon opening it daily, users are greeted with a fresh note. You can import highlights from articles or books, albeit with some workarounds. Notes can be enhanced with tags, backlinks, and metadata to provide context and source information.

To connect notes, I typically start with a metadata block that includes tags, backlinks, and source details. Below this, I engage in note-taking, applying Tiago’s progressive summarization method.

However, Roam does require a subscription model, costing $15/month or $165/year, with discounts for eligible students.

Idea Sources

To generate ideas, we need input. Whether it's from the Internet, physical books, scientific articles, or other mediums, we require an environment for our second brain to thrive. Idea Sources provide the creative fuel for our Idea Storage.

If you've encountered an intriguing YouTube video explaining a complex concept, save it. A blog post discussing a relevant topic? Add it to your storage. Even if you’re not immediately interested in a piece of information, capturing it can prove beneficial later.

These sources serve as gateways to fresh perspectives. Utilize anything that captures your attention; you never know when it may become useful. Remember, though, that a note is only as valuable as the action taken upon it—don’t let it languish in obscurity!