How I use Obsidian as a Second Brain

[@michaeltaylor7162]

Most productive 30 minutes I have had in weeks.

[@RedaLazri]

This has to be the most important video I have come across this year. Thank you!

[@salahbenali4812]

Thank you very much sir, I just started using obsidian and I found it very overwhelming at first trying the IMF workflow, but this was very well presented and informative, I now see that PARA is better for me.

[@BeaconOfSound]

I don't understand why you've turned off closed captions. Not even automatic captions are available. Your video is not accessible to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have any other kind of sensory disability related to hearing, such as myself. Please allow auto-captions to be turned on. Thank you!

[@palabreronueve6257]

(sorry for my english) wow, I like this, I'm gonna make my brain model with all my favorite books about neurology with David eagelman, john medina, lisa feldman... and other good books like power of habits, think slow, think fast, influence, and others, I'm happy to know that there are more people with this project, nice.

[@SystematicMastery]

🙌

[@GyDz0n]

Thanks for a pure explanation buddy

[@lgdneuro9586]

Instant subscription, really looking foward to build a Second brain with obsidian.

[@SystematicMastery]

Thanks Luigi! Anything in particular you want us to dive into? We're going to create more walkthroughs on specific Obsidian tricks.

[@lgdneuro9586]

@@SystematicMastery Well, just started with Obsidian, so at the moment dont have too much to ask, I will try to have patience and build it slowly. And for sure will be waiting for your Obsidian tips. Thank you.

[@SystematicMastery]

@@lgdneuro9586 Alright! We hope you'll enjoy creating your personal setup! If you have any questions, just comment back and we'll take a look. We'll do a walkthrough of template tricks and a few Obsidian plugins in our next walkthrough.

[@ethanp600]

Well spoken, well presented and brilliant ideas, thanks for sharing I will definitely recommended this video whenever I introduce the second brain concept to people.

[@SystematicMastery]

Thanks for the kind words Ethan! Really great to hear it was valuable for you 🙏

[@torspedia]

Ta for the video. I really need to start using Obsidian more.

[@Utkarsh2811]

Fantastic walkthrough! Thank you for explaining all the sub-sections in such detail.

[@SystematicMastery]

Thanks Utkarsh! Cool to hear it was useful.

[@plutobear9318]

holy shit im glad i stumbled upon this... rip my life here comes 2nd brain

[@Sanhueza2013]

Wow i can't believe this exists! i've been having trouble with notes all along but i've always wanted something like this without knowing that i wanted it... thank you a lot, very nice explained

[@SystematicMastery]

Thanks! Happy to hear it's useful for you!

[@jonathanlamb8789]

Great video, thanks for sharing this from a developer's perspective as well.

[@SystematicMastery]

Thanks!

[@Joseggonzalezd]

Thank you for share this value video!!

[@tslomt]

Holy shit. Looking forward to implement this! This also goes very well together with GTD!! Holy crap. This is mindblowing!

[@SystematicMastery]

That's awesome to hear! Let us know if you have any questions or things you run into during your implementation!

[@colebrookslyon]

Pretty cool to see my boys blowing up 1550 subs

[@carlstedty]

Incredible video. Well done.

[@Mach7RadioIntercepts]

You put up great content, man. I've been getting more and more into mindfulness and self-mastery. Found this and subscribed without delay :-)

[@SystematicMastery]

Thanks! Hope you'll enjoy our future content. :)

[@efrenbl93]

Thank you, this is awesome!

[@kasperkorea]

What do you actually use the archive folder for? Building a second-brain, to my understanding is building an archive of on-going and past information that ties together in real-time. Great video. I really enjoyed watching it. Interesting concept merging Zettelkasten with PARA. I am also migrating from Notion to Obsidian. I was thinking to maybe add an additional layer of an organization by adopting Johnny.Decimal to the Para structure. That should help greatly for quick searches.

[@ElymarApao]

Nice setup. I use Roam for BASB. We have similar systems but I like your concept of run books or scripts. I do daily reflections with random prompts. Also do interstitial journaling. Keep sharing!

[@SystematicMastery]

Thanks Elymar! Very interesting! I'm going to give Interstitial journaling a try, together with www.stayinsession.com which I've started testing 2 months ago.

[@ElymarApao]

@@SystematicMastery Sounds great. I'll read more about this as well.

[@kevinmongiello1991]

I don't ever subscribe to anything but this was a fantastic video. Subscribed. Keep it up 👍🏼

[@SystematicMastery]

Awesome, thank you!

[@frankthissen3338]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@Martin_Adams]

Thanks for the great video! I'd love to know more about the reflections templates, do you have any advice where to learn more about that? Thanks!

[@SystematicMastery]

Hey Martin! Thanks for the kind words. I don't have a direct resource. But could make a follow-up video on reflections. What are you looking to learn?

[@Martin_Adams]

@@SystematicMastery Thanks! I think it's just discovering what I don't know yet. I love the idea of building out the right templates around journaling, reflections, zettelkasten, content creation, etc. Really just increasing my awareness and seeing what I can bring into my personal systems.

[@kanadanka]

Thanks so much for this video! I'm just switching from Notion to Obsidian and this is very helpful. Beginner question: around 19:10, what is the the shortcut used to get to that template list? I imagine it's not cmd + O? Thanks!

[@cavallopazzo340]

Thanks a lot. Is there also a way to recreate "wiki boards" (not sure how to call them) similar to what you can do in Notion? I mean having an overview with different columns, like health, spirituality, relationships, business etc and subtopics underneath each of those pillars that then lead to an overview of all notes in that particular subtopic.

[@giarivers1917]

Having tried to implement zettlekasten systems and para methods separately in the past, combining them seems like a great idea

[@SystematicMastery]

Absolutely, Gia! We've found that having a simple system at the basis (PARA) helps to reorganize things within it as you see fit (Zettelkasten/Wiki/Runbooks), over the course of years or months. If you'd like us to zoom in on anything specifically, let us know.

[@guyhannan4401]

Would love some on your templates for reflections etc

[@Flutter_matter]

I've just a question. I'm not understand the difference between wiki and zettelkasten (in term of logic goal). Notes are a way to remember stuff. As a software engineer my notes are tipically technical stuff, but i like to make it not too long and with tons of connections. Each note most of the time is stuff that exists (like you mention for the wiki) but in a personal way(like Zettelkasten). These notes are wiki or Zettelkasten? I see an intersection in these 2 sets. What's the point to have 2 folders? Thanks. Great Video by the way.

[@pranamjshetty9658]

Oh, I see longevity. Even I'm also impressed with longevity.

[@SystematicMastery]

Cool!

[@RicheloK]

Fantastic video. Thank you very much! Would you be so kind as to share your non-sensitive templates?

[@SystematicMastery]

Hi Richelo! Hope it's been useful. Better late than never: we've started publishing templates and more explanation about Second Brain usage, using Obsidian! You can find that here: obsidian.systematicmastery.com/

[@dexterflodstrom9975]

Really good video!

[@jacqw1515]

hello. I had the question: how on earth do I ask/hire a workflow mechanic that I would look over their shadow at their being the performing of hire..helping me? because I don't yet have a workflow mechanic to help me even start..to build a 2nd brain positioning me to have that workflow mechanic to co-build with me the 2nd brain: to presense, expedites of tasks to my beholden (yet to implement & I know that I need to: via developer invent/executive~virtual assistant have/happenstance that person(s) to provoke establish and implement points of/from which the convert of do so (is of having sales) 'make sense? thank you that you answer this message

[@sergiopx]

Thanks for this information. I didn’t know what second brain is, even if I “use” it all the time, now I have a better idea how to organize it. I use also Trello as “second brain”, but this only for task in projects. Would you give your opinion? What do you think of Trello as complement of obsidian?

[@SystematicMastery]

Happy you like it, SP! Like you say, we already have second brains at our fingertips, it's mostly a specific way of using our devices that is the trick. Personally I like tools that offer kanban boards very much, and would say Trello is a decent option for task management and would definitely complement Obsidian. It's very similar to what I do myself. You could use Trello for your daily tasks and as an 'inbox' on the go, and process tasks/ideas from Trello into Obsidian once every few days or weeks depending on how much you put into Trello.

[@Diogenesthegreat01]

Please can you share the template, its great

[@sourabhuwusingh]

Great video. I respect your privacy but can you tell about the format that you use In those meetings and just a typecast of all the other things you are not willing to share? It would help a lot.

[@SystematicMastery]

Thanks Sourabh! I'm going to create a walkthrough on the formats and templates I use soon so stay tuned! What problem are you trying to solve in particular? - Zowie

[@sourabhuwusingh]

@@SystematicMastery Just the meeting templates and some templates in general that you think that are good as it gives a starting point to build upon

[@SystematicMastery]

Hi Sourabh! I cover my minimalist meeting template in this second Obsidian walkthrough on note taking and 'templated thinking'. Hope it's useful! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmS0o5Koe8uDmZo

[@sourabhuwusingh]

@@SystematicMastery Thank you very much ! I appreciate that you care of the feedback and you made a video on just that. Earned a sub !

[@SystematicMastery]

@@sourabhuwusingh Happy to hear that! Thanks the support.

[@sagikazarmark]

This is a great video, thanks! I have a question about archiving: do you ever archive your notes (eg. meeting notes, daily notes, etc)? For example, if you have meeting notes for half a year, do you move them to archive? How about past projects? Do you archive them? If so, do you replicate the same structure (projects, areas, resources) in your archive?

[@SystematicMastery]

Hey Márk Sági-Kazár! Great question. I do exactly what you're asking! When a meeting note or project is very old, and it doesn't serve a purpose anymore, I move it to my archive. However, in practice I mostly move projects (since I look at them often). Other notes less often. Because of the more organic nature of a second brain, I don't find myself looking for notes through the sidebar a lot, meaning I don't get triggered to move things to the Archive either. And yes, I replicate Areas, Projects and Resources in the Archive in the same structure!

[@sagikazarmark]

@@SystematicMastery Thanks for the detailed answer! I'm a visual person meaning I remember where (as in the sidebar/explorer) to look for things, so I try to keep things clean. I'm trying to use search more (and when I remember to use it, it works great), but old habits die hard.

[@Mrhugoos]

nice Job bro this my final project can I get your help , I'll be so happy

[@SystematicMastery]

Check out our new Obsidian 2021 walkthrough on using templates (and more) here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmS0o5Koe8uDmZo

[@frankthissen3338]

How did you add the icons to the folders?

[@SystematicMastery]

Hi Frank, on Mac OSX you can use Cmd-Ctrl-Space to insert an Emoji.

[@dkoprowski]

Hi, Q1: how do you savely sync those notes? Some encrypted container on gdrive/Dropbox? I'm always afraid that the encrypted container get broken by the cloud syncing. Q2: do you have access to those notes from a mobile device? How to do it?

[@SystematicMastery]

Hey Daniel! Great questions; 1: Depends on your devices! You can use a peer-to-peer syncing solution like www.resilio.com/individuals/ but for user-friendly syncing, iCloud or Google Drive is the easiest. Encrypted files should not be changed, wherever you sync them to. In general though, I'd recommend against storing extremely sensitive information in your second brain (apps like 1Password are good for that). 2: I use iA Writer (ia.net/writer) on my iPhone. It's good enough, and the best for me. I tried 1Writer as well, but it's more clunky in its usage overall. Obsidian is working hard (and fast) on mobile app though, so just a few weeks more and you can use that! Their roadmap is here: trello.com/b/Psqfqp7I/obsidian-roadmap

[@SystematicMastery]

Hey Daniel! Great questions; 1: Depends on your devices! You can use a peer-to-peer syncing solution like www.resilio.com/individuals/ but for user-friendly syncing, iCloud or Google Drive is the easiest. Encrypted files should not be changed, wherever you sync them to. In general though, I'd recommend against storing extremely sensitive information in your second brain (apps like 1Password are good for that). 2: I use iA Writer (ia.net/writer) on my iPhone. It's good enough, and the best for me. I tried 1Writer as well, but it's more clunky in its usage overall. Obsidian is working hard (and fast) on mobile app though, so just a few weeks more and you can use that! Their roadmap is here: trello.com/b/Psqfqp7I/obsidian-roadmap

[@dkoprowski]

@@SystematicMastery Thanks for the answer. I'm currently implementing the PARA method & second brain. You were the inspiration for it 😃

[@SystematicMastery]

@@dkoprowski That's awesome to hear! If you have any questions or things you run into, feel free to share them.

[@RJYoungling]

Dutchie!

[@SystematicMastery]

Busted!

[@the.kani.show_]

How do you get the emoji as your naming the note?

[@SystematicMastery]

Using support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/mac-help/mchlp1560/mac you can add emoji's almost anywhere!

[@tondrg]

Булшит, практически ничего про систему ссылок между статьями, пара слов про зеттель, больше похоже на список рецептов моей бабушки - там и то лучше картотека была. «Я вам не покажу папку с проектами, потому что там сенситив информайшн» - если такой неженка, зачем тогда вообще снимать видео для публикаций.

[@andrewfrankovic6821]

Is this meant for humans or some sort of alien non-life?

[@SystematicMastery]

Haha! For now mostly for humans. But maybe Obsidian is on the verge of going viral in the alien self development community..

[@ThinkWithSteven]

Thanks! With this video I concluded this tool offers no value at all and save time trying it myself.

[@SystematicMastery]

That's also a valuable result! It's different for everyone. Good luck!

[@bazmalaza85]

#ADHD

[@SystematicMastery]

Haha, absolutely!

[@GustavoMontanha]

there's this kind of people attracted to this whole package of calistenics, diets, masterym having money to be "free"... how can you not see it is not sustainable, even if you live just for yourself? I like the concept of a second brain, organization, but the rest... it's overkill, not scalable, you'll end you with a handfull of nothing. just saying :)

[@SystematicMastery]

Thanks a lot for the honest comment Gustavo! It sounds like you try to point out the issue of unrealistic expectations - and eventually, disappointment - that might be part of striving for 'mastery'. Did we understand you right? What makes it seem unsustainable to you? So far, we've found that our personal journey to strive for what we find meaningful, is itself meaningful. We try to actively maintain an intrinsic motivation, and accept failure as an essential part of the journey. Trying hard is the goal, not reaching something external. It's not always easy though. We try to integrate the constant 'practice' of striving for mastery in our daily lives. Not to reach a goal, not to be 'free' in an extrinsic sense, but to find small bits of freedom in the minor choices we make to build ourselves up, and struggle by doing so.

[@cz5462]

There's yet another kind of people who disguise their need to control what others think and do with their lives under a veil of sustainability or social concerns... which just amounts to ego and virtual signaling. Just saying :)