The Ryan Holiday Notecard System

[@jocquemorrison9785]

At 71 years old...wish I had used this 50 years ago. But starting now, never to late. 📚

[@jayslungsbloodclot2733]

I'm 57, just started reading books. It is only too late when we take our last breath. As long as we live, we keep learning and growing.

[@myc_tv]

You are my inspiration

[@shouryakharbanda]

You are my inspiration sir

[@miselmesaros4778]

Keep going men

[@AdminAdmin-lj9oe]

Made me realized its never too late, starting at 41

[@DebbyinKansasUSA]

My HS English Composition teacher taught us this for term papers. She was the best teacher I ever had and I used that system all through college. That was early 80s for anyone wondering.

[@annahowland6346]

Yep, it’s how I learned from my English teacher in the mid-90s. I remember sitting on the floor with all of my cards spread out like a giant mind map. It’s how my brain solved the puzzle of putting the paper together. It’s exactly how I would do it today.

[@crom586]

I did this when writing papers in college back in the day. When reading a dozen articles for 5-10 papers it helped so much and made writing papers faster.

[@guilhermelimaclinicadejoelhos]

Well, I have to say: this notecards system is one of the best things I ever heard about reading and the knowledge process. Amazing video!

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks for watching and thank you for the kind words! Happy notetaking!

[@akatgif]

Tru dat. I started using a while ago but got distracted Time to get busy again

[@Marit_tb]

Looks like this might be exactly what I have been looking for

[@sanketss84]

Do read on zettlekasten system if u want to dig deeper. And evergreen notes.

[@lbrowning2543]

This is how everyone at my graduate school used to take notes for their dissertations. I didn’t know someone claimed it as their own invention. Another variation before computers and spreadsheets was to punch holes in the cards and sort them with knitting needles by topic.

[@jimmeven1120]

Knitting needles can cause serious injury or even death. Have you tried Treasury Tags? They're a lot less dangerous. Behold: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n37bZmqqfZWCi7s

[@jay67937]

That uses of an excel sheet is a game-changer! I've seen a handful of other people talk about the note card system but not mentioned the excel sheet.

[@folksurvival]

Better to use plain text.

[@aripse_]

For what?@@folksurvival

[@Iei.a]

Until now, I have been taking notes in my books using a notebook and writing down every fact and exciting point. There was not much organization other than I would title the notebook page with the book I was reading from. I think I am going to use the notecard system to transfer these notebook notes into the cards, thus being able to organize them by category and comparing authors' different interpretations on the same subject

[@mightypensword]

I love this method! I underline a passage I like, then just wait a few decades, and... not sure what the next step is.

[@MisterCross]

As a big fan of Ryan, I love this video, and long before computers were a thing I loved my 3x5 notecards and now in my older age, I’m back to my cards. I never stopped being a fan of pen and paper but our screens make everything so easy and forgetful. Great video.

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks for watching, Kenny-glad you enjoyed!

[@jdhayes]

Awesome - I like the idea of a digital "card theme inventory" to allow for searching and ties the ideas and cards together.

[@ingridfong-daley5899]

I have lifelong love affair with index cards since i was a kid and hand-made music flash cards to teach myself piano. I've since used them for learning Mandarin in college, for writing projects (similar to what you're doing here), recipes of course... they're like a more versatile post-it note, and i love them for it. :)

[@annieyennhi]

I have tried this Notecard for three months and I must say that this method truly transforms my life. Finally, I found one perfectly fit for me. Thank you for your great videos 💓

[@4my4blessings]

A zettelkasten with a thematic digital index, brilliant! 😊

[@imad_jj]

I think with Obsidian it make a fantastic job.

[@SmileTribeNetwork]

I've been reading 4 pages from around 20-30 different books a day, I'm going to start keeping tabs and utilize this system of note taking. Thank you for sharing this method!

[@MacAutomationTips]

I don't want to use the notecards, but I like the method of notetaking. Since I now mainly read Kindle formatted books, that enables me to filter my most important highlights with the notes on why I starred the highlight. When I find the time review the highlight, I can also review my notes and add them to my Obsidian notebook where I can add tags and links.

[@TARRS1]

Well, my life just got more rich. Thank you for creating this video. I owe you my next discovery.

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words-I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Best of luck on your next discovery!

[@mattstephentabamocosmic]

This is great when you want to write a book, article, or any writing papers. It will organize and directly jump onto the topic that you want.

[@katwmn17]

This is the system I used in college "back in the day" to write papers and study for exams.

[@marlenestewart7442]

I was taught this research method in 7th or 8th grade 56 years ago. Tried & true. Thank you, Mrs. Kasper.

[@kasondaleigh]

Thanks! I’ve noticed Ryan’s notecards and wondered about them, because I am not an organized soul, but this looks intriguingly simple and efficient. Nice video!

[@animalrave7167]

Very similar to luhman's ZK system. This really only differs in that you aren't actively looking for connections between seemingly unrelated cards to generate new ideas and including/mixing your own thoughts into the mix. But you could even still include those 2 things into this as well

[@mallorymusallam9588]

Omg the excel spreadsheet idea is brilliant!!!!!!

[@curatedcolour7084]

I have no idea why I am watching this, or if Ill ever consider actually doing this - but I dont care cos this video was awesome. Thanks.

[@intermittentdiversion]

Glad you enjoyed the video! It can be a lot of work to keep up with the system but its also quite rewarding

[@tnijoo5109]

Wow!! This is what I need to do for KZbins. I love this!!

[@danielparsons1930]

Thank you for explaining this. I'm in the process of starting my own commonplace book, and this video makes it seem less daunting.

[@bladethorn]

Very helpful! I would take a picture of each or get a fire/waterproof box for them. My neighbors lost everything when I was younger and its kept me aware of how vulnerable things can be!

[@tjd110]

great video, most interesting part is that very short words about your google sheet used to organize the notes

[@captainnolan5062]

The tediousness and time consuming aspects are actually features of the system that help it work (by forcing you to be selective, and lodging the information into your memory) and not defects or drawbacks.

[@Tyj2000]

I read Sönke Ahrens' book How to Take Smart Notes and really wanted to implement a similar card system. But I couldn't reconcile the physical and digital storage places. I really like your idea of having physical cards and a digital reference spreadsheet! I really enjoyed this video.

[@intermittentdiversion]

Glad to gear it, TJ-thanks for watching!

[@themetamystic]

I'm working organizing my notes and this helps a lot, thank you.

[@bitrudder3792]

Very nicely presented. I have another hybrid idea, and that is to type up the notes (faster and more legible to re-read for me) in a very searchable program that can also print to an index card. The search function makes it very easy to find all the notes that use any given word, or to search specifically for words found in a title line (like MS OneNote.) Using a program that can allow you to print to index card size means that it’s also very easy to print multiple cards, one for each topic, So that no matter how many topics are in a card, you could make a card for each one and store them physically with its buddies. I have a lot of flexibility in print sizes in my older version of OneNote, but I have not found the ability to print anything but letter size in the free version that is cloud-based. Because I don’t pay for premium I don’t know if it can be done in the subscription version. I would hope that you could at least still print to the size of your choice using Word. Having all the quotes in a program like OneNote is handy for a lot of reasons.

[@jonhill3328]

It’s the old adage of the journey that’s important also. The process of creating it is as valuable as the end result, which is why I think it’s better to do it on paper rather than digitally also.

[@nohandle-01]

Great video - thanks for explaining the method so so simple. I just wanted to clarify how the excel works as what you showed in the video appeared to be theming the book, not each individual card which might have its own sub-themes. Hope that makes sense and thanks in advance.

[@wisewomanhealing]

About 1/3 of the way through the video, I pause it and purchase a note card system. Thank you. I had watched videos about using common books but then how to organize the books? This will be, I think, much easier for me.

[@MaryLouiseEklund]

Was taught this system in 5th grade to write book reports and compare assigned books... then later used it as bais for footnoted papers in high school and college... Simple system very powerful use electronic when moving had BOXES UPON BOXES of cards... weight in moving is a consideration when in a military family so moves well when on cloud notes from books in the cloud.

[@benwillson5509]

I've watched several videos on this topic and I loved your explanation of it the most! Thanks for sharing your creative talents and insights!

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks for watching and for the kind words, Ben!

[@ginasmith590]

Thank you for this. I never thought of that.

[@ArtyMars]

omg i was already doing this but like, by accident not aware of why i had a box full of categorised thoughts, putting them all onto index cards that size is a perfect idea, and using TAGS IN REAL LIFE is a life changer hahaha omg thankyou

[@intermittentdiversion]

Awesome stuff, Arty-Keep at it!

[@mikenaples7279]

This is one of the best videos I've found on the topic, great work! I like your numbering system. Thinking of adopting a decimal system myself, with each book getting its own whole number and all of its notecards numbered behind the decimal.

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks for the kind words, Mike! Happy notetaking!

[@ServantStatusMinistries]

Yes like the Dewey decimal system

[@oishiine6781]

That is not a bad idea, but I'll quickly mention that one advantage of something like Luhmann's notetaking system is that concepts are organized by their relation to each other rather than by source. Of course, it's super useful to keep a directory of sources for quick reference, and each note should have the source written on it, but I would consider a more organic grouping model. Food for thought. Good luck!

[@UzairKhan-qd3xu]

@@oishiine6781 i have noticed that more loose broad the sorting is the better it is for innovating ideas to form through associations of various ideas as they are in a randomising medium!

[@thestantons]

I like this idea or something similar. Besides collecting thoughts, I need a way to quickly retrieve and find that information again.

[@allye5399]

New writer. Honest. Thank you! Just thank you! You’ve saved me lots of time to help organize my Notecard system. 🙏💙

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks for watching, Ally! Best of luck on your writing endeavors and happy notetaking!

[@marquisdehoto1638]

I'm trying to implement the zettelkasten and your video really helped me. I now have an idea on how I want to connect them :) Thank you !

[@intermittentdiversion]

Glad it was helpful!

[@captainnolan5062]

The Bibliography card is used for two purposes 1) to track sources and 2) the back of the card is used for taking 'reminder notes" while reading, these are the short notes indicating something about the passages you marked as interesting when you were reading the book which you go back to about 2-4 weeks after you have read your book.

[@Lili_Bengali]

The best video ever on notecards system : clear and useful. Thanks ;)

[@intermittentdiversion]

Glad you enjoyed it, Sandrine-thanks for watching!

[@Yzr-ing]

Wow your video is made with such thoughtful layout for better understanding. Thank you for the content & enjoyed watching your organized mind in content form 😊

[@susanclare5475]

This is a GREAT video, it expands and explains a system that is probably the most useful I have ever come across. Thanks for posting!

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks for watching, Susan-glad you enjoyed!

[@mountainsno]

Thank you for this. I've been planning a website and book and this system is exactly what I need

[@squirrel9760]

What’s it called

[@camilleblanca2332]

Thanks for explaining the system so thoroughly!!! Can I ask how you decide which themes the quotes are? What kinds of theme do you usually write? Thank you xx

[@sweettreatsoverload4296]

It's based upon what your interest are

[@liamtaylor4955]

First heard of this method in Pirsig's Lila back in '92.

[@Bembeleke]

This is powerful! First person came to mind was Earl Nightingale.

[@Sidewalkman1]

I'll definitely give this a go.. Normally I journal my thoughts after the read. This will help refresh and cite the quotes, thoughts, and passages.

[@Ramdas_Devadiga]

Many thanks for bringing this to my attention. In principle, anything that lets you easily retrace your attention back to what you once found useful is invaluable. In my understanding, this system has to marry other information refining and extraction tools to keep this system from crumbling under its own weight within a few years of heavy usage.

[@joshuaesquivel5721]

I feel like uploading them into a digital note taking program, like obsidian or capacities, allows for the linking of similar notes to create something like a neural network of information.

[@samaazeinelabedin5726]

Like arranged the pics at my mobile under certain categories.. flower,abstract,portrait...ect... in order to return to when I need to draw something

[@laralynxx]

This is a great video! I love how you get straight to the point and explain it so simple. I usually underline the important sentences with a lead pencil and when I finish the section, I read them and highligt the ones that I think worth noting to a paper. I do this 2 step method because usually the first ones that I underline are too much (idk if its the right word to describe it) and often the writer explain the same thing with several paragraphs so when I come back to the topic to highlight, I reduce the number of words/ sentences and simplify the info. Then I write them down to a A5 paper when the section of the book ends. When I finish the whole book, I attach all the papers to the first page of the book with a paper clip. Since my major is psych the books that I read are usually named after the general topic of the book so i dont feel the need to note the key topics to a different sheet. But I'll definitely try to take notes after I finish the whole book (and maybe the smaller papers) since it gives you a lot of time to process the info, think about it and gives you the opportunity to test yourself if you actually learned the information or not.

[@bastewart]

Awesome video. Can you create a video sharing all the section titles and more specifically how you structured your spreadsheet?

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks! All of the section titles are just from different themes that I pick up on-there are tons of different ones I label with. My spreadsheet is very simple, most of the work is in the notecards themselves. The spreadsheet just has the book title, card number, and themes listed. I just use CMD+F to find topics I'm looking for. After talking with a lot of people who have found this video useful, I'm considering switching the spreadsheet to a Notion database. Hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@TheEmaile]

I love notebooks and shopping for new ones but don’t love the clutter and dust they gather over time. Will try this.

[@akatgif]

First of all your video production is truly remarkable - in the category of rare and valuable. Second: and noted your compelling reasons why - access to valuable information. Thank you for being an awesome creator - your art is rare and valuable.

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thank you for your kind words-glad you enjoyed the video!

[@sved-sh]

I think you'd love Obsidian to index your physical notes!

[@wanderout1027]

Thanks sir for the vedio ..i used to make notebooks ..but from now on i will use this method thanks sir ❤

[@robertjones811]

The goal of integrating ideas from various sources and topics keeps reminding me of a software called "The Brain". If you've ever seen or heard of the program "Connections" hosted by James Burke; Burke used "the brain" to map - connect - seemingly unrelated historical events and characters such that he is able to deliver episode teasers like 'how the great black plague resulted in the Apollo moon launch.'

[@bibekmishra2212]

This method of Notecard System by Ryan Holiday truly helps in assimilating the insights, quotes, texts from books. I have one question through. If there are multiple topics for a card (e.g. Life/Positivity/Motivation), how can be organized in a physical case ? Should it go to Life section, Positivity section or Motivation section. In Software, it can be achieved through using tags vs storing in folders. Just not sure what is the most efficient way to do it while dealing with physical cards. Great Content. Just subscribed.

[@manishasukhyani2452]

Yesterday, I read about index card idea but was looking for a way to properly use it. Your video was a such a great help

[@intermittentdiversion]

Happy to help, Manisha! Happy notetaking!

[@nayandas591]

Thanks my friend for explaining wonderfully.

[@lindamaxie]

I really like your idea of a spreadsheet for additional tags. Nice video!

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks, Linda-glad you enjoyed it!

[@MichaelNealeYT]

Thank you for breaking down the system more! I took my first note of my own system just yesterday 🤓 Do you write the quote and assign it a topic or do you do more? I wrote out the quote and gave it a topic, but I also wrote the idea of the quote in my own words underneath

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks for watching, Michael! Sometimes I write out my thoughts that accompany the quote. Happy notetaking!

[@francisjayasurya61]

Two days before I saw Ryan Holiday talk at Google .. Ordered his book as well.. While I used to keep my own journals many years.. Your card system and post it and highlight is wonderful concept.. I generally write my notes on the books. No I got your concept.. Fill try these as a habit. Cheers from India

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks for the comment, Francis! Best of luck as you develop your own note system!

[@LetsTalkENGLISH01]

Thank you so much. I appreciate your sharing this system with us all.

[@ri-oj1ul]

Started doing this in Evernote in 2005!

[@gavinberrett3609]

This is a gamechanger. Thank you for the amazing video!

[@rajaramakichenin6306]

Great video, thank you for being clear, concise and having good audio in your video lol - I like your content , keep going! I've subbed :)

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks, Raja! I appreciate your kind words.

[@rajaramakichenin6306]

Intermittent Diversion anytime. Looking forward to your next video.

[@mikolajochocki2810]

Amazing video

[@nat4465]

This is something I might be able to use Rocketbook cloud cards with. They are reusable index cards, so you can get the benefit of writing them down physically and move them around. But then store them digitally in something like One Note and then re use the cards.

[@Justin-tb4cy]

Underrated channel

[@nykolalee6405]

I like this. I'm going to try it.

[@TheStrategicKeys]

I just heard about this last week from a different KZbinr. This is a great system, and I am issuing a challenge to my subscribers and any other KZbinrs that like this system to follow through with it in 2020. The commonplace book 2020 challenge!

[@intermittentdiversion]

This is a great challenge, Gene! Interested to see how it ends up going for you. Best of luck!

[@TheStrategicKeys]

@@intermittentdiversion Thank you! I'll keep you posted. 👍

[@juancarlosgallegos3902]

It's called the Zettelkasten method. Andy Matuschak's Evergreen Notes are a great example

[@ladybird491]

Where did you get that box to put index cards in? Love this!

[@bookswiper]

I also agree that physical paper cards are better for learning and keeping things.

[@nateamp5204]

great way to interact with books and keep me engaged. great video!

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks, Nathan!

[@jimbucsko1017]

Great video. I'm always looking for a better way to take notes, and I intend to try this one out.

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks for watching, Jim! Happy notetaking!

[@bearclaw007]

Shout-out for the Robert Caro's first installment of his LBJ tomes. Amazing stuff.

[@intermittentdiversion]

Agreed-Caro's work is sprawling and immersive. Be sure to check out his book 'Working' if you want a glimpse into his process and some fun stories.

[@ShelterDogs]

This was better demonstrated than Ryan Holiday himself. You can't even see close-ups on his video.

[@nuwanda923]

Is this a sort of zettelkasten method?

[@danielbuller6991]

Jepp Zettelkasten is the right word to describe the method

[@wakakousagi3742]

I will try your method in year 2023 . I had do this in my college before. But now after i start reading, i just dun know how to keep what i read now. In 2022, i am doing mindmapping to sum the book i read, but really is too simplify.

[@danh5637]

You should read schepers Antinet zettlekasten book. It expands on this mindblowingly so.

[@PastorEdwinTheProverbiallife]

Great video. Thank you for making it.

[@InappropriateShorts]

You explained this better than Ryan. I’ve been trying to figure out the difference between this, a journal & a commonplace book

[@intermittentdiversion]

glad it helped!

[@asdfg6h5g7h]

Beautiful editing…

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks, Aditya!

[@mikewice3608]

If you put each them in separate columns, you can filter and sort by each separately.

[@dbremont]

Thanks, I used to naively organize the notes in terms of the books (like a summary), I should have organized the notes in terms of topics and related them with other notes. So I will improve my notetaking system. By the way, for retention, anki is a good tool. Nice day, guys !!!

[@sergiojaenlara2091]

Is amazing how many people escape from screens for being productive. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

[@vtrtaqueta]

I started today! Thanks for the video, helped a lot.

[@intermittentdiversion]

Glad it helped-happy note taking, Victor!

[@KTinBk]

This is similar to a note system I read about from another writer, with some different details. Inspiring, and, I hope, helpful for my research endeavors. I probably won't be waiting between reading and writing the cards as I'm not trying to learn from the rather dry medical papers I'm reading, I'm just trying to use the ridiculous abundance of data efficiently. Thanks!

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks for watching, Kate! Best of luck adapting the process for your own note-taking system!

[@MarthaStam76]

i think is a beautiful idea...maybe i`ll try this for my notes...

[@intermittentdiversion]

Happy Notetaking, Martha-thanks for watching!

[@Guitargasm1000]

In the 70s and 80s the library in school called them a card catalogue

[@ShannonFerguson]

I think that this was the method that Robert Pirsig mentioned in "Lila".

[@mallorymusallam9588]

I also love “the cards as an extension of ourselves” comment. Very Marshall McLuhan

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks for watching, Mallory!

[@staybalancedn]

Yea its a good start. Just that if you have a card with two tags, you have to search through a whole stack of cards that is represents the book before you find the one with the tag you need. Or you can list every card instead but that would be too overwhelming.. good system.

[@staybalancedn]

or i can write the same card twice and store it in difference topics...

[@socorrocornejotorres3124]

Gracias por compartir. 😊

[@divyakothariofficial]

Great Video, Loved every bit of it.

[@intermittentdiversion]

Thanks, Divya! Glad you enjoyed it-happy notetaking!