Inside Ali Abdaal's Second Brain System

[@aliabdaal]

Thanks for coming over :) had a great time!

[@mitchellcohen]

great video 💪

[@lichb0rn]

Hi Ali, thanks for sharing. But I'm curious how did implement Zettelkasten in Apple Notes? I mean it's not typicall software for that case. Maybe another video with explanation?)

[@TiagoForte]

@Miroslav we cut it from the video but in our interview Ali talked about how he's repeatedly started and stopped doing Zettelkasten (usually in Roam) but has never gotten it to stuck as a practice

[@lichb0rn]

​@@TiagoForte Ah, ok, thank you for clarifying it! Also many thanks for the video, I was feel a little bit torn between Apple Notes and Obsidian, both have cool features that I need. But seeing Ali's workflow, I feel better on that behalf, and how to incorporate them both.

[@joshvelte1990]

Has anyone figured out how to get audiobook clips into Notion? That is my primary way of consuming books and I don’t feel like my second brain is complete without audiobook capture

[@StonedNoob]

Ali Abdaal: The Art Of Complicating Simple Stuff

[@Cell343]

absolutely Outlook and OneNote will do the Job

[@waleed0243]

@@Cell343 So True, I jot down whatever idea comes in my mind in apple notes to save it temporary, then I have a proper folder hierarchy in OneNote, in my free time I move items from Apple Notes to OneNote

[@CoachMak]

Legit just lold 😂

[@havefunbesafe]

Toxic productivity

[@mv2g09]

Although he is running a 4million business using this system. Seems quite proportional I think. ESP if there are companies using even more Chucky systems that’s makes less revenue😅

[@Jusangen]

Really enjoyed the graphic representation of Ali's system! I'm betting that took a lot of work!! But this would be awesome to see you do a series on several creators second brains (maybe that's already in the works). In that case, I'm very excited to see the incoming ones! Thanks again Tiago! Keep it up!

[@TiagoForte]

3 more in production as we speak ;-)

[@Jusangen]

@@TiagoForte Awesome! I would love to offer any help I could with transcribing, editing, or proof reading if you would like an enthusiastic volunteer. Best!

[@NoraConrad]

I absolutely love seeing other people's systems and setups. I can visualize the idea of a second brain but seeing other people's methods is so helpful, I hope you guys will do more of these in the future!

[@TiagoForte]

Definitely will

[@wherezthebeef]

Long time fan of Ali, and his system is very logical.. still, not really necessary for most people, as there's much overlap in functionality of some of the apps, Apple Notes alone can do most of this... but apparently he can manage it all.

[@joaomaximo6148]

I saw this video a year ago when I wanted to start my second brain. In the process of doing it on Notion, adding to-dos it became more of a task manager that gave me stress of maintaining the system. Now, reviewing the video and the PARA method it is such a 🤯 moment

[@ChillwithHanASMR]

Ali is so inspiring, he is the reason I let go of perfectionism and finally started a KZbin channel!! And didn’t immediately delete it😂 love this video, so grateful to be here!! Thank you for your time and work and for bringing Ali on!! 😍✨🙏🏼

[@Junaid_x01]

More power to you girl. Will support your channel for sure 🙏🏻

[@AnaMarcu]

I loved the graphic representation, I immediately screen-shot that. I wondered why Ali doesn't do this video himself and keeps teasing us with bits and pieces of his system, but now it's here, and my mind is blown. I'm rewatching it the third time and taking notes copiously.

[@Farinata2]

It looks like Ali Abdaal team did the video and gave it to Forte.

[@nascentnaga]

because youtube money

[@LiveWellBetter]

Reading BASB now-loving it! I hope you’ll do more of these videos showcasing Second Brain setups, it’s both inspiring and educational to see it all in action-Thanks!

[@TiagoForte]

oh we will :)

[@LonelyBunker]

I love the intense notetaking shot of Fifty Shades of Grey

[@kalyank9206]

Loved the bit at 0:38 where Ali's taking notes from Fifty Shades of Grey 🤣

[@marisol033]

i NEVER EXPECTED THAT...I HOPE HE DID NOT WASTE HIS TIME READING IT.

[@justin-hurd]

"How..not..to..write..$ex..scene.." --Ali

[@villainarc9668]

Bro is planning for the future

[@JamieWhiffen]

7:11 hey, there's me! Awesome video guys, this came out really well and I'm super impressed with the editing 🔥

[@TiagoForte]

You're an entire node of Ali's Second Brain 😂

[@VedavyasRS]

😊

[@tamaraarnold880]

Bwhahaha I love that Ali is reading “Fifty shades” and taking notes in the b-roll

[@sadiqmiah9844]

Just an observation but this looks really complicated. Alot going on, too many apps to create a second brain. I don't know but I assumed a second brain was to streamline and make things very simple? I just don't think it has to be that complicated

[@WajdiGary]

I agree with you, not everyone needs this all, I'm using Google keep notes for my simple notes sync, and using Microsoft Onenotes for my learnings, and using Trello for my Job and education. Also using free mindmapping for my process. That's more than enough for me.

[@Argenis_]

Was jut thinking this a second before reading your comment. Agreed.

[@caominhnguyen2767]

Agree. He just over does it

[@cindylizbeth196]

I think this makes sense for him because he needs a few separate apps for business, such as notion which his team has access to. Some apps function as a collaborative brain. The rest are private spaces The rest of us should certainly aim for simplicity though.

[@malikamanelva]

I love it.. not every app is made for everything & it’s honestly what works for you.

[@TheVeronicaSteele]

Learning CODE and PARA has been life changing! Where I work, we have strict restrictions on what tools we can use which limits my ability to automate (forward emails to systems). Having a framework allows me to stay organized even without the helpful automations.

[@KulwantNagi]

00:04 Ali Abdaal's Second Brain captures information from various sources. 01:57 Ali Abdaal uses a variety of apps for different purposes. 03:41 Efficient and frictionless information capture 05:22 Ali Abdaal's Second Brain: Organize 07:05 Utilizing automatic organizing capabilities in notion to manage video production and idea capture 08:47 Embrace chaos to find organization 10:28 Using the second brain system to recall and organize ideas for content creation 12:04 Using simple apps for quick and easy expression. 13:51 Valuing your own idea and trusting the process. 15:36 The Second Brain Productivity System by Ali Abdaal

[@NonstopNeuron]

Two people from whom I learned so much together.

[@nish_ttp]

Does anyone else watch this and find the level of productivity slightly overwhelming, like scarily productive? I feel like these guys are on a different level to most people.

[@TheVideomaniacs100]

It seems exhausting, to be honest

[@jujunorman4695]

Completely ok to use notion normally and nominally

[@dcotai2902]

..this is initial process information personalisation…next level you design formatting n buttons 😅knowledge and value creation …products and services uEx / UI …first time in start up …was 6 months was without current AI..imo do it first time without AI ..

[@SindysYoutube]

Jeff Su has a simple productivity system.

[@Bugbeariv]

He has a team + its built up over the course of a long time thats why it overwhelms us

[@GlorifiedGremlin]

Nobody ever touches on security. I cant use half the apps yall use because im not giving anyone access to the intimate inner workings of my mind lmao

[@chetan10x]

NOBODY ELSE noticed Ali taking notes from Fifty Shades of Grey 🤣

[@MelissaWiley]

Such a delightful look at Ali's system. I really appreciate this kind of behind-the-scenes look at how people apply BYSB practices. Always helpful to hear specifically how you're using particular apps for different purposes. Evernote is my main Capture tool (for over ten years now) but I have to say I really love my Mac's native Stickies app for quick captures. I have one sticky note set to "float" and while I'm watching a video or in a Zoom call I can jot down notes without having to click away to another app. Then later I can paste the contents of that sticky into Evernote. I also appreciate how tiny the sticky's footprint is on the screen when I'm not using it.

[@SerenaAlfaro]

Stealing this idea! Thank you. 🙏

[@abinayasowriraghavan7319]

A good example of how to perhaps not worry too much about perfectionism ! Let chaos reign , yas 🙌🏽

[@TheKevinShen]

Incredible! Love the edit on this one :)

[@ALifeofLearning]

This was such a great video! I am a beginning youtuber and have been struggling with keeping track of information I read and might want to use later for my videos. This illustrated so clearly how a system like this functions in real life. Thank you! :)

[@TiagoForte]

Amazing to hear

[@rakshitjoshi111]

@@TiagoForte ghare hoi

[@iwant2stayhome]

After watching this video you changed everything for me about apple notes. This was life changing

[@willbi6552]

This is awesome video. Great sharing. I'm curious, how do you make the diagram animation, could anyone share the App, or the tricks? Appreciate.

[@noahshaju2401]

This is a million dollar video - i would have watched it if it was 50mins long!! Thank you Tiago

[@jolovillanueva6504]

man that 0:38 fifty shades of grey..so much lessons to pick up

[@nattewaditep]

This is such a great vdo! Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring!. I have to watch and pause, watch and pause while taking notes. I am new to notetaking this way and just can't believe there are so many tools available. Really, thank you so much.

[@buntomat]

Thank you very much for the video. I organize my "Second Brain" only with tons of text files in markdown. Every app I use can read the files and I won´t lose data by changing it in the future. All notes in one place. ;-)

[@TiagoForte]

Hardcore

[@adyton]

We are witnessing the perfect harmony and dancing of two high IQ's in full operational mode. The editing takes the video to another leve I should add.

[@zactivitiesonly]

It’s overwhelming to those who don’t have this much going on in their head. But this is relieving to me , someone who has all this in my head whether I want to or not. And given that I have certain ambitions, THIS SORT IF WORK is THE GAME CHANGER to allowing me to be both productive and happy at the same time. It’s not something you just consciously design, rather you discover a workflow for yourself and your ambitions and passions.

[@malikamanelva]

Seriously love Ali! Been inspired by him for years! I first started watching his videos when he taught me about Anki years ago. So proud of him!!!! 🎉

[@franthor]

This actually makes me relax about all this productivity parody and all its superstars. I actually see that ali s method is as messy as mine if not much more as he uses even more apps!!! Value your own ideas, your own method. Grab some of the suggestions but adopt only what works for you. In the end it will be messy anyway. Love que quote to let chaos rule and then rule over chaos!

[@ashcross]

Interesting, for sure, but the problem with such systems is that they are only optimal for people dedicating their lives to... explaining how to use those systems. It is a system designed to optimise itself as an end itself, though I guess some people take what they can and incorporate certain ideas into their own workflows. I don't think it is healthy to adopt such systems wholesale. For a start, each of us has a different learning style and different capacities, aims, skills and schedule.

[@garysteyn1039]

I agree with you that the system is far too elaborate, but I think that there is a lot of value in actually contemplating why they feel the need to incorporate certain mechanisms into their systems. In particular, it's interesting to see how they are able to mitigate the probability of forgetting or incorrectly categorizing information that they might find useful with respect to some task or goal.

[@ashcross]

@@garysteyn1039 I never said there was no value in it, but people should take care not to fall into a trap where they believe productivity as a lifestyle makes one productive. The paradox is that most people spend many hours reading about productivity, which is obvious irony, and likely to lead to a lack of authentic productivity in their own lives!

[@garysteyn1039]

@@ashcross True lol. At some point the extra time you spend fine-tuning your system doesn't justify the marginal returns to productivity the system will actually yield.

[@wyron1160]

I agree. As experience teaches, it's easier to overcomplicate things rather than simplifying them!

[@davidwilliams6089]

I’m unclear about it being unhealthy, or do you mean obsession over “process” instead of capturing ideas, notes, journals & knowledge of interest?

[@rafaelziggy]

This is one of the most incredibles series of productivity that I've seen. Very useful to create our own strategies and methods for our own PARA. Keep doing it, please! :)

[@diazluiseduardo]

This was so cool! I can't wait to watch Elizabeth Filips System!

[@TiagoForte]

Soon™ Elizabeth's approach is really fascinating and totally different from Ali's or mine

[@mard2714]

Another amazing video! Thanks for the valuable content 💕

[@arthurlima3328]

Man... Mind-blowing!!! Thank you guys for so many really practical tips and information.

[@Greatscott24]

I’m stuck trying to decide whether I’m a gardener, librarian, or architect. I’m a little of each, so I hate to rule out entire avenues with all of the fruits that could be harvested down each path. Ultimately, I may just go with Evernote for the sake of its all-in-one approach. Regardless, it was great to see how someone else’s second brain works. I’m currently reading your book and I eagerly look forward to implementing it into my life.

[@thevahandbook]

Sounds as if you have a Scanner personality. There is a great book called Refuse to Choose by Barbera Sher you should check out. It's life-changing.

[@nicrobb]

Really enjoying the series of breaking down creators 2nd brains

[@hrishikeshh]

@0:37 Kinky boy taking notes from "Fifty Shades of Grey".

[@saidboujeeane]

Came here for this right away lmao

[@callmejobson]

I'm about halfway way done with the book and I am really enjoying it!

[@TiagoForte]

Love it!

[@wblxcskier3]

Loving your sharing of your guests' BASB Maps. What software do you use to map it out? I really appreciate seeing everything laid out with flows and connections.

[@TiagoForte]

Thank you! We build it out in Keynote, then animate using After Effects

[@GrahamHart-o7j]

Without having read the book but watched a few videos from both creators i have used the system for two days. I didn’t think it could work so quickly but after a day of capturing from multiple sources and getting into flow multiple times i came up with some of the best ideas I have had without the procrastination that usually stops me. The end result was two proposals which I shared with my team. I would say this is going to take some time to learn but worth it. Yes they make it look easy as they have made it part of their lives.

[@TheMissChispitas]

Are you still using it? I would like to hear how it's going!

[@abhisheknandann]

0:37 My guy is taking notes from FIFTY SHADES OF GREY!!

[@DrBrianKeating]

Amazing to see two great 🧠s squared!

[@levelupgoddess9289]

Great video. I use apple notes daily but i downloaded the rest u mentioned. Cant have too much.

[@willhelliwell]

My favourite bit of this video was that beautiful MacBook cover. My second favourite part was the example of looking up info in your roam space and finding useful stuff. Once you have enough notes in there, it makes it so much more efficient to look there first rather than Google.

[@itskrox-johnochuro]

Nice! that was enjoyable to watch!

[@darius1b]

Great video. Very interesting and comprehensive....but it makes me glad that my 'second brain' is a lot calmer and simpler than this! 😄

[@oldAyushShuklaYouTube]

Guys, I am confused about having multiple Apps. Tiago has apple notes, Evernote and notion? And he keeps both prof & personal together? So how are they different? He keeps them all and replicates the, manually?

[@subinitamazumder]

Okay I need to know what he was "capturing" from Fifty Shades of Grey 0:39

[@ohthatsjake]

Wow, super helpful video and also very well-edited. You can't help but stay engaged.

[@mard2714]

Am I the only one who thinks Tiago Forte looks like Elon Musk?

[@keithdow8327]

I hope not. Tiago sounds sane.

[@mard2714]

@@keithdow8327 thankfully haha ! I meant their facial features.

[@serendipity6277]

The editing on this is sick!

[@Officially_FabulousFABI]

Clean shot, is not available in the Apple Store. Can you suggest update option?

[@toranshaw4029]

I'm certainly more in Ali's camp, regarding the number of note apps used... as each one is for specific purposes.

[@dineshvkumarangapandu07]

Incredibly extraordinary video Editing is at next level Instantly subscribed the channel & don't want to miss valuable information from the channel

[@SamCaldwell]

You really talk about the toilet a lot in many of your videos, and it always makes me laugh. If I had to guess it is the most mentioned "friction" in your videos in the sense of using a particular tool because it works offline because you may need it while on the toilet. Great content, as always!

[@thevocalmortgagemogul6441]

What app are you using for the break down charts of what apps you use for what?

[@guillermoreyescabanillas4972]

Does anyone know the app or tool they have used in the video to create the graphic representation? Thanks!

[@DSGQR]

I loved this video but as someone newer to this system and one that gets overwhelmed with “too much detail” this video is probably best for power users that have a great understanding of not only BASB but how their own thought processes work.

[@TiagoForte]

Well said

[@animeguy6877]

0:39 Ali might be the only person who takes notes even while reading 50 shades of Gray.

[@rashedulakash5492]

The video I need this at moment ❤️

[@VaibhavShewale]

great stuff my dude

[@cgott42]

Nice video. Is there an app that also uses my trusted source info but allows me to save the connections. So I don’t have to reimport the sources each time Also to keep previous pinned notes

[@LikeDesignHero]

It's nice to see the actual breakdown, the thing I find stressful / overwhelming is having the perfect system when actually just need to let go and embrace a bit of chaos lol

[@alexanderchiong]

Does anyone know if the notion template Ali uses to write out his video ideas, available?

[@keving.3844]

Thank you for showing an example. Do you have any other examples of how to apple this approach to design and construction management with an emphasis on customer service to a school district?

[@RichardThomas30]

Love these insights and the app recommendations. Not sure if it was this or another video but you asked if there was a good source to capture notes on KZbin videos. I believe he answered he watches them mostly for entertainment. However I think some of these insights would be amazing in my second brain. how do you recommend capturing these types of thoughts from YOU TUBE specifically?

[@sohaibfurqan]

A bit confused as to what the point of all these different apps is? For example, why use Apple notes and Roam and Day one and notion at the same time when everything can be done with just notion? I might be missing something here.

[@johnsonmichaelb]

Ali -"hmmm, not a big fan of PARA" Tiago - "heeey....." what a cute moment :)

[@RykerBolt-xl4xi]

An absolute freaking nightmare for someone with combined type ADHD!!!!! It almost feels like, "If I use more apps than you... I’m better. “How can you build a 2nd with apps as simple as MinimaList for example! I really doubt it.

[@seandefreitas]

Very useful video. Full of goodies for those interested in the PKM space.

[@devznow4750]

Please also suggest FOSS apps. What about people who can't afford it.. there are so many apps with hefty price tags

[@ionutboss1266]

2:50 cleanshot pt screenshots video mini gifs pe care apoi le pune in moodmoards pt echipa la edit. 15:06 notion Frameworkul template youtube clip Cu notes, referințe, sugestii de titluri și lungimea lor ca si nr de caractere

[@NBTJacklyn]

10/10 thumbnail

[@PeteGoode]

Tiago What is your experience with the remarkable tablet & digitized, but manual (handwritten) notes?

[@jinjin9278]

that's awesome!!!

[@dkazand]

A subtle point at 11:45 the internet has become much more noisy (less signal) over the years. The gaming of SEO has ruined google search results. This creates a need for a personalized ecosystem of higher signal information (second brain). It really wasn't always like this. I remember easily finding gems in one google search 6-7 years ago

[@nelsonbautista4929]

Love this! So inspiring ❤

[@euforiaz]

To me having all these different apps is like having a bunch of friction in between my thoughts ideas notes and expressing them out into the world. It's like having 12 or 20 different kitchen appliances when you can use only one or two that do most of the work

[@martyn_b_jones]

I highlight a lot of key points from ebooks in Apple Books and can export these into Notion with Readwise. Curious that you seem to have a lot of physical books, so how do you read those and get those highlights into a digital form? Are you just making your own comments in say Apple Notes or is there some kind of app/workflow to do this eg taking a photo of the books page

[@ob3443]

Reallyally interesting. An aspect that usually remains undiscussed is the cost of these solutions: what is the USD footprint of using tools on a monthly basis? The cost quickly adds up.

[@TiagoForte]

Yeah we are going to do a second brain at multiple costs vid in future, good point!

[@4poorv]

Which tool did you use in your video to visually demonstrate the workflow?

[@gauravdeep]

At 0:38 I lost it when I saw Ali jotting down notes from Fifty Shades of Grey. I seriously wanna know what's he learning from that book. 😂

[@puneetsinghludu5125]

Ali my brother taking notes from 50 shades of grey for research purposes🤣

[@MaiKai_Makena_Property_Advisor]

Powerful video. Can you please link to all apps you use.

[@firstprinciplesinvesting]

Taking notes from Fifty Shades of Grey! Nice :P

[@richarde1142]

Thank you!

[@apollomedia7210]

I think complicating thing is not helpful. But it works for him.

[@LostOnTwoWheels]

Good lord! I hope he has all this backed up on film. If there is ever an EMP, he won't know how to tie his shoes.

[@cooluser23]

Tiago, could you do a video for us who are stuck in an Microsoft Offixe 365 ecosystem for work? (Onenote, Teams, MS ToDo, etc.)

[@person6539]

I don't really understand what you actually write in the second brain. For example, in Ali's second brain, there is a 'book' section and a 'learn mandarin' section. Does he actually write the book and take notes on mandarin in these as well as just ideas about them? In my case I am going through school and learning web development, so do I actually put my notes in here as well? or/and do I put ideas on how to study these subjects or both? Also how do I know what fields of life to put in these - like Ali has Projects, Areas and Recourses. Also do you include things like journaling and todo lists? Where do I start? These may seem like vague, silly questions but I have managed to confuse myself.

[@NnamdiAjuzie]

Please what software are you using to map the apps that Ali is using for his second brain?

[@lukajeliciclux3074]

As Linux fanatic I generally don’t listen Apple users but Ali Abdaal is different. Absolute genius and absolute legend. I love it ❤️❤️❤️

[@AnnaPinguin]

I keep thinking that is too much. My problem is the integration , looks like there is not one place when you can integrate all. That make me more anxious. that have the stuff separate

[@OrangeBlossom4x4]

I'm new to this system, admittedly, so my comment is coming from someone who is just starting to review the book and ideas presented there. But from this example, it seems that this system is highly complex with several different applications that seem like overkill from my perspective. I am looking for ONE primary capture tool, to consoldiate and centralize my thoughts for work, school, personal growth, personal life, learning, etc. I'm looking for simplicity, rather than a complex ecosystem of tools, so I hope i find that in BASB which is what I was hoping to glean from it.

[@sethsuplin4778]

I can relate. Simplicity was key for me too. I would encourage you to just pick an app and start capturing. I have a bullet journal that I use to capture most things. If I’m on the train or doing anything where my phone is more convenient or appropriate, I capture stuff with Apple Notes. Just start with one tool and if you realize that something is missing that your tool of choice can’t do, then add another. Start simple and get complex, if necessary. One tool might be all you need.

[@OrangeBlossom4x4]

@@sethsuplin4778 yeah I have used Apple notes in the same way for years, but I have lots of stuff decentralized in browser bookmarks etc. I want to bring them into one cohesive system, so I was hoping to level up

[@gabriellalowe3687]

Hi Tiago - great video! Can I ask what software you used to design the graphic? Would love to do something like this for my team.

[@TiagoForte]

We used Keynote to design the rough graphic, then re-built it entirely from scratch to animate in Adobe After Effects (massive props to our editor!)

[@izba-chitalnja]

@@TiagoForte ❤❤❤

[@br5644]

I loved the graphic representation how was it build what software was used ?

[@TiagoForte]

After Effects

[@add1989]

Hey Ali, You mentioned that you're not a fan of PARA... Can you expand on that? Why don't you like it? What do you use instead?