How to Organize Your Digital Life in Seconds (PARA Method) | Part 1

[@TiagoForte]

Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed this, you might like my book, The PARA Method: www.buildingasecondbrain.com/para

[@kratugautam304]

Sir I will use it to clear my job interviews and competitive exams. This will help me stand out from the Massive Amounts of Geniuses in India.

[@cpwyou]

Very interesting, how are you tracking the end dates for projects?

[@cpwyou]

Would not Archive get very large and potentially cause an issue due to it's size

[@mujey]

😊

[@darryl9488]

Curious and a bit confused about how the two books relate to each other? Do they cover the same material? Would you recommend one over the other, or one as a precursor to the other? Thanks

[@benjavides]

I really like that the acronym still works in spanish. Proyectos, Areas, Recursos, Archivos

[@dfalfan]

Pero de hecho, no sería "Archivos" sino "Archivo"

[@adrianozzz]

em português também: Projetos, Áreas, Recursos e Arquivos. provável que tenha sido de caso pensado, já que Tiago é (meio) brasileiro

[@riccardostaroccia7550]

Also in italian: Progetti, Aree, Risorse, Archivio 😊

[@-suguru-]

In French it’s Projets, Domaines, Ressources, Archive, so PDRA

[@jorgek92]

@@-suguru- HAHA it is so French to think of areas as something dominated, ehm colonialism 😅

[@raymondch33]

Saving this video link into Resources > Interest folder

[@JoshGonsalves]

No joke, this system changed my entire life (for the best)

[@RidetoEnglishwithDM]

Great video, Tiago! These visual examples of what PARA looks like in your own Evernote was suuuuper valuable. Really appreciate you sharing this with all of us! 👍👍

[@debarghyapaul809]

Thanks tiago forte I am a high school student your books and videos , made me organized , I am managing my studies with my hobbies and personal projects .❤

[@tiongkey]

PARA is perfect on Obsidian!

[@TiagoForte]

Heck yeah it is

[@colinpowda]

Finally, watched so much videos about PARA from others, but for the first time we heard it so clearly from the founder. Looking forward to the rest of this series.

[@KayForbey]

This method is changing my life! I just finished your book, Building a Second Brain. I'm so thankful I found you and your content.

[@edjwise]

Video Idea... how do you turn your past work into Intermediate Packets. IP's to me are your most ground breaking topic.

[@ahib0x]

Tiago really deserves better bro, let's get him to 1 Million Subs!💪

[@theviablecoach]

One of the most underrated guys on the internet. It's because real practical advice doesn't get the views all these "productivity hacks" channel promise. Tiago came up with a system that is unmatched.

[@sixro]

I agree. I don't understand how it is possible that he has just 170k subs with the wisdom he has

[@TiagoForte]

😍

[@SP-ii4gq]

Just subbed! You're right, I was just looking into how to organize my files

[@mavrosyvannah]

​@@sixrohow it's possible is just so simple. Have you noticed most people are lost, or losers, or depressed. They have no need or interest is anything leading to a good life.

[@AK-hh1xm]

Hey Tiago, this was an interesting breakdown and the Areas approach was definitely something new that I look forward to trying. I did have one suggestion for you to try out (or explain why you prefer this way in case you've already considered it!) - the Archives folder can actually go within each of the Project / Area / Resource folders. That way stuff doesn't get mixed up again once it is archived and I find it usually works with a way I would refer to an archive anyway (like looking at an older project in reference to a current project). The way I do it is have a folder within square parenthesis called [Archive] within each category so it remains distinct from the others.

[@mikefamm5712]

Do you put archives within both, area and project folders? And then, does that mean you keep projects in the projects folder indefinitely?

[@AK-hh1xm]

@@mikefamm5712 Areas was something new for me but for Projects and Resources - yes. Within my Archives folder there are actually folders for each year (like 2019, 2020 etc.) so you can always put older ones on a different drive if you don't want them there indefinitely.

[@knomad666]

Thank you, Tiago. I have been feeling extremely disorganized for the longest time which creates unnecessary stress and your system has helped to relieve some of that. I literally just bought 2 4'x3' whiteboards for my office to help myself get organized before watching your video. PARA is the first thing I wrote on one of them. I look forward to watching the rest of the videos in your series.

[@robertlittle7314]

I've been using PARA for the past few months. It helps me considerably. For example, just this morning I partially cleaned up my photos folders, with most just getting dumped into a "pre-2023" archive. In particular, I use a project folder for my current genealogy research question, holding the files for that ancestor. The rest of my genealogy files go into resources.

[@TiagoForte]

Great tip!

[@davyL.]

I am currently reading your how to build a second brain book and you’ve just dropped this banger for us to understand more about the PARA method which gives me more insight. Appreciate it!

[@BrownestKoala]

I've been "using" PKM for years (Like I'd had a lobotomy it seems) Then I came across BASB. (Dismissed it as not for me.) Then I found PKM as a thing. The lights went on and I started looking at note taking apps, including the one I'd been using for those same years. Then I went back to BASB and a brilliant flash of a realisation hit me. Now with Obsidian, BASB (The audiobook and paperback) and soon, both of The PARA Method media when released, I think I can say Tiago has fully illuminated the productivity world for me. Even an old retiree can learn new tricks. Thanks Tiago

[@ThisIsDonGeo]

love seeing inside the System. Would like to see more. I get the overall concept, but with so many areas of life, interests, and projects it helps seeing the details on how you and other organize theirs using the PARA framework

[@pilotsproject]

thank you so much, Tiago! this is actually something that I was desperately looking for - an easy and effective system to organize all my thoughts, data and whatsoever. in times of breathtaking AI eveolvement, still I struggle to beginn with the very basics in organizing my own personal data. Also, I do very much appreciate the fact that you present your PARA system so openly on your personal screen. Much easier to understand than just the therory behind PARA. Looking forward to many more of your inspiring videos 🔥

[@pavankumar-sv5ry]

You are my productivity guru. everything you say is relatable and actionable and very precious.

[@KP-ky1sn]

This video has given me the incentive i needed to clean up the fragmented data i had on one note. After watching your video twice, i got to work on fixing the mess i created over the years. It took me a few hours to move and rename sections etc but now i feel like I've accomplished something very important. Also by doing the much needed maintenance work, I've polished up my one note skills. Since i'm very picky picky about what you-tube videos i watch and like value content which is not that abundant on you tube, however this video is super valuable, big thanks to you for the work you put in. By the way i found your video after watching one of Andy parks videos. Both channels have great content.

[@renee8906]

i love the way tiago speaks

[@Dr.MichaelHabib]

I wanted to say thank you! I’ve been looking for methods to organize my life and you entertained most of my questions. In addition, you look like Elon Musk, really!!!

[@crnavas7336]

Did you just give your book for free? You are awesome man. I've been using your system for about a year now and I think it is the the greatest tool of this century. THE SECOND BRAIN!! I truly love it. It has helped me A TON! Thank you so much for sharing such tool. I'm literally obsessed with it and can't stop recommending to everyone.😂

[@BrownestKoala]

I'm with you @cmavas7336. It's so addictive and strangely soothing for the mind. Very satisfying.

[@bellmusic3702]

Thank you so much! Organizing my information has been secondary for me with my new business but as I move forward I struggle with accessing critical information. Now I feel like I have a good handle on how to get started!

[@oakld]

I don't find this system appealing, but overall the video is inspirational. The "ugly truth" about organizing and time management is, that there's no miracle solution. You learn tiny bit by tiny bit and it takes years. I've learned an idea that organizing my tags and folders across notes, tasks, photos, documents, etc. might help keep things tidy. Learned it Today in this video. I think it will turn into a big small improvement. Great job Tiago! 👏👍

[@tramzone]

Looking into this as someone that tries to organize their adhd life. The para is basically how it should be organized for adhd so nothing new but I appreciated the framework and usage of digital tools to achieve it.

[@leandrommr]

Because of your method, for the first time in my life I could see myself with an more organized routine, thanks man

[@IvelisseCruz-oe1hy]

😢8😮😮😮😮😮 1:09 😮pill😢op ññ o😢😢 1:27 o ok😢 olo😮ppñ😢o p 1:34 1:34 1:34 😢pill ñ lo😅 1:37 p7😢😢o 1:37 )p😅p😅

[@IvelisseCruz-oe1hy]

😊😢 1:51 🎉o😮8😢 1:52 8🎉l🎉🎉 1:55 😅p😮ññ8😮😊😅

[@agostinc]

Ola Tiago tudo bem contigo ? o trabalho que voce desempenha é realmente fantastico, mudou muitos minha vida neste sentido. esses videos seus e acredito que de seus alunos mostrando como funcionam efetivamente as pastas, é incrível. obrigado por compartilhar. espero que logo seja lançado seu livro aqui no Brasil.

[@pedrocelestino8551]

Dia 02/08 lança!!

[@agostinc]

@@pedrocelestino8551 MUIIITO OBRIGADO PELA INFORMCAO. muito mesmo.

[@BDV000]

I just set up my Task Manager with the PARA Method and I honestly feel a sense of calm. Now if I can only find the right note taking app.

[@dl1563]

I’m using PARA and it’s been life changing! Thank you 🙏🏻

[@rahel3539]

Wow, I love this method! It makes so much sense and is super easy to use and start with.

[@Taskade]

Hey Tiago, loving the PARA Method series! 🙌 Your knack for simplifying the maze of productivity is super inspiring.

[@ashwinbhat95]

Very useful video Tiago! Just goes straight to the point, and makes everything more clear when you showcase how you use it in a practical situation. As someone who uses Evernote, my current system (or lack of) makes it very jarring to use it productively. I will definitely need to sit down and implement this method onto my own notes. Cant wait for the rest of the series!

[@coxbright]

Nailed the explanation in this video! I'm just gonna send people to this video next time I'm going on about PARA and how I've found it such a breath of fresh air!

[@AbdullahKassha]

Thank you, Tiago, for the PARA system! It has been a game-changer and a turning point in my productivity and organization.

[@JoshuaRyder]

Been hoping to see a series like this! Just started implementing this to gain a conscious memory of everything I’m doing and have done. Very excited to step up my second brain game! 🔥

[@vheisshu]

Good job Tiago. My 2024 reolutiom is to adept this method in day to day life and my professional life. Superb video.🎉❤❤

[@junaiddhukka5319]

Appreciate your work. I have been reading your book and going through Last letter of CODE (Express). These types of Videos help to create our own second brain.

[@technicaluserco]

in the age of information, our brains are challenged to act (or react) more quickly I entered here because I thought this was the Elon Musk method of organizing digital life! The video is interesting and insightful so far, I will follow! very often a basic rule of organization is "learn to say NO".

[@jeffreypolanco8641]

Finding you (videos) on KZbin has been like a naked person finding a jacket in the snow , I guess what I am trying to say is Thank You ! Every second spent on you making this video has my respect and appreciation in every way possible please keep up the good work in sharing your amazing brain with us cant wait to see more from you !!

[@deangreen381]

Thank you very much for charing your personal structure. best example you could get is a look at a running system!

[@trent.langley]

The para method transformed my productivity! Can’t wait for the new book

[@Otakutaru]

Thank you. That's all I have to say, really, Thank you.

[@malingamaddumage]

Thanks for posting this. The pictures in your book introduced the topic, but watching this video really helped me understand how you use set up the PARA system.

[@psychology4introverts]

Kudos for helping your son so much. I wish my dad had had an education plan for me beyond marry a rich banker (I’m gen X) 😀 . Thanks for your system. finally one that makes sense to me.

[@josimarcastro6805]

a melhor forma prática de organizar minha vida digitalmente, the PARA Method com certeza! se vc é brasileiro e está lendo esse comentário, comece agora mesmo a implementar este método em sua vida.

[@jgojiz]

Thank you! Being using your method for knowledge management since I found about you several years now. Bought both books 📚

[@Ilennavanjanzer]

Thank you for sharing this FOR FREE *_* very excited for the whole series :)

[@TheMarkTheory]

Finishing BASB and getting The PARA Method! Thanks for your work!!

[@ec7152]

Anyone else thinks he looks like Elon Musk?🤔

[@chrischromeos]

I did when I saw the thumbnail

[@UnicornPizza]

I literally thought it was him lol

[@pateto_21]

Same

[@Eznus1]

Yeah he looks like Elon musk, I was thinking the same thing

[@MintRahman]

Elon Musk variant

[@angelosalexiou]

Thanks for the time and energy of making this EXCELLENT video! My question is: Where do you save your memories (pictures, videos, etc) files in the PARA Method Folder Structure and how these files are organized?

[@TiagoForte]

Pictures and videos are unique kinds of media that require special treatment, because we now generate them in such incredible quantity, because they are so large in size, and because viewing and editing them require special features. I keep a small number of images and photos in my notes app for ideas or inspiration, but most of my photos from my day to day life, vacations, etc just get uploaded automatically from my phone to Google Photos, which sorts them chronologically by date without any effort needed from me. So this is even easier and power effort than using PARA!

[@vigilantventures]

I truly wish I would have adopted this method sooner but then again I just found your book. Thank you from the bottom of my organization heart!

[@riccardostaroccia7550]

I am Reading Tiago Forte book, and i found this video very interesting! Greetings from Rome ⚡

[@web3io]

Following you from Defi 2nd Brain. Awesome content. Thanks to Defi 2nd Brain and You to show me great content.

[@Karina-kv9ep]

I feel like this should be EVERYWHERE

[@IKcodeIgorWnek]

Tiago this is really awesome framework. Just starting to use it in all my notes. I will spread your knowledge.👍 Thank you! ❤‍🔥

[@Gjermund-Sivertsen]

Brilliant. Thanks. I hope you'll show how to use Roam Research with your PARA system

[@watchuslead]

Powerful framework and so happy I found it years ago! It’s been so impactful for my personal and business life.

[@kanadi19]

I am still confused with AREAS. How does exactly it look like, to differ it from PROJECTS?

[@misugrrl]

This system may just be exactly what I've been looking for - thank you for sharing this information.

[@exerciserelax8719]

Very helpful explanation. I wish you spent more time on Areas because it's the category I understand the least. I sort of get it in theory, but in practice I struggle to know what to put there. It almost seems like more of a meta-category that applies to both Projects and Resources, rather than its own thing. To take an example, Health: In my current projects there could be several projects relating to Health (training for an upcoming race, menu plan for next week), and many documents in Resources (how to design a good training plan, a recent study on nutrition). But what do I actually put in the A folder???

[@elisacordeiro4497]

Hii, so just a quick comment from someone that's been using PARA for a while now. First, PARA is an idea and a framework designed to help us organize aspects of our life in a digital (or even physical) way. And it's Tiago's (super awesome) idea. However, it's' not meant to be a rigid method, so you can apply PARA in you own way and Tiago even encourages this in other videos specially the ones where he's showing other people's second brains. So my use of PARA consists of understanding that these 4 categories are related to each other, each project fits within an area and resources can relate to an specific project or area. Let me quickly talk about my use case -- I use Notion to organize all of this -- I have an "academic" area and within this area I have my academic projects like "baccalaureate" / "law school" / "extension project" / "study group" and then within "law school" I can have my subjects (and tasks) and then I can relate resources and information accordingly to each project, area and even subject. It's actually quite a common use case of PARA, so just like you said, we can have multiple projects that kinda kit within one area and resources that correspond to the project that we are undertaking. You can use different softwares that make this process of "relating the PARA letters" better and easier -- as I said my preferred one is notion, but you can use the one you find best suit you needs. Anyway.. I hope I've been of some help 😃

[@exerciserelax8719]

@@elisacordeiro4497 Thanks for giving me those examples of how you use it!

[@sixro]

Hi Tiago, I read "The PARA Method" book and I have some questions (2 for now :D): 1. I read in a paragrah that TODOs us things that you can do at any time. How do you deal with task that must be managed before an end date? Do you put a memo in the calendar as an appointment to remind it? 2. Do you manage bookmarks in your web browser in a way so that you can use them for projects/area/others? Something like PAR, but without Archives... Thanks 🙏

[@steveo6475]

you do whatever suits you best. everyone's circumstances are different. if you spend time thinking how to categorize things according to how someone else does it you're missing the whole point.

[@railzip]

Thank you for doing this. Videos like these need a million+ views. Going to try and use this method in Heptabase

[@williammorris7279]

I had recently noted your name being mentioned with praise, but had not yet made time to check the spelling and seek you out, so was very glad that youtube anticipated me. I wanted to use Evernote more effectively, and this system fits my need, and my brain. Subscribed. Thank you.

[@soffmusic9655]

Dang, the quality in production of your videos is amazing. Good job!

[@skylerkriese8729]

This was unbelievably helpful, particularly with all of your examples. Kudos and thank you for sharing!

[@WickramarangaAbeygunawardhana]

Apart from PARA, you also have another interesting idea: you have prefixed your projects for your company etc. instead of putting them in nested folders (maybe because of software limitations but nevertheless).

[@Pyxis444]

This is brilliant! I will be trying this. Thank you so much for this video.

[@yojacq]

Thank God for this video that He directed me to

[@polishedandpoisedplanner]

Just purchased the book so I can go through the videos and book together 🎉

[@ronakchauhan8137]

This is not only valuable but also actionable advice. Thank you Tiago 🎉

[@wildswag8071]

Thank you Tiago! I copy your system in todoist, and it works very well⭐️👍🏻 love it

[@colinmarshall472]

Thank you so much for this breakdown. This system is a game changer.

[@tasha8102]

Love your work Tiago, it has transformed how I manage. I will be getting PARA book.

[@SOLIDUSWorld]

Thank you dear Tiago. Really great advice. I will put it into action.

[@ActionPills]

PARA stands for Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives. 💊 Projects are actionable and short-term endeavors with specific outcomes and deadlines. 💊 Areas are ongoing responsibilities or roles that require attention and maintenance. 💊 Resources are topics of interest or useful references that aren't immediately actionable but might be relevant later. 💊 Archives store inactive items from the other three categories, acting as a cold storage for future reference.

[@pengain4]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing and for making it so straight to the point

[@ThiagoMoreiraGoncalves]

Thanks Tiago. I really appreciate all the effort you put on those lessons. Have a great day!

[@javidiaz7071]

Thank you so much for sharing your method

[@alejandropaucardelacruz2684]

Hi Tiago and everyone! I've been using the PARA method since the start of the year, and it's had an amazing impact on my productivity. I really appreciate your help with this! That said, I've been creating a lot of projects related to one area of my life-work. Is there a way to group these projects under a single area? Have any of you tried this before? Thanks so much in advance!

[@AMA2801]

Love from Brazil - Thanks for sharing😘

[@thiagopimenta5686]

Tiago, thanks a lot. I am from Brasil. And I will study your method.

[@laurenceglazier]

Perhaps a category below Projects for outcomes without fixed due dates. PARA a very fine analysis, thank you!

[@acideye]

Great video! All the data you have curated over the years is extremely valuable not just to you but also to prying eyes. How to you protect your identity and protect that information? Might be a good topic for a video. The PARA method could be used on many different platforms with pros and cons for and against each. It would be interesting to hear your interpretation and approach. I am currently exploring with Obsidian.

[@SayaliTank]

This is an amazing video. I was really looking forward to see how you use PARA. Currently reading BASB. You are making my life better. Thank you :)

[@siddhrau]

Really full of knowledge and learning. Are you maintaining two different set of PARAs? one for Professional Life and another for Personal life?

[@FerdausAmzah]

I'd love to see a methodology that ties this with the GTD framework seamlessly.

[@OnlineTherapistGroup]

agree!

[@ollie_r8162]

It is pretty much lifted from GTD. David Allen advocates filing things based on project files, specialized references and general references. This is just named a bit differently here.

[@TiagoForte]

I’d say PARA is an add-on to GTD, fleshing out two categories that David Allen identified but didn’t go deep into: Project Support Material (the P for Projects in PARA) and General Reference (the A for Areas and R for Resources). So it’s highly compatible, complementary, and works on the same principles

[@sevasundri]

Tiago, can you do a video explaining how you organise an area such as 'car'? Like how does this look? Insurance, past maintenance, future service dates, repairs needed etc I think your videos are great but maybe you could start slowly and show your step by step process? Although I get the jist, it would be beneficial to give clear examples. This would help to spread your methods as a lot of your examples are not transferrable enough for more simple folk. Cheers

[@charlesgwinter]

OMG mind blown. i'm implementing this barebones version now on all my devices

[@christiandiaz587]

I am already reading BASB and the idea is to continue with the PARA.... Greetings ✌🏻

[@SteveDunn]

Fantastic, Tiago. Really looking forward to Part 2.... and of course the book.

[@TiagoForte]

Thank you! Here’s part 2: The 10-to-15 rule (PARA Method) | Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5_IqayJlqimnbc

[@PI1901]

Thanks a ton! I very much needed this as my current folder management is not working.

[@MinyetteB]

Wow, this is exactly what I need in my life. ❤❤❤

[@markotoole2407]

I like it! As an architect & project manager, each project has different subject areas that have multiple documents filed in them )ie. scope, program (timeframe), costs, resources, stakeholders, procurement, quality, communications, & risk). Wondering how would you suggest blending this file structure with the PARA method?

[@traceysmith311]

Great video...I've heard about PARA before but hearing you explain it made total sense. I went and pre-ordered the Kindle version so I can read it as soon as it's released, and I'll definitely be tuning in to your upcoming videos. I use OneNote for my second brain, so I hope some of your videos will show suggestions on how to utilize PARA in OneNote.

[@kuu7913]

Hello Thiago Forte, I am Korean and I read your book 'Second Brain' and I am very interested in the method. I'm curious if there are any plans to publish a Korean version of 'The PARA method'.

[@МаксимЧерный-ф5ч]

Has no one ever wanted to divide projects into areas? It is more convenient to separate work projects and tasks from personal ones. Area -> Active Projects -> Tasks and notes -> Archive -> Tasks and notes

[@carlosrebolledoaguirre4682]

Ufff que buen video. Utilizo PARA en mi Workflowy y estaba esperando verlo y será genial ver los siguientes (entendiendo que por el título de éste (Parte 1)), especialmente para quienes quieren implementarlo para su pequeña empresa y en grupos de trabajo. Muchas gracias Tiago

[@GetHealthy4Good]

This is a great video, it gives a lot to practice and think about, I have some questions that I'll be glad if you answered: What if this whole organizing system, folders, memories etc. will be deleted? What do you do when you aren't near a pc or a digital device?

[@abdelouahabmotrani3831]

Great work, valuable informations, thank you.