Zettelkasten Smart Notes: Step by Step with Obsidian

Learn how to take atomic notes with the Zettelkasten method and create masterful work with my book Atomic Note-Taking:
www.atomicworkflows.com/atomi...
I'm building a note-taking app to help you study, learn, think, write and publish-with maximum efficiency and consistency. Check it out at:
join.flowtelic.com.
In this video we go to the first principle of setting up a Zettelkasten workflow in Obsidian to manage your Smart Notes. We cover the usage of Fleeting Notes, Literature Notes and Permanent Notes, including a Map of Content (MoC) to expose an overview of our themes in the Slip Box.
Included is a worked example where we take an article on bootstrapping a startup and breaking it down through the Zettelkasten workflow.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:25 Setting up Obsidian
01:58 Smart Note Templates
03:47 Example article: My Product is My Garden
04:24 Fleeting Notes
05:23 Literature Notes
07:46 Map of Content (MoC)
10:52 Permanent Notes
12:37 Graph View
12:59 Writing a Blog Post From Your Notes
14:55 Preview Notes in Blog Drafts
16:10 Smart Notes Conclusion
16:47 Flowtelic
Support the channel:
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---
Blog: meda.io
Twitter: / martin_adams
#zettelkasten #smartnotes #obsidian

[@Martin_Adams]

My book Atomic Note-Taking: The Ultimate Zettelkasten Guide is out now: atomicnotetaking.com

[@robertwhite3503]

This is the best introduction to Zettlekasten on Obsidian. Short, clear, and comprehensive.

[@peterbond12]

Excellent! I’ve been looking for a practical guide like this for weeks. Your videos are the closest to what I want my own system to look like and the only ones I’ve found to show both Zettelkasten methods and their application inside Obsidian.

[@jean-francoistrudel6969]

Best practical demonstration on the web about the Zettelkasten methodology.

[@pixiegirl9]

I know it's a year after you've posted this, but I just had to let you know that your video has really clearly shown me how Zettelkasten works, instead of just "explaining" how it works, and helped me make the first dip into setting up my own Zettelkasten! Thank you so much! It clicks so much more for me now!

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you, means so much you taking the time to let me know!

[@Kyle-rf5mb]

Agreed, just looking at implementing it and this makes it very clear.

[@TranscendentII]

Is it actually useful? It looks to me like creating way too many notes that will be almost empty. Doesn't it leave you feeling all over the place?

[@zehph]

@@TranscendentIIThe idea seems to be about smaller atomic pieces of info that you string together, seems pointless if you look at one isolated example, but since they are atomic in nature you will be able to backlink to things you found and thought about before that relate in any way, combining the Zettelkesten method with the obsidian graph you can navigate through your content like Sherlock Holmes walks through his mind palace without needing to be a fictional character. Although maintaining these connections might look like a chore, if the method clicks for you then you won’t mind the little extra work upfront to save on possibly greater rework to recall the info later.

[@harishankarparthipan]

@@zehph Thanks!

[@iamtrazed]

Out of all the Zettelkasten videos I have seen in the youtube, It never clicked to me to start using a certain method or follow a particular scheme, but this one right here, just nailed it, thank you very much G!

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you for the great feedback. I’m glad this video has helped!

[@iamtrazed]

@@Martin_Adams how do you link bootstrapping to other fleeting notes, lets say you start a fleeting note based on "What does make a good employer?" and then u start branching the idea of a good employer and u want to link that to boostrapping literature notes or permanent notes? or projects?

[@Martin_Adams]

@@iamtrazed I don't usually link my fleeting notes, but my literature notes might have some links within the context of that single article, and then the permanent notes in the context of everything. This blog post I wrote might help clarify some of the points: meda.io/how-to-make-atomic-literature-notes/

[@rob-moore]

Most videos I watch at 1.5x or 2x speed. This one I found myself constantly going back and re-watching parts. Great video

[@angelost1467]

This is a great intro for a Obsidian newbie to follow along. Thanks for taking the time to share.

[@luucas5]

This is absolutely the best video on this subject. I spent hours and almost gave up on this method before seeing this. Thank you so much, and I'll be sure to check out your content.

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you! I'm so glad to hear that this video has helped you.

[@samuelmonteiropinho7096]

This was one of the best videos of how to use Obisidian. You have covered almost every step of the full learning processo, from taking notes (studying) to writing about what you've learned (teaching). Congrats for the content 👏👏

[@zujev16]

I'll join many of the commentators and express my gratitude to the clarity of your video. Read quite a bit about Zettelkasten and only recently started to play with Obsidian, and your explanation helped to clarify the flow. Thanks!

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you so much for sharing your appreciation. I’m so happy that I’ve managed to help!

[@user-ps3nl6dw4i]

Finally I found a great step by step of obsidian. Thanks a lot !!!

[@TheDigitalLearningConsultant]

Martin, this is a superb walkthrough of the Zettlekasten process and Obsidian. I have really been struggling with the actual implementation of the system and you have made it really clear! Many thanks!!

[@Martin_Adams]

You're very welcome!

[@DenShev]

+1

[@kimmiekimmie82]

feel the same. i was looking for info on how to separate literature notes from permanent notes. now i know!

[@reclaimer176]

I just want to say thank you! Your video was the most relatable way to explain Zettlekasten/obsidian to a beginner like myself. It’s not to talk bad about the other KZbinrs who have made their tutorials, but they always seem to “geek” out about the possibilities during their explanations and lose sight of the audience.

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you 🙏 I really appreciate you saying so, means a lot!

[@ConstanzeWeber]

Where has this video been all my life??? Fantastic and very methodical walkthrough of an excellent technique!!! Very many thanks.

[@gdslick]

This is exactly what I was looking for, an example and walkthrough of how to set up an Obsidian system, actually showing examples of content . Thanks!

[@shyew3034]

Fabulous! I learned so much about the mechanics of obsidian and their actual applications in Zettelkasten while having my hands held! Thank you!

[@Alex.In_Wonderland]

they said it couldnt be done. an honest to goodness, step, by step for the zettelkasten method! bless you and your family!

[@proteadrinker]

This video is absolutely amazing.. never had a video explaining certain concepts so simple and to-the-point that im able to confidently apply it right after.

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you 🙏

[@NikoKotiniemi]

This was amazing, covering not only Zettelkasten method that I wanted to learn from but also using Obsidian more powerfully. Kudos!

[@Quael21]

This is a really great work, was struggling to get started, eating a lot of content without taking the first step . . . as always. This video made it clear to me that it wasn't that big of a step and pushed me to try. Thank you, now i'll see where the taking notes business will take me !

[@montesinopjs]

Martin, let me add my thanks to this excellent walkthrough of combining Zettelkasten with Obsidian.

[@Lukee64]

Thanks for your sharing! This work flow is so useful for an obsidian beginner like me ! Hope you can create more such tutorials in the future.

[@Martin_Adams]

Thanks Luke, I'm chipping away at an Advanced Obsidian Technique book right now. But I have just launched my Zettelkasten book Atomic Note-Taking which you can check out at atomicnotetaking.com

[@artyhedgehog]

I've already using Obsidian for awhile, but you've just shown me how more natural and simple work with that tool could be. Very interesting and pleasant guide! Thank you!

[@Puupsock]

Great video. Started using Obsidian recently and I'm wanting to start a Zettelkasten with it. Been watching a bunch of videos on this, trying to get ideas for how I might go about it. Problem is, most of the videos I've found are either too short and basic to be useful or too long and detailed, to the point of being overwhelming and impossible to adapt to my own preferences. This video hit the sweet spot for me and I've got some good ideas for how to get started. Thanks.

[@amanthakur95]

Exactly what i thought.

[@l0d0wn]

Martin, a brilliant and precise tutorial. I substituted my own area of study and followed your implementation protocol of Zettelkasten. Thank You Knowledge Management is inherently complicated, it all depends on what you want to do and what you are dealing with. This video is a great introduction to both Zettelkasten and Obsidian.

[@SergioImeri]

Recientemente descubrí el método Zettelkasten y tu video me aclaró de una forma clara y concisa cómo implementarlo en Obsidian, gracias Martin. I recently discovered the Zettelkasten method and your video clarified in a clear and concise way how to implement it in Obsidian. Thanks, Martin.

[@vijaykhe]

An excellent explanation that simplified zettlekasten implementation. Thank you for the good work Martin

[@markyoung01maccom]

Brilliant video and the clearest rundown of using obsidian I’ve seen thus far. Well done.

[@brandondye2070]

Wow, I have watched at least seventeen videos regarding this system and none have come close to explaining it in such a clear and concise way! I think we take notes slightly differently but the system itself made sense given you actually showed it in practice!

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you! I really appreciate you taking the time to say so!

[@illustratedjournal]

Super job. Enjoyed it. Really clear and the best description of an A to Z process. Thanks!

[@TerryBenzie]

I really wish that I could like this video several times over. I literally spent 45m with it walking through things step by step and you cleared up a lot of my questions.

[@cjblah123]

This is my first day on discovering the Zettelkasten. After watching a lot of videos on the topic, this one gave me the most clarity and the fundamentals on implementing this on my studies. Thanks Martin!

[@Jonbontabas]

This is a great overview! Best crash course for Obsidian so far. Thank you so much.

[@greentea9894]

Thank you for a demonstration that I can follow along while also using the same folders and templates with few tweaking or simple duplications. It's so helpful for a messy note-taker like me!

[@thiagoyoshimura]

This is a very good video about how to use obsidian in a simple way. I was strugling with templates, but now I could manage it. Thanks

[@TimBoomer]

Thank you Martin for this terrific video. After I recently read Smart Notes, I was eager to set up a system, but the book really did not get me there. This video does! I started to try to set up a system in Notion, but the implementations all seemed kludgy which led me to Obsidian. I am making two modifications. One is to have a separate template for literature notes so I capture more bibliographic information to use for citation later. That way, the literature note becomes a one-stop reference. A second is to add a Source documents folder with PDF's, these being referenced in the corresponding Literature notes.

[@r3y631]

This is the best Zettelkasten video explanation and example i have ever encountered. Thank u so much.

[@lukereilly7786]

This was the most informative and easy to follow guide on Zettelkasten I’ve encountered. Amazing!

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you 🤗 I means a lot you saying that Luke!

[@lukereilly7786]

@@Martin_Adams one question I’d love your take on is how the three steps play out with smaller pieces of content. Say a tweet - do you go straight to a literature note and then make a permanent note? Thanks again for such an informative video and keep up the great work!

[@Martin_Adams]

@@lukereilly7786 Good question. I think in some context's it's okay to go straight from a fleeting note to a permanent note if you're capturing something that's pretty straightforward (facts for example). But if you want to use it to spark some new ideas, or thinking that you're yet to reason about, then a literature note (or multiple) might be good interim notes to capture. I do this with my kindle notes, I'll highlight a passage but then add my own thinking, to explore the idea in my own words and connect it with my own concepts. This would be a literature note until I'm ready to conclude that thinking in my permanent notes. Hope that makes sense.

[@user-fl1lq9pg7w]

I loved your video! I'm so glad to have finally found a clear step by step example guide on implementing a topic into Zettelkasten notes.

[@beibeima524]

Great sharing, the idea of use fleeting notes and literature notes for different use really give much inspiration to me. Thank you!

[@shanelyon6269]

This is the clearest, most concise example of Zettlekasten I have seen on KZbin yet. Easy to understand with examples that I can transfer to real life. I hope you make many more videos explaining the intricacies of the system and some best practices that you find.

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you! More video are definitely coming!

[@dearjem]

Thank you so much for this! literally the understanding of the topic i used while i was following along with you was so much more richer than when i just type/write it out on a bog standard note.

[@tommysito7639]

This is one of the most informative tutorials for Zettelkasten implementation using Obsidian. Thanks a lot~~~~

[@dusidusyanthan3454]

You are these only person who really taught me the real war of using Obsidian

[@abdulaibah6471]

Incredible video and the best in using obsidian I’ve seen thus far. Well done.

[@KP-di2up]

This is sooooo clear!!! Thank you so much for this video. This is a super clear example for making notes.

[@bc4198]

Fantastic, thank you! Been thinking about this a lot, and it's great to see someone actually doing it.

[@charlespereira7869]

Great video of step by step with Obsidian. Thanks a lot !

[@alexanthony62]

Excellent demonstration. Very informative. Thank you!

[@RavindraSinha]

Most relevant video on note taking . Thanks very much

[@ChristopherLara]

Martin, I'm so glad you created this content with the default Obsidian theme. Most of the videos I watch on Obsidian have so many colors and fonts from custom themes and I'm just getting acclimated to Obsidian with the default. For me, this has made absorbing your content so much more impactful. Thank you!

[@Martin_Adams]

Thanks, appreciate you saying!

[@zacgiotto9136]

☺ Thanks for your clear walkthrough of Zettelkasten note-taking system. It helps me a lot!

[@AV-xv3ln]

This is superbly awesome. Keep up the great work my friend!

[@tausifmulla]

Excellent explanation of Zettelkasten methodology.

[@etonwetonw]

Amazing presentation! I was able to follow and implement the demo in Obsidian easily. Good luck with flowtelic ! I have signed up and will be playing with the beta. Thanks Martin.

[@TomasKonrady]

Best video/source of practical example of Zettelkasten. Thank you very much!

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you Thomas 🙏

[@amyounes]

I was about to give up on using Obsidian, then I found this. Thank you!

[@adrianaordonez3247]

God bless u man, I didn't understand how to actually use the system until I saw this video, thank you so much for this video

[@callmejobson]

Thank you! This was very clear and straight forward! I didn't know about ! trick in preview mode!!

[@NajamQureshi]

Regarding Zettelkasten, one key idea I am missing in these how-to videos is Luhmann discouraged hierarchy. Each note was uniquely numbered and new thought was to be inserted according to the context, like 1/1 follow by 1/1a, 1/1b and so on, and new thoughts to be inserted according to the context like 1/1a1 is an extension of 1/1a. The Map of Content approach also seems wrong, the idea was to create an index note with a topic and linking two or three relevant nearby (Close links) notes. If you wanted to research one idea, you look up in index and follow the threads. The same can work for reference folder which is linked back from notes. I like how hypertext digitises Zettelkasten but these apps are really not meant for exploration, rather just storage archives.

[@ianlizarraga9216]

Hi bro, I have the same question (and problem).

[@Gameboob]

@@NjuJFama Luhman discouraged hierarchy Anna... What are you saying?...

[@SHdrummerguy08]

@@Gameboob Luhman gave us a tool. How we deploy that tool in our work depends entirely on our unique needs and goals. A screwdriver is intended to be used on screws, but I can also use it to open paint cans and scrape away surface deposits. Luhman might have discouraged hierarchy, but if someone finds benefit in it for their own workflow, who is to tell that person they're wrong?

[@kihasu2790]

@@NjuJFama I have a different opinion on the hierachical system being purely a limitation of pen and paper. From my understanding there is an automatic connection between Note 1 and Note 2. Even when I add additional notes 1a, 1b, 1b1, 1c in between there is an automatic link from 1 to 2. This link is not present in the Zettelkasten as it is presented here. Instead I would have to reference the previous and following note and maybe even "child" notes by myself.

[@wudaudau]

Thank you for sharing! I think this tutorial helps my stacked situation with the Zettelkasten method about making a writing project. 🙏

[@user-qo1cm7yz6s]

The best video about the Zettelkasten method and Obsidia

[@ProductivePM]

Thank you Martin, great information and presentation style . . .

[@drjuliogarcia]

Great vídeo. Congrats for being so clear. Keep the good job!

[@fata__morgana]

After watching many videos on Zettel, this one is the only that I helped me understand this concept. Massive thanks !

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you and so happy to hear it helped!

[@milesnordwall]

Such a great video. So helpful and easy to follow!

[@AbhishekSingh-on6bx]

Wow! just super, cannot thank you enough for this, have been searching for something like this since long time

[@akigiogio]

I feel lucky to have watched your video! Thank you, I have learned a lot about Zattlekasten process and Obsidian!

[@Martin_Adams]

Aww, thank you 🙏

[@AbhijeetWankhade]

This was just amazing. I would really love to see the workflow for books and how you process them.

[@Martin_Adams]

Yes, I have a few books which I want to share how I process these into my slip-box. I plan to incorporate some of these videos on the channel.

[@KarmaLodroSenge]

Fantastic video and breakdown. I have been looking for something like this video for MONTHS!

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you, I really appreciate your comment! Made my day!

[@superlama6452]

best video starting the zettelkasten obsidian flow.

[@lenifromthewhitecottage2963]

Awesome video! I just came across the Zettelkasten Idea and wasn't that convinced of it's version using Notion so I stumbled over this. I see a lot of potential in using obsidian. A LOT of information in this video, this is awesome! Will be coming back to it often. Thank you very much for sharing this with all of us!

[@Martin_Adams]

Thanks, really appreciate you saying so!

[@ryanbrownx1]

Hi Martin, what a brilliant video! It has been so easy to follow your workflow. I’m in process of setting up my Obsidian. I shall use this setup as my baseline.

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you for the kind words! Really pleased the video has helped 🤗

[@---id4dc]

This video really changed the game for me, cut out a lot of confusion. Thank you!

[@Martin_Adams]

You're welcome, hope you have fun putting it into practice!

[@kimmiekimmie82]

same, although I'm confused about the fleeting notes. aren't they supposed to be discarded, once you have the literature notes and the permanent notes?

[@eshwarnag]

Excellent Video with a nice example

[@MindfulByMoonlight]

Adore this. THANK YOU MARTIN!

[@alial-ghanimi8357]

Just what I am surfing for !!!. Thanks a lot.

[@pacw1955]

Amazing explanation. Thank you so much.

[@dustinoverbeck]

The exclamation mark tip at 14:58 was completely new to me.

[@MarcDimmick]

This was a fantastic video. I got a great appreciation and understanding of zettlekasten and how to apply it within Obsidian. I am intrigued with your app and look forward to getting access to use it for myself. I have seen the trial and it has sparked an interest to see the final product when you release it. I will dig more into your video channel, I really liked your delivery and clear instructions. Thank you.

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you, really appreciate you saying so!

[@iot3136]

Excellent. To the point. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@hboneflash]

Thanks for the video! I loved it and I'm looking forward to Flowtelic.

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you!

[@xasciid3149]

I like this system, it is flexible and extensible - which aligns with the philosophy of the Zettelkasten.

[@lorenzou.u7062]

Gracias por el video, sos uno de los pocos que lo explica bien

[@falmana123]

Great video, thank you.

[@fromPearlNation]

Thank you for a great tutorial!

[@MarinaMichaels]

Just heard about Zettlekasten and Obsidian tonight. Installed Obsidian, came to your video. Your video is helpful, though I had to slow it down to a crawl to look up the commands for what you were doing. Nothing like learning on the fly. :-) I'm starting to like Obsidian quite a bit.

[@DannyHatcherTech]

Great video. I do something very similar with some changes here and there. My preference is to call them capture notes, process notes, and working notes as literature notes could be from a variety of mediums and permanent notes can be added to and changed over time so 'downgrade' to process notes at different times. Less of a rigid structure but that is my preference. 😁

[@Martin_Adams]

Thanks. Yeah that's a nice approach. I also prefer Capture (split ideas and study notes), then permanent notes. The good thing about exploring these workflows is that you can adapt it to something that really works for you.

[@DannyHatcherTech]

@@Martin_Adams exactly!

[@marcelobarcia861]

Very clear explanation ♥️!!

[@aarikk]

This is just great! thank you so much!

[@DeveshUba]

Wow! Just what I needed. Can't thank you enough.

[@Martin_Adams]

Your most welcome! Glad you enjoyed it and hope it serves you well in your note-taking journey!

[@DeveshUba]

@@Martin_Adams Thanks so much, I have watched it several times already. I can't however seem to import templates like you did in the video. What I might be missing? Thanks,

[@Martin_Adams]

@@DeveshUba Thanks. Hmm, templates. First make sure you have the plug-in enabled and a folder assigned to use for you templates. Then it’s a case of clicking the insert template button with a blank note open. Other than that, not sure if there’s something else interfering with it working.

[@DeveshUba]

@@Martin_Adams Thanks so much, appreciate your help. Note to my amateur self - make sure the template (notes) you've made are in the templates folder. :D

[@jinxat]

Perfect, thanks a lot for sharing this

[@steveburnett984]

I echo what The Digital Learning Consultant said. I've been struggling to under this process for more than a year now and you simple walk though has helped me to make my breakthrough. Also, I signed up for your new app. Thank you :-)

[@Martin_Adams]

Thank you, I really appreciate the kinds worlds and support. More than happy to help!

[@steveburnett984]

Absolutely! By chance, could I trouble you for a copy of your awesome flow charge, with a white background, so that I can print it out, please?

[@fernandocesarferreira7878]

Very useful. Thanks

[@CarloAlexander]

PHENOMENAL TUTORIAL. 💪🏾

[@CarloAlexander]

And cheers to your project!

[@planeteinfirmiere]

thanks so much, best YT video on the subject

[@footprint_arts]

Thanks for this ❤

[@dagwould]

This is a great tool for me. I keep my document library (about 20,000 articles covering a number of business-related fields) catalogued in Zoot Software, where I can search, make notes and use so-called 'smart folders' to build selection queries and sub-set collections. Note taking in Zoot is OK, but Obsidian much more flexible and effective. The two work well together.

[@GustavoMontanha]

good video - it helps! Thanks!