5 Lessons for Building a Second Brain in Obsidian

📝 No note-taking app is enough to build a second brain.

💡 Building a second brain requires the use of multiple tools.

📚 Zotero, Read Wise, and Map Matter are recommended tools for reference management.

🗓️ Morgan is a useful tool for managing tasks and calendar events.

📝 Finding a specific use case for using Obsidian is important to solve friction points.

🔍 Using Obsidian for articles and research helps with footnotes, outlines, and split screens.

📚 Expanding the use of Obsidian for project management and linking with other apps like Morgan.

📝 Obsidian is a text-based tool with outlines, plugins, and split screens that offers speed, flexibility, and extensibility.

💡 Understanding the basics of Obsidian, such as block IDs and markdown, is crucial for utilizing its features effectively.

🔌 Core plugins in Obsidian are the essential features of the application.

📚 Learning the properties in Obsidian, specifically front matter yaml, is important.

🔍 Understanding the difference between quick switcher, search, files, and bookmarks is crucial.

🔌 Obsidian allows users to turn features on or off and offers extensive customization options.

🔧 Knowing where things are stored and understanding the basics of the app is essential for troubleshooting.

📝 Starting to use Obsidian without a specific goal or plan can be beneficial.

🔑 When building a second brain in Obsidian, avoid making bulk changes until you are consistent with your system.

⏳ Instead of setting a fixed goal, continuously work and make changes as you go, giving your setup enough time to see if it works.

🔄 Experiment with changes on specific files or a few files first, and only make system-wide changes if needed after observing the differences over a week or two.

💡 Action and learning through experience are more effective than passive copying and pasting.

🔑 Use templates and videos as inspiration to adapt and personalize your own system.

🌟 Engaging with the community and exchanging ideas can lead to valuable insights and inspiration.

📚 Learning from others and their tools can provide inspiration and different approaches to building a second brain in Obsidian.

💡 Exploring other apps like Tana and Any Type can spark ideas for features and flexibility in Obsidian, even if they don't currently meet personal needs.

🗂️ Comparing folder systems and workflows with others can highlight the variety of approaches and the absence of right or wrong methods.