Let’s face it: We’ve all gone through a digital hoarding phase.
You’ve saved way too much information than you could ever revisit or put to use.
This information clutters your digital workspace and makes it harder to find the ideas and knowledge you actually need.
I've just published a new free resource: the Information Filter Framework, a 3-step process and ChatGPT prompt to help you:
- Find the most pressing problems you’re trying to solve right now
- Create a list of Open Questions to help you solve those problems
- Use these Open Questions to decide which information you should keep (and finally make everything you collect work for you)
Get it here.
Transforming Procrastination Into Productivity
I've been sharing more on the topic of procrastination on social media lately and it seems to resonate. Here is my condensed guide to dealing with procrastination:
The most common disguises of procrastination
Learning, researching, organizing, and building systems are the most tempting forms of procrastination. You can tell yourself that you're "making progress" only to avoid the point where you need to make a decision on what to do next.
Even having to get feedback on every action you take is ultimately a form of procrastination.
Procrastination isn't always bad
Procrastination is a silent message from your brain that...
1. You don't have enough clarity to complete a task.
2. It just doesn't serve a deep enough purpose.
Sometimes, it's simply your subconscious telling you, "This isn't important right now.”
Here's how to turn procrastination into insight: Every time you delay a task, write down why. Patterns will reveal what changes are needed to better align your tasks with your energy levels, values, and goals.
Overcoming procrastination
If you're avoiding a task, spend time preparing for it instead. Organize your resources, plan your approach, and take notes. It will make the task feel less daunting and kickstart your motivation.
Still procrastinating? Ask yourself: What's the worst that can happen if I start this right now? The answer is often a lot less scary than the wait.
Is Obsidian the True Second Brain? ft. Nick Milo
Obsidian expert Nick Milo joined me for a dive deep into the art of using notes to transform ideas into tangible creative projects.
Does Obsidian beat Evernote? Watch us put the app to the test, tackling a real-life project: producing a Building a Second Brain TV show.
This video is perfect for those at the frontier of novelty - be it starting a new job, learning a new skill, or exploring new places.
Find out how Obsidian can act as your digital workbench, helping you navigate and make sense of new information.
Watch on YouTube.
Extend Your Mind Is Now Available as an Audiobook
Extend Your Mind includes 19 long-form essays I wrote as part of the research and preparation for writing my book Building a Second Brain.
It includes summaries of influential books I wanted to incorporate, stories of my personal learning process trying to develop my methodology, and wide-ranging explorations of how ideas from other fields can improve knowledge management (such as software engineering, telecommunications, manufacturing, evolutionary theory, sports instruction, art history, and others).
Read by an AI-generated "virtual voice," this audiobook is a wild safari into many profound insights about how both our biological brains and "second brains" can perform more effectively in the modern world.
Get it on Audible.
(If you're not based in the US, you might need to click "Do you want to go to audible.com?" to see the audiobook.)
Book Recommendation: Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan
I recently got an advance copy of Noah Kagan's new book which is out today!
I don't think there's anyone I've learned more about marketing from than Noah. I remember when I first arrived in Silicon Valley in my mid-twenties, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (and totally naive about marketing), I'd stay up late watching videos of his talks at conferences.
This book is a condensed, accelerated version of this epic career across companies large and small, as an employee and then as a founder and CEO. It presents entrepreneurship as a dynamic, exciting endeavor that can move far faster than most people realize, as long as you're willing to go out and talk to people.
Get your copy now.
