# If your notes app is a junk drawer, watch this  ## Intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=0s) - A common issue people face is having a digital Notes app that has become a "junk drawer" filled with cluttered information [(00:00:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=3s). - This clutter often accumulates because it is easy to quickly save items that seem useful at the time, but later become disorganized [(00:00:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=8s). - The problem of digital clutter is partly due to the "collector's fallacy," a concept that will be explored in more detail [(00:00:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=17s). - To address this issue, three major components will be discussed to help build a better mindset about note-taking and avoid clutter in the future [(00:00:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=23s). - The goal is to provide a solution to the problem of digital clutter and help viewers improve their note-taking habits [(00:00:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=30s). ## The Collectors fallacy [(00:00:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=32s) - The collector's fallacy is an idea written about by Christian Titi on the [[Zettelkasten]] blog, which describes how knowledge workers tend to accumulate information without applying it, seeking intellectual stimulation and a sense of being on the cutting edge [(00:00:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=33s). - This fallacy involves gathering information because of a desire to know about something, but not actually knowing or applying it, as knowing something requires practical application and use of the information [(00:01:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=91s). - The collector's fallacy can hinder progress towards true excellence, as it involves merely collecting information without merging it into one's own knowledge or translating it into a personal understanding [(00:02:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=135s). - Christian Titi argues that until information is merged into one's own knowledge and understood in a personal context, it has not been truly learned [(00:02:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=144s). - The collector's fallacy can be overcome by shifting from collecting information to purposefully gathering and organizing it in a system that makes sense, allowing for the information to be applied and progress to be made [(00:03:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=183s). - Collectors who do not apply their knowledge do not make progress, and it is easy to fall into the trap of collecting information without doing anything with it or making progress [(00:02:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=171s). - To move past the collector's fallacy, it is necessary to translate and apply the information in a way that changes one's life, such as using it to write a research article, create content, or teach others [(00:01:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=110s). ## Purpose [(00:03:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=207s) - To build a mindset that helps avoid the collector's fallacy, three key elements are necessary: purpose, learning goals, and systems, with purpose being about how one approaches the learning process [(00:03:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=208s). - Purpose is about understanding why one is learning, whether it's to gather information, satiate intellectual curiosity, or achieve a specific goal [(00:03:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=213s). - Having a clear purpose helps to focus the learning process and retain information, as opposed to simply gathering information without a defined purpose [(00:03:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=237s). - An example of lacking a clear purpose is learning about writing a book without a specific goal in mind, resulting in most of the information being forgotten [(00:04:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=242s). - In contrast, having a clear purpose, such as learning marketing to fulfill a specific role, helps to retain information and create a useful system of notes that can be referenced repeatedly [(00:04:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=278s). - When learning with a clear purpose, one is more likely to take intentional steps, such as taking courses, reading articles, and watching videos, to achieve their goal [(00:04:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=286s). - A clear purpose also enables the creation of a cohesive system of notes that can be easily referenced and refreshed over time [(00:05:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=303s). ## Goals [(00:05:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=326s) - The concept of goals involves narrowing down a broad subject into a specific area of focus, allowing for intentional time to be spent learning it [(00:05:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=327s). - For example, learning to play the guitar can be broken down into more specific goals, such as playing acoustic or electric guitar, building a pedal board, developing tone and sound, or learning a fingerpicking style [(00:05:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=337s). - Having a broad idea to start with is acceptable, but it's essential to hone it down into a specific goal, such as learning to play more freely on the neck of an electric guitar [(00:05:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=358s). - To achieve this goal, one can spend intentional time gathering information, such as watching [[YouTube]] videos and reading articles, and creating notes to help walk towards the goal [(00:06:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=387s). - Having a specific goal makes it easier to organize information, as it can be grouped together and stored in a system, allowing for easy access and reference in the future [(00:06:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=414s). - A specific goal also enables the creation of a cluster of notes that can be grouped together, making it easier to find and use the information over time [(00:07:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=424s). ## Systems [(00:07:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=433s) - A system for learning involves the tools used, such as a notes app, the habits built, and the approach to note-taking and learning, all of which work together to combat collector's fallacy [(00:07:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=433s). - A key aspect of a system is spending intentional time every week working on learning, developing, and crafting notes, and integrating that knowledge into one's existing knowledge [(00:07:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=447s). - Christian Tii emphasizes the importance of having a strong purpose for learning, specific goals, and a system for learning to organize and integrate notes into practice [(00:07:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=461s). - A well-designed system enables individuals to spend intentional time regularly moving towards their goals and purpose [(00:08:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=482s). - A common trap to avoid in system building is over-engineering, which can slow down the learning process [(00:08:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=495s). - Over-engineering a note-taking system can be avoided by learning more about effective system building strategies [(00:08:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X2Kjn1FEr0&t=507s).