# My FULL Obsidian Zettelkasten Workflow in 10 minutes  ## Intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=0s) - This video is intended for individuals who want to create lifetime notes that aid in thinking and content creation [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=0s). - Most people take notes by passively copying or highlighting information they find interesting, but this approach has limitations [(00:00:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=5s). - Creating "smart notes" involves transforming someone else's thoughts into one's own, making the notes more valuable and personal [(00:00:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=11s). - As more smart notes are created, the system becomes increasingly useful, eventually turning into an "idea generation machine" [(00:00:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=19s). - The process of making smart notes is what sets them apart and makes them truly useful [(00:00:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=23s). ## Before We Start [(00:00:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=27s) - The workflow is based on the [[Zettelkasten]] methodology, which was created in the 1950s, but its execution has been adapted to utilize modern tools [(00:00:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=28s). - Although the underlying idea remains the same, the approach has been shaped by the capabilities of contemporary tools, such as [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] [(00:00:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=41s). - Obsidian is the tool used for this workflow, but other tools can be used as long as they allow linking between different notes [(00:00:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=45s). - This workflow is a personal approach and not the only way to implement the Zettelkasten methodology; the best approach is whatever works for the individual [(00:00:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=52s). - The explanation will include specialized terminology, but it is actually simple once understood [(00:01:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=61s). ## Fleeting Notes [(00:01:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=68s) - Fleeting notes are used to quickly capture thoughts and ideas, and they are intended to be deleted [(00:01:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=69s). - Fleeting notes are not used in the traditional sense, but rather as to-do's, and a separate video has been made to explain how ideas and thoughts are captured [(00:01:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=78s). - The focus of this video is on reference literature and permanent notes, each with their own individual characteristics [(00:01:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=88s). ## Reference Notes [(00:01:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=90s) - Reference notes are used to capture someone else's thoughts, such as direct quotes from a book, academic paper, or article, and should not include personal thoughts or opinions [(00:01:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=92s). - The purpose of reference notes is to aid in writing literature notes, which will be discussed in the next chapter [(00:01:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=109s). - There are various methods to import reference notes into [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], with options including Read Wise, [[Zotero]], or manual entry [(00:01:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=113s). - Read Wise is a paid service, but offers a free trial, and using a specific link can provide double the free trial period [(00:02:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=126s). - A free alternative to Read Wise is Zotero, which can also be used to capture and organize reference notes [(00:02:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=130s). - Many people stop at capturing reference notes and do not take further action, but this can be considered a waste of time as the information is not being utilized or built upon [(00:02:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=141s). - Failing to take further action with reference notes can result in a large collection of archived highlights that are rarely revisited or used to build knowledge [(00:02:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=151s). ## Literature Notes [(00:02:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=153s) - Literature notes are personal interpretations of an author's thoughts, written in one's own words, and there's no right or wrong way to write them as long as they're original [(00:02:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=158s). - Literature notes are created based on reference notes, which are highlights and quotes from a book, article, or academic paper [(00:02:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=160s). - The process of creating literature notes involves summarizing the main points of a book or article and writing down personal takeaways [(00:03:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=184s). - Literature notes can be tagged with specific keywords, such as "literature" and "medium," to help with organization and searching [(00:03:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=190s). - Keeping separate reference and literature notes allows for a more selective approach to highlighting and note-taking, making it easier to focus on the most important information [(00:03:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=212s). - Literature notes can include links to specific highlights or quotes in the reference note, making it easy to access the original context [(00:03:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=229s). - The act of summarizing and writing down personal takeaways forces critical thinking and reflection on the material [(00:04:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=262s). - Using predefined headers, such as "summary" and "my takeaways," can help structure literature notes and encourage deeper thinking [(00:04:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=265s). - Literature notes can be kept concise by focusing on the most important information and avoiding unnecessary details [(00:05:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=312s). - Creating literature notes can lead to the generation of new ideas, which can be linked to other notes and developed further [(00:05:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=335s). - The process of creating literature notes can serve as a starting point for creating permanent notes, which will be discussed in the next chapter [(00:05:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=349s). - Even if no further action is taken, creating literature notes is still a valuable learning process that sets one apart from others [(00:05:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=352s). ## Permanent Notes [(00:06:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=402s) - Permanent notes are fully formed notes that are independent of their original context and represent concepts and ideas, not reference notes or literature notes, which are someone else's thoughts or interpretations of someone else's thoughts [(00:06:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=403s). - Permanent notes can be created by taking ideas from literature notes and expanding on them, and they often link to multiple literature notes, making it easier to write them as the Vault grows [(00:07:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=421s). - The process of creating permanent notes is facilitated by the fact that multiple literature notes may link to the same idea, making it easier to write about it and reducing the feeling of starting from scratch [(00:07:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=451s). - Clusters of notes may form in the graph view as the Vault grows, and some of these clusters may be around notes that haven't been written yet, but have multiple links pointing to them [(00:07:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=469s). - When writing permanent notes, there is no right or wrong way, but some guidelines to follow include making them atomic (one note, one idea), short and concise, and easy to understand by anyone, even if they pull information from multiple literature notes [(00:08:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=489s). - Permanent notes should be directed towards an audience ignorant of the thoughts behind the text and unaware of the original context, and should be equipped with general knowledge of the field, as stated by Sönke Ahrens in his book [(00:08:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=522s). - It's also recommended to have at least one link in each permanent note, which adds real value to the system and turns it into a content creation machine, although this may not be possible when just starting out [(00:08:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=534s). ## Is there more to this? [(00:09:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=549s) - The current point in the workflow is considered the end goal, but for many people, there is an additional step in the process that involves writing published work, taking content from multiple permanent notes to create academic papers, books, or other published pieces [(00:09:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=550s). - The same permanent note can be used to help create several different published works [(00:09:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=566s). - The journey of creating a [[Zettelkasten]] workflow ends at this point for the individual, but others may choose to continue with the additional step of writing published work [(00:09:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=573s). ## Why bother? [(00:09:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=576s) - Creating a Zettelkasten workflow is beneficial even if one doesn't plan to publish work, as it allows notes and thoughts to compound over time, leading to new insights and connections [(00:09:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=576s). - This process helps individuals become better thinkers, which in turn makes them better speakers, as they can articulate their thoughts more effectively [(00:09:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=589s). - Being a good writer is a valuable skill that can be helpful in various pursuits and professions [(00:09:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=596s). - The workflow enables the capture and processing of ideas and thoughts, which can be further developed and refined in tools like [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] [(00:10:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRA_fwbdrtc&t=600s).