# Zettelkasten Smart Notes: Step by Step with Obsidian  ## Introduction [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=0s) - This video will demonstrate how to apply the [[Zettelkasten]] method in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] [(00:00:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=2s). - The Zettelkasten method was previously covered in an overview video that discussed its components [(00:00:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=7s). - The components of the Zettelkasten include fleeting notes, literature notes, and permanent notes [(00:00:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=11s). - These components are linked together to facilitate the creation of new ideas, thoughts, and connections, as well as to ask questions against the slip box [(00:00:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=15s). - The goal of the Zettelkasten method is to enable users to generate new ideas, thoughts, and connections [(00:00:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=17s). ## Setting up Obsidian [(00:00:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=25s) - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] is a markdown editor that allows users to connect notes together in linked thoughts, and it is a file system-based application where notes are stored in markdown and can be organized in a structure using tags and links, and notes can be embedded in others [(00:00:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=27s). - A new Obsidian vault is set up to assemble a [[Zettelkasten]] system, which involves creating folders for different types of notes, including fleeting notes, literature notes, and permanent notes [(00:00:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=55s). - Fleeting notes are used to store ideas, capture things of interest from the web, and record quick ideas about things [(00:01:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=71s). - Literature notes are used to store thoughts and ideas from consumed materials such as videos, and to think more creatively about what they mean [(00:01:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=81s). - Permanent notes are stored in the slip box, linked together, and used as a source of information to gain better understanding, pose new insights or questions, and create content such as blog posts [(00:01:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=96s). - Permanent notes are used to ask questions against to gain a better understanding of a topic [(00:01:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=103s). ## Smart Note Templates [(00:01:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=118s) - To use templates in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], the Templates Core Plugin needs to be enabled in the settings, allowing for the creation of a template folder to store note templates [(00:01:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=118s). - A folder for templates is nominated, and in this case, a new folder called "templates" is created to store the templates [(00:02:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=132s). - The Templates Core Plugin enables the quick creation of fleeting notes and permanent notes using the templates stored in the nominated folder [(00:02:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=147s). - A note template is created in the templates folder, which includes a title using markdown title notation, metadata for creation date, a section for references, and space for note details [(00:02:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=157s). - The note template can be used to insert a pre-formatted template when creating a new note, filling out the title, date, and time based on the file name of the new note [(00:03:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=195s). - A second template called "Map of Content" (MOC) is created, which includes a title and a numbered list to outline various topics for a given theme in the notes [(00:03:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=210s). ## Example article: My Product is My Garden [(00:03:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=227s) - A new fleeting note is created as an example, inspired by an article titled "My Product is My Garden" [(00:03:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=227s). - The article discusses how creating a product doesn't require a huge endeavor, massive investment, or raising money [(00:03:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=235s). - It suggests that having a project or product can be similar to gardening, where one works on it over time for personal fulfillment [(00:04:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=247s). - The article's concept is applied to the context of a bootstrapped founder, who creates and nurtures a project or product independently [(00:04:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=257s). - The article "My Product is My Garden" serves as the basis for creating fleeting notes in this example [(00:04:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=261s). ## Fleeting Notes [(00:04:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=264s) - A fleeting note is created with the title "my product is my garden" and the note template is inserted to fill in the details [(00:04:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=270s). - The original URL is added as a reference in the fleeting note to track the source of the information [(00:04:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=286s). - The article is read, and quick snippets or highlights are captured and added to the fleeting note [(00:04:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=292s). - The purpose of creating a fleeting note is to summarize the relevant parts of the original article, making it unnecessary to reference the entire article [(00:05:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=317s). - The fleeting note serves as a summary of the important points, allowing for a quick review of the relevant information [(00:05:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=319s). - The next step after creating a fleeting note is to take the information through to literature notes [(00:05:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=301s). ## Literature Notes [(00:05:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=323s) - To create a literature note, a template note is inserted, and the view is split vertically to have the original version on one side and individual thinking on the other side, allowing for highlighting and note-taking on specific points [(00:05:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=336s). - The literature note encompasses key points from the original text, such as entrepreneurs facing challenges in building a business, the pressure to do things fast, and the importance of challenging the status quo [(00:06:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=363s). - The literature note also covers the "my product is my garden" approach, which gives permission to think more slowly about startup creation, and emphasizes doing things in small parts over time, enjoying the process, and mastering smaller details [(00:06:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=387s). - With the literature note complete, a collection of permanent notes is created to embody the gained knowledge, and these notes are linked together [(00:06:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=407s). - A map of content is created to outline the areas of content based on what has been learned, and this map serves as an entry point to topics around a specific subject, in this case, "bootstrapping a startup" [(00:07:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=446s). - The map of content is created using a new template and is used to outline the areas that need to be encapsulated, allowing for the addition, updating, or insertion of information over time [(00:07:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=457s). ## Map of Content (MoC) [(00:07:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=466s) - To create a new note in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], it's necessary to change the default location for new notes to the same folder as the current file, which allows for creating sibling links in the same folder [(00:08:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=497s). - This setting can be changed in the Obsidian settings under "Files and Links" by selecting the option "Same folder as current file" [(00:08:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=493s). - With this setting, new notes can be created by command or control clicking, and a template can be inserted to fill out the note [(00:08:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=512s). - When creating permanent notes, it's helpful to reference literature notes to complete information and add context to the permanent notes [(00:08:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=530s). - New notes can be created for related topics, such as "What are the benefits of bootstrapping," and linked to the original note to maintain traceability [(00:09:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=550s). - References can be added to notes using double brackets and linking to the original literature note or fleeting note to maintain a record of where ideas came from [(00:09:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=572s). - Backlinks can be used to see how notes are connected and to navigate between related notes [(00:10:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=613s). - The Map of Content (MoC) can be updated by adding new notes and linking them to related topics, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of a subject [(00:10:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=625s). ## Permanent Notes [(00:10:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=652s) - The process of creating permanent notes involves taking information from literature notes and filling out the details gained from the source material, such as skills required to bootstrap a startup [(00:11:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=660s). - Permanent notes should encapsulate key points from the source material, such as bootstrapping and the skills required, and include a reference to the literature note for full traceability [(00:11:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=673s). - The goals of bootstrapping and startup include becoming profitable to support the business full-time and delivering incremental value to gain new users [(00:11:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=691s). - The point of a bootstrapping business is to grow slowly but consistently, and permanent notes help to create a map of content around a topic, such as bootstrapping a startup [(00:11:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=710s). - Fleeting notes can come from any source, including articles, [[YouTube]] videos, or books, and are used to take extracts or highlights from the source material [(00:12:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=722s). - Literature notes are used to think more holistically about the highlights from fleeting notes, adding insight and context to the information [(00:12:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=734s). - Permanent notes are created by layering literature notes into relevant places within a slip box, allowing for linking and connection between different ideas [(00:12:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=748s). - The process of creating permanent notes involves moving from fleeting notes to literature notes to permanent notes, with each step adding more context and insight to the information [(00:12:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=750s). ## Graph View [(00:12:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=757s) - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] allows users to view an open graph of their created content, providing a visual representation of the relationships between different topics [(00:12:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=758s). - The graph view is useful for identifying how various topics relate to one another and for detecting potential gaps or an overabundance of links from a specific area [(00:12:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=763s). - Having too many links from a particular area can dilute the ability to derive meaningful insights from those links [(00:12:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=772s). ## Writing a Blog Post From Your Notes [(00:12:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=779s) - To utilize the knowledge gained from the [[Zettelkasten]] method, a new folder called "projects" can be created to store projects such as blog posts or [[YouTube]] video scripts that draw inspiration from permanent notes, allowing for a more structured writing process [(00:13:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=780s). - Within the "projects" folder, a new blog post can be created with a specific title, such as "Bootstrapping a Startup," and an outline of the various parts of the blog post can be developed, including the definition, benefits, drawbacks, tips, and conclusion [(00:13:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=807s). - The outline can be further structured by linking relevant articles from the permanent notes, such as "What is Bootstrapping," to provide more information and inspiration for the blog post [(00:14:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=845s). - Areas that require more research or information can be identified, such as the types of people who can bootstrap a startup or the drawbacks of bootstrapping, and added to the permanent notes for future reference [(00:14:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=858s). - The benefits of bootstrapping can be linked to a relevant article, and tips can be covered by discussing the skills required for successful bootstrapping [(00:14:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=872s). - The conclusion of the blog post can summarize the main points discussed, providing a comprehensive overview of the topic [(00:14:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=887s). ## Preview Notes in Blog Drafts [(00:14:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=895s) - In [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], adding an exclamation mark in front of links allows users to preview the content of the linked notes when in preview mode, making it easier to reference notes while building out a main article [(00:14:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=899s). - This feature enables users to split their view, having the preview on one side and the editing panel on the other, allowing for simultaneous review and editing of inline content [(00:15:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=918s). - An example of using this feature is when writing a first draft of a blog post, such as introducing the topic of bootstrapping as a startup where a business is fully self-funded, often created by founders in their spare time [(00:15:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=931s). - When writing an article, users can create drafts in Obsidian and use the exclamation mark feature to preview linked notes, and later remove the exclamation marks to clean up the draft and view individual sections of the writing [(00:15:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=958s). - The exclamation mark feature is useful for referencing notes while writing, and removing the marks helps to finalize the draft by hiding the linked notes and showing only the individual sections of the writing [(00:16:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=960s). ## Smart Notes Conclusion [(00:16:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=970s) - The [[Zettelkasten]] method involves taking fleeting notes, literature notes, and linking them together with permanent notes to create projects and explore insights [(00:16:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=971s). - This method allows users to ask questions about their slip box and utilize the insights gained to create various creative outputs, such as blog posts, [[YouTube]] videos, and other writing-based projects [(00:16:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=980s). - One of the main benefits of the Zettelkasten method is that it enables users to test their understanding by writing it down, which helps to identify links and gaps in their understanding [(00:16:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=994s). - By using the Zettelkasten method, users can find the areas where they need to create more connections and develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter [(00:16:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=1002s). ## Flowtelic [(00:16:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=1007s) - A note-taking app called Flowtelic is being developed to help users study, learn, think, write, and publish with maximum efficiency and consistency, incorporating ideas from the [[Zettelkasten]] method and note-taking in general [(00:17:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=1021s). - The app aims to improve workflow consistency and help users build up their slip box over time, allowing them to create study notes, organize ideas, and track projects, books, and people [(00:17:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=1043s). - Flowtelic's workflow will be completely configurable, and it will feature a focus mode where users can work on small tasks daily and compound their knowledge over time [(00:17:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=1057s). - The app's goal is to help users create consistent study sessions, organize ideas and notes, and work on projects, ultimately leading to creating work, blogging, and publishing [(00:18:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=1081s). - Flowtelic is designed to help users build their own audience around their favorite topics, find their tribe, and improve their note-taking and understanding [(00:18:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=1100s). - The app is currently in open beta, and users can join the waitlist at join.flowtelic.com to try it out immediately [(00:18:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=1111s). - Flowtelic is a bootstrap business, and it is expected to improve over time as it grows and develops [(00:18:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziE6UExsOrs&t=1121s).