# When It Comes To Taking Notes, Here's What Really Matters (Organize Your Life) | Cal Newport ![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/4VS2usPLy0k/maxresdefault.jpg) ## What is note taking [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VS2usPLy0k&t=0s) - Note taking is defined as recording information in a written and durable format for future reference. [(00:01:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VS2usPLy0k&t=60s) - Three critical types of note taking systems are essential for [[Knowledge worker | knowledge workers]]: a working memory extender for temporarily holding information, an obligation tracker for managing tasks and deadlines, and a system for capturing key ideas and reflections related to work and life. [(00:01:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VS2usPLy0k&t=78s) - It is crucial to maintain separation between these note taking systems, utilizing different tools and refresh rates for each to avoid clutter and maintain clarity. [(00:05:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VS2usPLy0k&t=346s) ## Balancing hobbies and work [(00:06:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VS2usPLy0k&t=370s) - To find a balance between hobbies and work, it is suggested to approach the issue quantitatively by scheduling hobbies into a calendar and assessing if they fit into the available time without causing feelings of being overscheduled. [(00:06:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VS2usPLy0k&t=407s) - If the schedule feels overcrowded, it is recommended to adjust by reducing the number of hobbies, pursuing them seasonally, or slowing down the pace of learning to decrease their footprint on the schedule. [(00:08:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VS2usPLy0k&t=490s) - The key takeaway is to prioritize engagement in meaningful pursuits over the speed of skill development or the quantity of hobbies, ensuring a balance between personal and professional life. [(00:09:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VS2usPLy0k&t=576s) ## Studying and organizing [(00:09:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VS2usPLy0k&t=589s) - [[YouTube]] [[Content creation | content creators]] are incentivized to create content that generates views, which can lead to content that is more focused on appealing to algorithms than providing accurate and helpful advice. [(00:10:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VS2usPLy0k&t=636s) - Books, on the other hand, are incentivized to provide accurate and helpful advice because their success is largely dependent on word-of-mouth recommendations. [(00:11:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VS2usPLy0k&t=715s) - Podcasts, like books, are not as influenced by algorithms and rely more on word-of-mouth recommendations, making them a more reliable source of advice. [(00:14:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VS2usPLy0k&t=896s)