# I ditched Obsidian and found a BETTER Note-Taking and PKM App! ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TYQgZE2M5N0/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Introduction to PKM Tools for Professionals vs. Knowledge Workers [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=0s) - Busy professionals, such as business owners, team leaders, or project managers, have limited time and cannot afford to waste it, making every minute of their day valuable [(00:00:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=7s). - In contrast, knowledge workers have the luxury of experimenting with tools, spending hours customizing their setup, and exploring every feature of a productivity app [(00:00:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=15s). - Both busy professionals and knowledge workers need to manage their information and be productive, but their approaches to achieving these goals differ significantly [(00:00:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=31s). - This difference in approach is crucial in understanding why certain tools, such as [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], may be more suitable for knowledge workers but less effective for busy professionals [(00:00:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=43s). - Understanding the distinction between the needs of busy professionals and knowledge workers is essential in finding the right tool for managing information and boosting productivity [(00:00:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=38s). ## Why Obsidian May Not Be Ideal for Busy Professionals [(00:00:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=50s) - The best [[Personal knowledge management | Personal Knowledge Management]] (PKM) tool is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather depends on the individual's use case and needs [(00:00:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=51s). - Knowledge workers who enjoy learning for its own sake may enjoy spending time customizing and optimizing their PKM tools, but busy professionals do not have the luxury of time to do so [(00:01:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=73s). - Busy professionals need a PKM tool that works out of the box, allowing them to focus on outcomes and high-priority tasks rather than setting up the perfect note-taking system [(00:01:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=101s). - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] is a highly customizable PKM tool that offers a wide range of plugins and features, but this level of customization comes at the cost of time and can be overwhelming for busy professionals [(00:02:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=124s). - The flexibility of Obsidian can lead to a paradox of choice, where users spend more time setting up and tweaking their system than actually using it to get work done [(00:03:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=182s). - For busy professionals, the constant need to update and troubleshoot their Obsidian setup can be a burden, and their tools should serve them, not the other way around [(00:02:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=173s). - The ideal [[Personal knowledge management | PKM]] tool for busy professionals should prioritize ease of use and efficiency, allowing them to focus on their work rather than the tool itself [(00:03:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=217s). ## The Time Sink of Customization [(00:03:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=218s) - Even if a user manages to perfectly customize their note-taking system, they may still be tied to that system and face issues if a key plug-in developer stops maintaining their code or if an update breaks their workflow [(00:03:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=220s). - Files stored locally as markdown may not be easily transferable to other platforms without major headaches, which can be a problem for busy professionals [(00:03:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=238s). - What busy professionals need is a tool that allows them to capture, organize, and leverage information quickly without getting lost in the details [(00:04:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=251s). - Most personal knowledge manager ([[Personal knowledge management | PKM]]) tools, including [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], are great at organizing information but are not designed to help users execute on it [(00:04:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=269s). - A system that helps users move forward and take action is necessary, rather than just collecting ideas [(00:04:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=280s). - A different approach to PKM is to combine tools that each do their job well, such as using a combination of Readwise, Reader, Tana, and Heab Base for personal Knowledge Management [(00:04:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=294s). - Readwise is used as the go-to tool for capturing information from the web, articles, and research, helping users stay on top of important content without feeling overwhelmed [(00:05:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=308s). ## Our Recommended PKM Tool Stack: Readwise Reader, Tana, and Heptabase [(00:05:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=319s) - Tana is used for handling quick, shallow thinking, daily meeting notes, and quick notes, as well as organizing day-to-day information without getting bogged down in too many details, and it also serves as a personal CRM [(00:05:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=320s). - Heptabase is utilized for deep thinking and visual organization, allowing users to figure out complex problems or expand on a topic of interest over time, with features like expandable whiteboards that provide control and organization [(00:05:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=337s). - Heptabase's visual organization capabilities are considered superior to Obsidian's canvas, providing a more effective way to visualize notes [(00:05:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=358s). - Each of the three tools - Readwise Reader, Tana, and Heptabase - has its own role, and together they form a well-rounded system for managing both shallow and deep knowledge without unnecessary setup [(00:06:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=369s). - If only one tool had to be recommended for busy professionals, Heptabase would be the choice, as it is built for professionals who need results without overhead, designed for deep work and big picture thinking, with a clean and intuitive interface and minimal setup time [(00:06:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=384s). - Heptabase allows users to jump in and start organizing their thoughts, moving forward on projects without needing to spend hours configuring the tool, and it is not alone in this conclusion [(00:06:45)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=405s). ## Why Heptabase is Perfect for Busy Professionals [(00:07:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=420s) - Heptabase helps busy professionals focus on what matters, cuts through the noise, and gets them to the results they need faster, as reported by members who have switched from [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] or other complex tools [(00:07:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=420s). - Recommendations are based on over a decade of real-world testing, feedback from the community, and actual business use cases, rather than sponsorships or payments [(00:07:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=444s). - Context is key when choosing a tool, and what works for someone else may not work for another person, so it's essential to understand individual needs before selecting a tool [(00:07:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=460s). - Obsidian might not be the best choice for busy professionals who value time, as its flexibility comes with a steep cost in time and effort [(00:07:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=475s). - Heptabase is worth considering for those who need a tool that helps them take action on their knowledge without getting bogged down in setup [(00:08:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=489s). - No single tool is a magic bullet, and it's about finding the right combination of tools that fit a unique workflow [(00:08:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=492s). - The IO methodology focuses on understanding individual needs first and then guiding users to the right tools that get results, using tool-agnostic concepts and workflows [(00:08:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=501s). - The IO framework differentiates between core applications, satellite applications, and utility apps, helping users figure out their tool environment [(00:08:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYQgZE2M5N0&t=535s).