Every academic takes notes.
But few know how to convert their notes into an endless source of ideas.
7 rules to follow:
π
But few know how to convert their notes into an endless source of ideas.
7 rules to follow:
π
1. Link promiscuously π
When I did Improv theater a popular exercise to create a novel scene was called "A to C".
I say "potato" (A) β "food" (B) β "Dinner" (C) ...
In my Masters I used speech recognition (A) methods to compare pottery shards (C).
It starts with links.
When I did Improv theater a popular exercise to create a novel scene was called "A to C".
I say "potato" (A) β "food" (B) β "Dinner" (C) ...
In my Masters I used speech recognition (A) methods to compare pottery shards (C).
It starts with links.
2. Plant new notes into the soil of existing knowledge π±
When you make a note, take some time to think what it relates to and link.
No time? Add a few tags to it. They will be the roots that connect your notes.
Without roots, notes are blown away by the winds of oblivion.
When you make a note, take some time to think what it relates to and link.
No time? Add a few tags to it. They will be the roots that connect your notes.
Without roots, notes are blown away by the winds of oblivion.
3. Notes are meditations on the thinking process π§ββοΈ
Most of our knowledge is subconscious. We aren't aware of it.
Meditate to allow the shy subconscious to express.
Just document your thinking process - no goal in mind.
Ideas appear by themselves. We call it: Intuition.
Most of our knowledge is subconscious. We aren't aware of it.
Meditate to allow the shy subconscious to express.
Just document your thinking process - no goal in mind.
Ideas appear by themselves. We call it: Intuition.
4. Don't highlight - connect ποΈ
Highlighting is another form of procrastination.
A 2013 study found:
"Most students report rereading and highlighting, yet these techniques do not consistently boost studentsβ performance [...]"
βΊ buff.ly
Highlighting is another form of procrastination.
A 2013 study found:
"Most students report rereading and highlighting, yet these techniques do not consistently boost studentsβ performance [...]"
βΊ buff.ly
5. Don't build - evolve πΈ
The perfect system for your notes does not exist.
I personally started with a messy Evernote went on to use a monolithic Notion and moved to a linked Obsidian. And after ~12 vaults I am still experimenting...
Experiment, Do, Undo, Redo.
The perfect system for your notes does not exist.
I personally started with a messy Evernote went on to use a monolithic Notion and moved to a linked Obsidian. And after ~12 vaults I am still experimenting...
Experiment, Do, Undo, Redo.
6. A good craftsman never blames their tools π οΈ
New tools promise to solve your issues. But "Tool Envy" is just marketing.
For a decade I gifted my dad elaborate kitchen tools on Christmas: Orange peeler, herb grinder...
All but one are gone: A sharp knife.
@obsdmd is mine.
New tools promise to solve your issues. But "Tool Envy" is just marketing.
For a decade I gifted my dad elaborate kitchen tools on Christmas: Orange peeler, herb grinder...
All but one are gone: A sharp knife.
@obsdmd is mine.
@obsdmd 7. Balance your self-expression ratio βοΈ
The ratio of your own words to annotations from sources.
Too many annotations = no novel insight
Too many own words = repeat other's mistakes
I once spent 3 days developing an algorithm only to discover a better version from 1988!
The ratio of your own words to annotations from sources.
Too many annotations = no novel insight
Too many own words = repeat other's mistakes
I once spent 3 days developing an algorithm only to discover a better version from 1988!
@obsdmd These rules are my best-practices for "gardening the mind".
Ideas are flowers in the garden of our subconscious. But they won't blossom unless we take care of it.
This requires patience and a few guidelines.
The magic of creation though, happens by itself - Trust the process.
Ideas are flowers in the garden of our subconscious. But they won't blossom unless we take care of it.
This requires patience and a few guidelines.
The magic of creation though, happens by itself - Trust the process.
@obsdmd @MushtaqBilalPhD and I are developing a course for academics to leverage note taking for creativity and success with @obsdmd and @zotero.
If you like to learn more, make sure to follow us and sign up for the newsletters.
Links in profiles.
If you like to learn more, make sure to follow us and sign up for the newsletters.
Links in profiles.
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