小心效率陷阱：為什麼你不需要"第二大腦"或者"個人知識庫"？

Summary

This video script challenges common misconceptions about the 'Second Brain' concept from Tiago Forte's book 'Building a Second Brain.' It critiques the widespread belief that this system is primarily a storage for indiscriminate information gathering. Instead, the script emphasizes 'output determines input,' advocating for a purpose-driven approach to productivity where notes are geared towards actionable projects. The discussion covers the pitfalls of complex note-taking systems and suggests a minimalist, project-focused method that aligns with true productivity, urging viewers to prioritize action over passive collection.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The 'Second Brain' concept, as defined by Tiago Forte, is a digital note-taking system designed to enhance productivity, not just a storage system for information.
• ❌ Many people misunderstand the 'Second Brain' as a tool for remembering everything, which can lead to a focus on input rather than actionable output.
• ⚙️ The core of productivity is 'output determines input', not the other way around, which is a counterintuitive approach to the concept of productivity.
• 📝 The value of the 'Second Brain' lies in its emphasis on 'Actionability', meaning notes should serve specific outputs or actions, such as solutions or projects.
• 🏆 The 'CODE' system (Capture, Organize, Distill, Express) is a note-taking process that aligns with the 'output determines input' philosophy.
• 🧐 Feynman's 'Twelve Favorite Problems' method is recommended for filtering information based on its ability to help solve pressing problems.
• 📁 The PARA structure (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives) is introduced for organizing information, but the speaker has reservations about its complexity.
• 🏃‍♂️ 'Sprint' and 'Slow Burn' projects are two types of projects; the former are intensive and time-limited, while the latter are long-term and evolve over time.
• 🚫 Storing information without a clear project or goal is likened to hoarding, and such a 'personal knowledge base' is considered a pseudo-need.
• 🔍 The author criticizes the book's pursuit of a comprehensive concept, which may complicate the note-taking process and detract from its core idea.
• 📋 The speaker proposes a 'Minimalist Note-taking Rule', suggesting two types of note systems: one for miscellaneous notes and another for project-specific notes.
• ⚖️ Principles are more important than tools when it comes to productivity, and individuals should choose methods that best fit their needs and output goals.

Q & A

What is the 'Second Brain' concept?

The 'Second Brain' is a digital note-taking system that serves as a method to enhance personal productivity. It is not just about storing information but is focused on 'output determines input,' meaning that the system is designed to support specific outputs or actions, such as projects.

Why might people misunderstand the 'Second Brain' concept?

People might misunderstand the 'Second Brain' concept because some interpretations focus on it being a 'storage' system for remembering everything, which is not the essence of the concept. The misunderstanding often leads to an 'input determines output' logic, which is counterintuitive to the actual purpose of the 'Second Brain'.

What is the significance of 'output determines input' in the context of productivity?

'Output determines input' signifies that productivity is about setting an output goal, inputting information purposefully to achieve that goal, and then producing the desired outcome. It emphasizes the importance of focusing on the end result rather than just collecting information.

What is the CODE note-taking process?

The CODE note-taking process is an acronym that stands for Capture, Organize, Distill, and Express. It is a method to gather, organize, digest, and use information to assist in output creation, adhering to the 'output determines input' principle.

What is the PARA note structure?

The PARA note structure stands for Project, Area, Resource, and Archive. It is a system introduced to organize information around 'actionability', with each component serving a specific purpose in relation to projects and long-term responsibilities.

Why does the author recommend against relying too much on productivity tools and methods recommended by YouTubers?

The author recommends against relying too much on such recommendations because the tools or methods that work best for YouTubers might not suit everyone's unique needs and types of output. It's important to define your own 'box' or system and adapt tools and methods to fit your personal productivity style.

What is the minimalist note-taking rule proposed by the author?

The minimalist note-taking rule proposed by the author involves having two types of note systems: one for jotting down miscellaneous things, which doesn't need to be complex, and another, called 'Project Box Notes', which is solely for aiding in output creation and is simplified from the book author's 'Second Brain' using CODE and PARA.

What is the difference between a 'Sprint' project and a 'Slow Burn' project?

A 'Sprint' project is one that requires intensive focus and completion in a short period, similar to a sprint in a race. A 'Slow Burn' project, on the other hand, is one that is in a dormant gestation period, where information and inspiration are gathered over time before being turned into a Sprint project for focused completion.

How does the author suggest using the 'Twelve Favorite Problems' method by Nobel Prize winner Feynman?

The author suggests using Feynman's method by always keeping the 12 most pressing problems in mind, which are usually in a dormant state. Whenever new information is encountered, it is compared with these problems to see if it can help solve them, thus filtering information based on its 'actionability'.

Why does the author believe that the term 'The Second Brain' might be misleading?

The author believes the term 'The Second Brain' might be misleading because it can easily make one think of it as a memory tool rather than emphasizing the action and method of project management that the book discusses.

What is the author's view on the importance of defining clear output goals before collecting and organizing information?

The author emphasizes that defining clear output goals is crucial before collecting and organizing information. This approach ensures that the collected information is purposeful and contributes to the achievement of specific outputs or actions, adhering to the principle of 'output determines input'.

How does the author suggest simplifying the process of note-taking and project management?

The author suggests simplifying the process by using a minimalist approach with two types of note systems, focusing on principles over tools, and ensuring that the structure of capture tools and project management software is streamlined to reduce complexity and encourage efficient information organization.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 The Misconception of 'Building a Second Brain'

The video aims to clarify the common misunderstandings surrounding the concept of a 'Second Brain', which is essentially a digital note-taking system. The author criticizes the notion that the 'Second Brain' is merely a storage system for remembering everything and emphasizes the true essence of productivity, which is 'output determines input'. The video discusses the importance of 'actionability' in notes, meaning that notes should serve specific outputs or actions, such as solutions or creative works. It also touches upon the author's personal views on the PARA structure and the CODE note-taking process, suggesting a more minimalist approach to note-taking.

05:02

📚 The 'Project Box' Method and Its Relevance to Note-Taking

This paragraph introduces the 'Project Box' method inspired by a famous choreographer, which is a simplified and focused approach to managing notes and information. The author differentiates between 'Sprint' and 'Slow Burn' projects, explaining that the former requires intensive focus and completion, while the latter is a long-term, dormant project that accumulates information over time. The paragraph also addresses the misconception of 'store now, use in the future' by emphasizing the need for a clear output goal when collecting and organizing information. The importance of digesting and absorbing notes for output is highlighted, as well as the author's critique of the book's complexity and the 'wanting both' mentality that complicates the core idea.

10:06

📝 Minimalist Note-Taking Rule: Simplifying the 'Second Brain'

The speaker proposes a minimalist note-taking rule based on the core principles of the book and their personal creative experience. They suggest that everyone needs two types of note systems: one for miscellaneous jottings and another for project-specific notes, referred to as 'Project Box Notes'. The minimalist approach, named PC(O), focuses on projects (P) and emphasizes capturing (C) information related to those projects. The 'organize' step is put in parentheses to signify that it should be minimized to avoid cumbersome categorization. The speaker advises using simple and fast tools that suit individual needs and warns against blindly following productivity experts' recommendations. They conclude by stressing the importance of defining one's own 'box' and becoming a creator, rather than just a collector of notes.

Keywords

💡Building a Second Brain

Building a Second Brain is a concept introduced by Tiago Forte in his book of the same name. It refers to creating a digital note-taking system that serves as a personal knowledge base. In the video, the speaker clarifies that it is not merely about storing information but rather about making notes actionable to produce specific outputs or actions. The concept is central to the video's theme of personal productivity and note-taking.

💡Productivity Trap

The productivity trap is a situation where individuals become overly focused on acquiring tools and systems for productivity, often at the expense of actual productivity. The video discusses how the misinterpretation of the 'Second Brain' concept can lead people into this trap, spending excessive time and money on tools instead of focusing on the actual creation and output, which is the essence of productivity.

💡Actionability

Actionability refers to the quality of being actionable, or capable of being acted upon. In the context of the video, it is the core principle behind the 'Second Brain' concept, where notes are not just collected but are used to drive specific outputs or actions. The video emphasizes that the value of notes lies in their ability to contribute to projects and tasks, aligning with the concept of 'output determines input'.

💡CODE System

The CODE system is an acronym for a note-taking process described in the book 'Building a Second Brain'. It stands for Capture, Organize, Distill, and Express. The video explains that this system is designed to make notes actionable and directly related to projects or tasks. Each phase of CODE is intended to bring the user closer to the output, emphasizing the importance of purposeful input and organized information.

💡PARA Structure

PARA is a structure for organizing notes and information around projects. It stands for Project, Area, Resource, and Archive. The video discusses how this structure is meant to revolve around actionability, with each category serving a specific purpose in relation to projects. However, the speaker also shares personal reservations about the complexity of the PARA structure, suggesting a preference for a more streamlined approach.

💡Output Determines Input

The phrase 'output determines input' is a core concept in the video that challenges the common misconception of 'input determines output'. It means that the desired outcome or goal should guide the collection and organization of information, rather than amassing information with the hope it will lead to productivity. This concept is fundamental to the speaker's interpretation of the 'Second Brain' and is used to correct misunderstandings about personal knowledge management.

💡Project Management

Project management is the process of planning, organizing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals. In the video, it is highlighted as a key aspect of the 'Second Brain' concept, where notes and information are organized around projects to enhance productivity. The speaker suggests that the PARA structure is essentially a project management tool, emphasizing the need for a clear focus on outputs and actions.

💡Minimalist Note-taking Rule

The minimalist note-taking rule is a simplified approach to note-taking proposed by the speaker, based on their personal experience and the core principles of the 'Second Brain'. It involves having two types of note systems: one for miscellaneous jottings and another specifically for project-related notes. This rule aims to reduce complexity and make note-taking more efficient by focusing on the essential elements that drive action and output.

💡Sprint Project vs. Slow Burn Project

The video differentiates between two types of projects: 'Sprint' projects, which are intensive and require focused, short-term effort, and 'Slow Burn' projects, which are long-term and develop gradually over time. This distinction is important for understanding how information should be collected and organized within the 'Second Brain' framework, with the focus on aligning notes with the nature and timeline of the project.

💡Project Box Notes

Project Box Notes is a simplified note-taking approach inspired by the method of a famous choreographer, where each project has a dedicated 'box' or space for storing all related notes and information. The video suggests that this method aligns with the 'Second Brain' concept by providing a clear and focused destination for each piece of information, directly related to a specific project and its output.

💡Creator

A creator, in the context of the video, is someone who produces value through the creation of content, solutions, or other outputs. The speaker emphasizes the importance of defining one's own 'box' or area of creation and focusing on the process of creating rather than just collecting information. The concept of being a creator is central to the video's message about the true purpose of note-taking and personal productivity.

Highlights

The 'Second Brain' concept, popularized by Tiago Forte's book, is often misunderstood as a personal knowledge base for storing information.

The true essence of the 'Second Brain' is about 'output determines input', focusing on actionable notes that serve specific projects or outputs.

The term 'Second Brain' can be misleading, as it suggests a memory tool rather than emphasizing action and method.

Building a 'Second Brain' involves a digital note-taking system designed to enhance personal productivity through structured output goals.

The 'CODE' note-taking process (Capture, Organize, Distill, Express) is a key component of the 'Second Brain' methodology.

The 'PARA' structure (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives) is used to organize notes around actionability and specific outputs.

The author criticizes the 'input determines output' logic, arguing that it goes against the core principle of productivity.

Productivity is defined by 'productive activity' - setting an output goal, inputting purposefully, and achieving the output.

The 'Second Brain' is not just about remembering everything, but rather using notes to assist in creating outputs like solutions, articles, or courses.

Feynman's 'Twelve Favorite Problems' method is recommended for filtering information based on its ability to help solve pressing problems.

The author argues that the most efficient way to input information is to find a 'home' for it within a specific project.

Sprint projects are those you are currently focusing on and need to complete intensively, while slow burn projects are in a 'dormant gestation period'.

The author criticizes the book's pursuit of a 'comprehensive concept', which makes the content complex and loses focus on the core idea.

The author proposes a 'Minimalist Note-taking Rule' with two types of note systems - a general notebook for miscellaneous notes, and 'Project Box Notes' for output-focused notes.

Principles are more important than tools - individuals should choose software and techniques that suit their unique needs and types of output.

The author cautions viewers to take inspiration from productivity experts' recommendations rather than blindly imitating them.

Creating value and becoming a 'creator' is more important than the tools used for note-taking or project management.

The author emphasizes that 'taking notes' and 'creating' are two distinct processes - the former is easy, while the latter is hard and requires courage, execution, and long-term accumulation.

Transcripts

If you care about personal productivity,

you must have heard of the concept of "Building a Second Brain".

But what I want to say is,

many people might have misunderstood the "Second Brain" concept.

The "Second Brain" built based on these misunderstandings

will not enhance your productivity.

You also don't need a so-called "personal knowledge base".

So in today's video,

I want to discuss the biggest misconception about the "Second Brain".

What the real essence of the "Second Brain" is,

the "minimalistic note-taking" rules I've derived from it,

and why you should be wary of YouTube productivity bloggers, including me.

The term "Second Brain" comes from Tiago Forte's book

"Building a Second Brain".

According to the author's definition,

building a second brain is a method,

simply put, the "Second Brain" is a digital note-taking system.

Yes, it's about note-taking.

Regarding this book,

I have a love-hate relationship.

I like it because some concepts in it genuinely helped me,

but I dislike its name and some content

because they led many people to misinterpret the book's meaning of the "Second Brain",

becoming obsessed with the so-called "high productivity",

spending lots of money and time on tools,

and falling into the "productivity trap".

Many videos about the "Second Brain" have titles like

"How I Remember Everything".

This gives the impression:

The "Second Brain" is a "storage" system that helps you "record everything",

and many people think,

the "Second Brain" offers a promise of "store now,

use in the future".

If you now build a so-called "personal knowledge base",

Storing all the useful articles, videos,

podcasts,

and book summaries you've read,

so that when you need them in the future,

you can find them and increase productivity.

The above two interpretations of the "Second Brain"

are based on a flawed underlying logic,

which is "input determines output".

As long as you have enough input quality and quantity,

you will generate ideas and be productive,

leading to "output".

While this logic sounds reasonable,

it's very counterintuitive and goes against the essence of "productivity".

It's not how the author defines the "Second Brain" in the book.

So, why is that?

Next, I will try to correct this misunderstanding

and help you understand the core value of this book.

Many people might think that the essence of this book

lies in the CODE system and the PARA note structure,

but personally, I believe,

its real value is in the author's emphasis on "Actionability",

or "Operability".

Simply put,

your notes serve specific outputs or actions,

this output can be a solution,

article, book, video, course, music,

podcast, software, learning,

or even a travel plan.

All these can be summed up with one word,

that is, "Project".

The real core of the "Second Brain" is "output determines input",

not what many people think, which is "input determines output".

This is actually related to the very definition of "productivity",

The English word for productivity or productivity is "Productivity",

the root word is "produce", meaning to produce.

Thus, to measure "productivity",

you must first have "productive activity".

This means first setting an output goal,

then inputting purposefully,

and finally achieving the output.

So, it's "output determines input".

The secret to improving productivity lies in focusing on "output",

rather than expecting results to emerge automatically from collected information.

This is reflected in all aspects of the author's "Second Brain".

Let's start with the author's "CODE" note-taking process.

It's an acronym:

C- Capture, gather information;

O- Organization, organize the information;

D- Distill, digest the information;

E- Express, use information to assist in output creation;

So, in the Capture phase,

what information should we gather?

The author recommends the Nobel Prize winner,

Feynman's "Twelve Favorite Problems" method.

When asked how he excelled in multiple fields,

Feynman explained,

"You must always keep the 12 most pressing problems in your mind,

most of the time these problems are in a "dormant state".

Whenever you get new information,

you compare it with these problems one by one,

to see if it can help you solve them.

Over time,

you will eventually encounter new information that helps you tackle a major challenge.

Feynman believes that the criterion for information filtering is these important "questions".

The ability to help solve a problem is the information's "actionability",

but you need to have questions first to filter,

this is "output determines input".

The author says,

We should focus on gathering information that resonates deeply with us.

The reason we "deeply resonate"

is because this information is related to the issues we are thinking about

or projects.

In other words,

The "most efficient way of inputting" is to find a home for each piece of information,

and that home is your specific "Project".

During the Organize phase,

the author emphasizes again that organizing information should revolve around "actionability".

To achieve this,

he introduced the PARA structure.

In this structure,

P (Project) represents specific tasks you want to accomplish,

A (Area) represents areas you need to focus on or be responsible for in the long term,

R (Resource) are the references available to you,

and the final A (Archive) is for archiving notes that are no longer needed.

However, to be honest,

I'm not particularly fond of this PARA structure,

and even including the CODE system,

I have some of my own views.

I will share them with you later,

but let's return to PARA.

The author states that PARA is not a "file system"

it's a "production system",

again emphasizing "output".

He also mentioned that this system was inspired by a famous choreographer,

whose method of maintaining creativity over a 60-year career was the "project box".

Whenever she starts a new project,

She would use a new box

To store all notes and information related to that project.

This gives her a clear focus

And allows her to work more methodically.

These "boxes" representing projects

Are what we just referred to as "destinations for the notes".

So again, "output determines input".

Some viewers might ask,

Isn't this just the concept of "store now

Use in the future"?

Why do you say it's a misconception?

To understand this,

We need to categorize "Project" into two types.

One is a "Sprint" project,

And the other is what the author calls a "slow burn" project.

Sprint projects are those you are currently focusing on,

Needing to complete intensively, like a "sprint".

Like this video you're watching now,

Which I produced in just a few days.

The Slow Burn projects are those you've established,

But need to complete in the future.

The reason they're called Slow Burn

Is because the project is in a "dormant gestation period",

Simmering like a slow stew,

You gradually gather information and inspiration,

And when the time is ripe,

You turn it into a Sprint project,

Focusing intensely to complete it.

With all your energy and resources.

The "dormant questions" that Feynman mentioned earlier,

and most of the choreographer's boxes are slow-burn projects.

Most of my videos also belong to slow-burn projects.

So in "store now, use in the future", the "store"

still needs a defined goal.

They are often slow burn projects.

If you can quickly find a place for a piece of information,

then that information is worth collecting and organizing.

If you can't,

it makes no difference whether it remains on the internet or in your notebook.

But what most people understand as "store now

and use in the future"

does not have well-defined projects.

They just hope that "what they store now

might be useful one day?"

This is more like a hoarder's optimistic promise to themselves.

Unfortunately, it's a promise that's hard to keep.

A "second brain" or "personal knowledge base" without a clear output definition

is a pseudo-need.

D- Digesting and absorbing the notes

This step is actually a necessary process for your output.

During the Distill phase, the author says,

"Our notes are meant to be used,

not collected",

and then provides some techniques to digest and absorb notes.

This is still "output determines input".

The final step, E- Express, express

create, output,

This is the starting and ending point of the second brain.

In this section,

the author provides some creative techniques

and methods on how to reuse completed projects in the future.

Now, looking at it as a whole,

"The Second Brain" emphasizes "actionability" everywhere,

the importance of output.

But why do many people's understanding of "The Second Brain"

become something that "helps you remember everything",

emphasizing the "input" of a "personal knowledge base"?

In my opinion,

part of the reason is

this book overly pursues a "comprehensive concept",

making the content complex and losing focus.

For instance, CODE discusses the process,

while PARA discusses the structure.

This is already quite complicated.

Then, within PARA, you have to differentiate between P,

A,

R,

and A.

This is harder than you might think.

For example, if I want to record a company purchase receipt,

it can be a Project,

as it's part of my tax filing process.

But according to the author,

it can also be a long-term "Area" I'm responsible for.

Could it also be a Resource?

Because I need this receipt when claiming a warranty from the vendor.

Also, in a project, I'll use some resources.

Do these resources go into the resource notes,

or directly into my Project notes?

In reality,

this PARA describes two types of notebooks.

One is for project management (P),

the main focus of the book;

the other is our usual notebook (A).

For jotting down miscellaneous things,

with no real actionability.

While such notes are certainly important,

they are simple.

There's no need to overcomplicate.

Yet the author wants P and A to share R.

The author is overly keen on defining a concept that covers everything,

making everything interconnected.

While emphasizing "actionability",

he also hopes "not to waste any notes".

This is a "wanting both" mentality.

It may sound cool,

but it only complicates things,

forcing you to make more choices,

diluting the book's core idea of "project-oriented".

Moreover,

I don't like the term "The Second Brain",

because it easily makes one think of a "memory tool",

rather than the "action" and "method" emphasized in the book.

In fact, what this book talks about

is essentially a "project management note method",

but this name is obviously not as "sexy" as "The Second Brain",

and not as appealing as "Helping You Remember Everything".

So next,

based on the core of this book and my years of creative experience,

I'll help simplify things for everyone,

sharing a "Minimalist Note-taking Rule" I've always used.

In my opinion,

everyone needs two types of note systems.

The first one is the notebook you already have,

used to jot down various miscellaneous things.

It doesn't need to be complex,

and you don't need to stress about making it perfect or efficient.

Because for most people,

your notes are just like the files on your computer hard drive.

Over time, they'll become cluttered,

and you'll always need to clean them up periodically.

This type of notebook isn't the most important to you,

it won't determine your success or failure.

Any free note-taking software can be used for these notes,

I personally use Apple's built-in Apple Notes.

The second note system,

is the "Project Box Notes" introduced by the choreographer I mentioned earlier.

Its sole purpose is to help you "output".

It's simple, it makes sense.

To be specific,

it's a simplification of the book author's "Second Brain" using CODE and PARA.

It's referred to as PC(O).

P, as before, stands for Project.

It could be a Sprint Project,

or what's called a Slow-Burn Project.

These are your boxes,

which in different note-taking apps might be represented as folders,

spaces,

or boards.

So, all the "information, ideas,

and resources"

are thrown into this box.

Any note-taking software can be used for project management.

You can use specialized software for your industry,

or mainstream apps like Apple Notes,

or Notion.

You can even mix and match software.

For instance, I use Apple Notes + Milanote.

Putting P (Project) at the forefront means,

before taking notes, there must be a "project" in place,

akin to Feynman's "12 most challenging problems."

C stands for Capture.

When you resonate deeply with a piece of information,

it's likely related to your project.

If possible,

capture it immediately and place it in the corresponding project.

If you come across exciting information that doesn't fit an existing project,

it may indicate the need to "initiate a new project",

to create a new box for it.

Whether you ultimately abandon this project or not,

falls under project management and creation,

and isn't something to contemplate when capturing notes.

Many note-taking apps come with information capture functionality.

For example, on Apple devices,

you can easily share information directly to the respective note-taking app.

You can also use dedicated note-capture tools.

For instance, in my case,

given my broad and diverse consumption,

I end up using many

capture tools.

For example, using custom Apple shortcuts,

self-made ChatGPT voice notes,

Readwise,

Millanote's built-in capture tools, and so on.

Then, O stands for "Organize."

If you can't temporarily place the note into the corresponding project,

or are still contemplating whether to "initiate a new project",

or "don't know how to define a new project",

you can temporarily save the note in an "inbox",

and organize it when you have the time.

So why did I put O in parentheses?

Because you should try to avoid this step.

In my experience, over time,

you might become lazy to categorize,

or forget why you initially found the information important,

rendering the note meaningless.

To avoid this,

simplify the structure of your capture tool and project management software,

reducing the steps.

If you have to go through multiple folders and interfaces to reach the target project,

it's too cumbersome,

and you won't want to capture it.

That's why projects I can complete in Apple Notes

won't be done in professional software.

Because Apple Notes is simple and fast.

That's my "Minimalist Note-Taking Rule."

Many viewers might say at this point,

Is it really that simple?

Shouldn't you share more software tricks in detail?

This brings me to my emphasis:

Principles are more important than tools.

Everyone has their unique needs and types of output.

You need to choose software and techniques that suit you.

That's why I want to remind everyone in the end,

to be cautious with recommendations from all YouTubers, including me.

In most cases,

the tools or methods we recommend best suit YouTubers.

You'll find that most computer reviews focus on video editing performance.

Most software use-cases are primarily for video content output.

Because making videos is the main output method for many of us YouTubers.

The more successful the YouTuber, the more this is the case.

Each video is our "box",

and we try to fit all useful information into these boxes.

But not everyone wants to be a YouTuber.

And not everyone is actively producing content.

Our "boxes" are likely different.

So,

the most important thing is to define your own "box",

become a "creator", and produce value.

When learning about tools and methods recommended by productivity experts,

you should take inspiration,

not merely imitate.

In closing, I want to say,

our obsession with note-taking software

is an external reflection of the difficulties in "creating."

Creation requires not only courage and execution,

and even if you have them,

creation remains full of uncertainties.

There's no simple formula to follow.

Only through long-term output and accumulation

can you possibly find your own way.

This is why I always say,

"Taking notes" and "creating" are two processes,

the former is easy, the latter is hard.

The reason we desire the devices and software used by "successful individuals"

is because these are the most certain aspects

and the easiest commonalities to attain between us and who we aspire to become.