How to Organise your Life - Building a Second Brain

Summary

In this Book Club episode, Ali discusses Tiago Forte's 'Building a Second Brain', a system to combat information overload. The video outlines why and how to build a digital commonplace book, or 'second brain', to capture and organize ideas and knowledge, enhancing productivity and creativity. Ali shares personal experiences and examples of how this method has transformed his approach to projects, teaching, and content creation, emphasizing the importance of expressing and sharing ideas.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The main issue addressed is 'information overwhelm', where individuals struggle to manage the vast amount of information they consume daily.
• 📚 Ali recommends 'Building a Second Brain' by Tiago Forte as a solution to information overload, which he has personally implemented.
• 🤔 The concept of a 'second brain' is introduced as a system to help process and store information, aiding in creativity and knowledge work.
• 📝 The importance of writing things down is emphasized as the first step to combat information overload, referencing the historical use of commonplace books.
• 🔍 Digital note-taking is presented as a more efficient alternative to traditional methods, allowing for better organization and accessibility.
• 🎨 The script highlights that a second brain is not just for creatives but is beneficial for any knowledge work, including jobs in medicine, consulting, and more.
• 📈 The 'code system' (C, O, D, E) is introduced as the methodology for building a second brain, starting with capturing ideas and information.
• 🗂 Organizing information by actionability, rather than by source, is suggested for better utility and relevance to future projects.
• 📝 Distilling information through 'progressive summarization' helps in identifying the core essence of captured notes for effective use.
• 💡 The final step of the code framework is expressing, which involves sharing and applying the stored knowledge to create value.
• 🔑 The script concludes with personal anecdotes from Ali on how a second brain has improved his productivity, creativity, and reduced stress.

Q & A

What is the main problem that Ali discusses in the script?

Ali discusses the problem of information overwhelm, where one consumes a vast amount of information but struggles to apply it effectively.

What solution does the book 'Building a Second Brain' by Tiago Forte propose to address information overload?

The book proposes the creation of a 'second brain' system, a digital note-taking system to capture and organize information, making it easier to retrieve and apply when needed.

What is the significance of writing things down as a first step to combat information overload?

Writing things down is the initial step most people overlook. It helps in capturing thoughts, ideas, and information that can be referred to later, thus reducing the cognitive load of trying to remember everything.

What is a commonplace book and how does it relate to the second brain concept?

A commonplace book is a traditional method used by artists and creatives to write down their thoughts and gather inspiration. The second brain concept is a modern, digital version of this idea, allowing for easier access and organization of information.

Why is it inefficient to use an analogue system for a commonplace book according to Ali?

An analogue system is inefficient because it lacks the ability to search and organize information easily. It is also less accessible and more cumbersome to manage compared to a digital system.

What is the 'code framework' that Ali mentions for building a second brain?

The code framework refers to the method of building a second brain using the acronym CODE, which stands for Capture, Organize, Distill, and Express. It is a systematized approach to managing information effectively.

How does the second brain system help in reducing stress according to the script?

The second brain system helps reduce stress by offloading the mental burden of remembering information. It allows the brain to focus on more important tasks like creativity, making connections, and relaxation, rather than trying to hold onto every detail.

What is the difference between capturing information manually and automatically as mentioned by Ali?

Manual capturing involves writing down or typing out information, while automatic capturing uses apps or tools to automatically save highlights, quotes, or other relevant information from books, articles, or podcasts directly into the second brain system.

How does organizing information by actionability differ from organizing by topic?

Organizing by actionability means categorizing information based on how and where it will be used, such as in a specific project or task. This is more effective than organizing by topic, which can be less targeted and less likely to be revisited.

What is the concept of 'progressive summarization' mentioned by Tiago in the script?

Progressive summarization is a method of distilling information by highlighting and summarizing key points repeatedly. This process helps in identifying and focusing on the most important essence of the information.

What is the final step of the CODE framework and why is it important?

The final step is 'Express'. It is important because it involves sharing or applying the captured and organized information, which is crucial for creating value, whether it's through content creation, problem-solving, or any form of knowledge work.

How has the second brain system helped Ali in his productivity and creativity?

The second brain system has allowed Ali to work on multiple projects in parallel (slow burns), making the process of creating content or completing projects more efficient. It has also facilitated his teaching work by providing quick access to relevant information and ideas.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Building a Second Brain to Combat Information Overwhelm

Ali introduces the concept of 'Building a Second Brain' by Tiago Forte, a system designed to address the issue of information overload. He discusses his personal struggle with being overwhelmed by the vast amount of content he consumes and how the second brain system has been beneficial in his life. Ali outlines the plan for the video, which includes discussing the necessity of a second brain, the process of building one using a code framework, and sharing examples of its impact on his life. He emphasizes the problem of information consumption, which is compared to reading 174 full newspapers daily, and the inadequacy of merely writing things down as a solution.

05:02

🤔 The Necessity and Power of a Second Brain

Ali delves into the rationale behind having a second brain, starting with the root problem of information overwhelm. He highlights the daily consumption of a staggering amount of information and contrasts the passive acceptance of this reality with the proactive step of writing things down. Ali mentions the historical use of commonplace books by notable figures like Leonardo da Vinci and modern-day creatives like Taylor Swift and Jerry Seinfeld to capture their thoughts and inspire creativity. He contrasts the inefficiency of an analogue system with the advantages of a digital commonplace book, which is accessible, searchable, and easy to organize, and concludes by defining the second brain as a digital repository for capturing life's inspirations.

10:06

📝 The CODE Framework for Organizing and Expressing Ideas

Ali outlines the four-part methodology for building a second brain, known as the CODE framework: Capture, Organize, Distill, and Express. He starts by explaining the importance of capturing ideas and information to free up mental space for more critical tasks. Ali then discusses the use of Apple Notes as his personal second brain application and shares his process for noting down resonant ideas, including book highlights, quotes, and personal thoughts. He also touches on the concept of automatic capturing of information from various sources. The framework is underpinned by David Allen's principle that the brain should be used for generating ideas, not for storing them.

15:08

🔍 Organizing and Distilling Information for Clarity and Action

Ali continues the discussion on the second brain system by focusing on organization and distillation. He criticizes the common practice of organizing notes by source, such as separate folders for books, podcasts, and lessons, and instead advocates for organizing by actionability—where the information might be used. Ali shares his personal approach to this, including tossing relevant information into project-specific folders and relying on search functionality for retrieval. He also introduces the concept of progressive summarization as a method for distilling the essence of captured information, highlighting its importance in the overall process of managing a second brain.

🎨 Expressing Ideas and the Benefits of a Second Brain

Ali concludes the discussion on the second brain system by emphasizing the final step of the CODE framework: Express. He explains that capturing and organizing ideas is only the beginning; the true value lies in expressing those ideas to create something of value or to share with the world. Ali provides examples of how this system has helped him in his work, such as preparing for talks and creating YouTube videos, by allowing him to draw upon a wealth of organized information quickly and efficiently. He also touches on the broader benefits of the second brain system in reducing stress and enhancing productivity.

👋 Wrapping Up and Encouraging Further Exploration

In the final paragraph, Ali wraps up the video by summarizing the benefits of the second brain system and encouraging viewers to explore the concept further. He provides links to additional resources, including a book and an online course, for those interested in building their own second brain. Ali also invites viewers to subscribe for more content and shares his contact information for those interested in submitting video ideas, offering a reward for selected submissions. The video ends on a note of gratitude and an open invitation for continued engagement with the audience.

Keywords

💡Information Overwhelm

Information Overwhelm refers to the state of feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information one encounters daily. In the video, Ali discusses this concept as a central problem that the 'second brain' system aims to address. The script mentions consuming '34 gigabytes a day of information' as an example of the overwhelming amount of content people are exposed to, which can lead to difficulty in processing and applying that information effectively.

💡Second Brain

The term 'Second Brain' is introduced as a system to combat information overload. It is a digital note-taking system that serves as an external repository for ideas, thoughts, and information. Ali explains that this system helps in organizing and recalling information when needed, which is crucial for both creatives and those involved in knowledge work. The script illustrates the concept by discussing how one can use this system to note down inspirations from various sources like books, podcasts, and personal thoughts.

💡Commonplace Book

A Commonplace Book is a traditional method of capturing ideas, used by artists and thinkers throughout history. In the script, Ali mentions that figures like Taylor Swift and Jerry Seinfeld use this practice to jot down their thoughts and ideas. The concept is expanded upon to suggest a digital version of this book as part of the 'second brain' system, allowing for easier access and organization of one's thoughts.

💡Knowledge Work

Knowledge Work is a term used to describe jobs that involve the processing and manipulation of information. Ali uses this term to emphasize that not only creatives but everyone in today's world engages in knowledge work to some extent. The script explains that whether one is a doctor, an investment banker, or a consultant, the essence of their job is to input information, process it, and produce an output, which is facilitated by the 'second brain' system.

💡Code Framework

The Code Framework is a methodology for building and utilizing a 'second brain' system, represented by the letters C, O, D, and E. Ali outlines this framework in the script as a way to capture, organize, distill, and express information effectively. The framework is integral to the video's theme of managing information overload and enhancing productivity and creativity.

💡Progressive Summarization

Progressive Summarization is a method mentioned in the script for distilling information within the 'second brain' system. It involves the process of highlighting and summarizing key points to identify the most important aspects of the information. Ali explains that this method is more effective than traditional highlighting for retention and is used within the 'second brain' to focus on the essence of captured notes.

💡Actionability

Actionability, in the context of the 'second brain' system, refers to organizing information based on how and when it might be used, rather than where it was found. Ali discusses this concept as a more effective way to categorize information, allowing for easier retrieval and application in various projects or tasks. The script provides examples of organizing notes by project, such as a book or a video script, to enhance productivity.

💡Express

To 'Express' in the context of the video means to demonstrate or articulate one's knowledge or ideas, often through creative output. Ali emphasizes that capturing and organizing information in a 'second brain' is only part of the process; the final step is to express these ideas, whether through writing, teaching, or creating content. The script illustrates this with examples of how Ali uses his 'second brain' to prepare for talks and create videos.

💡Digital Note-Taking

Digital Note-Taking is the act of using digital tools to record and organize information. In the script, Ali discusses his preference for using Apple Notes as his 'second brain' for personal use and Notion for team-based projects. Digital note-taking is central to the video's theme of managing information and enhancing productivity through the 'second brain' system.

💡Productivity System

A Productivity System, as discussed in the script, is a set of tools and methodologies used to increase efficiency and manage tasks effectively. Ali mentions that having a productivity system, including a 'second brain' for capturing and organizing ideas, is key to reducing stress and improving one's ability to remember and apply information. The script provides examples of how such a system can be integrated into daily life for both personal and professional benefits.

Highlights

Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte is a system designed to combat information overload.

Information overload is a common problem, with individuals consuming an equivalent of 174 full newspapers daily.

Writing things down is a simple but often overlooked solution to information overload.

A commonplace book is a historical method used by creatives like Leonardo da Vinci to record thoughts and inspirations.

Digital commonplace books, or 'second brains,' offer efficiency over traditional physical journals.

The second brain system is beneficial for creatives and anyone involved in knowledge work.

Every job today involves some form of knowledge work, including processing and outputting information.

The methodology for building a second brain is outlined by the code system C, O, D, and E.

Capturing ideas is essential, as the brain is better suited for generating ideas than holding onto them.

Organizing notes by actionability rather than source material is more effective for future use.

Progressive summarization is a method for distilling the essence of information within the second brain.

Expressing knowledge through creation or sharing is a key component of the second brain system.

The second brain aids in productivity by allowing for the assembly of pre-prepared ideas and materials.

Slow burns, as opposed to heavy lifts, allow for gradual development of projects over time.

The second brain system can significantly reduce stress by offloading the brain's need to remember details.

Ali Abdaal, a medical doctor and content creator, uses Apple notes as his personal second brain for capturing ideas.

The second brain can be a powerful tool for students, helping to organize and target study materials for essays and projects.

The second brain system can be applied to various forms of expression, including consulting, banking, and artistic creation.

Transcripts

Ali (00:00): All right.

So one of the most annoying problems that I face in my life is information overwhelm.

I read all these books, listen to all these podcasts, watch all these YouTube videos,

and consume all this stuff, but I end up information overloaded and don't really know what to do

with that information.

And that is what this book claims to solve.

This is Building a Second Brain, by Tiago Forte, which is what we're discussing in this

episode of Book Club, the ongoing series, where we distil and discuss highlights and

summaries from some of my favourite books.

And the whole idea is that this system, the second brain system, helps you solve that

problem.

Now, I've been using this system for the last several years.

I took Tiago's course, Building a Second Brain.

And so in this video, we're going to be talking about why you should build a second brain

and then how to build a second brain using the code framework.

And I'm going to share a bunch of examples about how this kind of thing has helped my

life so hopefully, it can help yours as well.

Ali (00:41): All right.

So let's start with the question of what is a second brain and why should you have one?

And to answer this, we need to start from the root problem, which is this idea of information

overwhelm.

We all have these dozens and dozens, apparently, 34 gigabytes a day of information is what

we consume.

There was this other news article that said we consume the equivalent of 174 full newspapers

every single day of our lives with all of the content that we get deluged with.

Now, the easy solution to this problem of information overload is to write things down.

And honestly, this is the first step that most of us don't even take.

We don't bother to write things down.

If you listen to something in a podcast or you come across a quote, or you have an interesting

thought, or you think of an interesting story that happened in your life or an anecdote,

we tend not to default to, I should probably write this down somewhere.

Ali (01:21): We tend to think, oh, I will just remember

the thing.

If it's from a podcast or a video, you think, yeah, I'm going to apply it to my life, and

you never end up applying it to your life.

Now, if we do decide to write things down as a way of combating information overload,

one old school way of doing that is called a commonplace book.

This is the sort of thing that the great artists in our time, and before, used to use to write

their thoughts down.

You've got people like Taylor Swift, who talk about how, whenever they have an interesting

thought in their day-to-day life, they write it down.

You've got comedians like Jerry Seinfeld, who say that whenever they think something

interesting or a funny little quip in the shower, they make sure to write it down on

a piece of paper.

This is a standard part of the creative process for so many people.

Jerry Seinfeld (01:55): I know you think people are going to be interested

in this, but they're not.

Ali (01:58): Even back in the day, people like Leonard

DaVinci used to apparently have a commonplace book where, as he was kind of going about

his life, he would gather inspiration and he would do these little sketches and he'd

put them all into a single book.

And then, that book became the source of his creativity.

It's where he would generate those ideas from.

Now, I do, in fact, carry a physical journal with me at all times to try and do this commonplace

book type thing.

But it's just doing it in an analogue system is pretty inefficient.

You can't search.

You can't organise.

It's a bit of a faff.

And so thanks to this tech-enabled world that we live in, instead of making an analogue

commonplace book, we can make a digital commonplace book.

So hypothetically, we could have a single source where anytime we come across inspiration

from anything at all in our lives, internally or externally, so externally might be books

or movies or podcasts or quotes, or a friend says something, and that sparks an interesting

thought in you, you have a place where you write it down in a digital kind of system.

Ali (02:45): Internally, it might be a random musing that

you have, or you're in the shower and you think of something or you're on a car journey

and you think, oh, this would be a cool thing to do.

It might be related to your job.

It might be related to your family.

And you think, you know what?

I should probably write this down.

And it goes into a digital system.

And this digital commonplace book is what Tiago Forte calls a second brain.

But why should you have a second brain in the first place?

What is the point of writing all this stuff down?

Now, again, if you are in the creative world, it's really abundantly obvious.

If you're a songwriter, if you're a poet, if you're a book writer, if you're a YouTuber,

if you're a podcaster, you need a place to capture ideas from all the world around you,

because it really helps you express your creativity.

Ali (03:19): Because now, it's not the case that you are

sitting down and thinking, shit, what do I write this week for my book or for my blog

or for my newsletter?

You're thinking, I have all these abundant ideas and I can just go through my little

second brain and I can decide what I want to write about this week.

And this is how basically all creatives have done it since the beginning of time.

But the question is, what if you're not?

What if you're one of those people that does not want to be a "content creator" in some

capacity, you'd have no aspirations of writing a book or starting a podcast or a newsletter

or anything obviously creative that requires you to do this kind of stuff.

Well, the thing that Tiago argues, and I fully agree with him on this, is that basically

every job in the world these days involves knowledge work of some kind.

Ali (03:56): Bertrand Russell, back in the day, used to

say that a job is moving matter at or above the Earth's surface, which I think it's quite

funny.

In the world that we live in today, there is a third form of job and that's moving knowledge,

moving information.

Getting information as inputs, doing something with it.

Are you processing it and then turning it into outputs of some sort?

Even something like being a doctor involves information.

You've got this profound amount of information as inputs, i.e. from medical journals and

textbooks and things, that turns into a knowledge bank in your head, but also externally.

And then you do stuff with that information and it gives you a result, i.e. tells you

what to do with your patient or what dose of drugs to prescribe or anything like that.

If you're working in a more normal job, like, I don't know, investment banking or consulting

or anything that involves making loads of PowerPoint slides, it's really all about information

input, processing, and output.

And that's basically what every single job involves.

Ali (04:39): We're now going to talk about the four parts

of the methodology for building a second brain, which is the code system, C, O, D, and E.

And once we've done that, I'm going to share with you some of my personal use cases, so

you can see what effect a second brain has had in my life, and then you can decide if

you want to build one for yourself, you want to get the book, any of that kind of stuff.

Ali (04:56): Now, the key insight here is a quote from

David Allen, from the book, Getting Things Done, amazing productivity book, which is

that your brain is for having ideas, not for holding them.

We spend so much of our kind of mental brain space trying to remember random stuff, whereas,

if we were able to capture all that random stuff into a note-taking app or a second brain

or into even pen and paper, any kind of system, it frees up our own brain to do the important

things, like be creative or make connections or self care or relaxation, or just having

fun, rather than having to remember what was on my calendar, what's on my to do list.

Now, the easy way of solving this problem for most people, and this is sort of the standard

part of any productivity system, is to have a calendar and a to-do list, so that you don't

have to remember what you're supposed to be doing at any given minute of the day.

Ali (05:36): And also, you don't have to remember what

all those random tasks were, your shopping list, that kind of thing.

That would be a real faff to remember in your head.

But one step beyond that, which is what the second brain talks about, is about how we

should capture any kind of idea that resonates with us and put it into this note-taking app.

If you're interested, that the app that I use these days is actually Apple notes.

I use Apple notes for most of my second brain use cases.

I use Notion for all the team-based stuff, when it comes to making videos, podcasts,

and things, because it's very good for team collaboration, but Apple notes is my second

brain.

I just capture everything.

Anytime I have a thought, it just goes straight into Apple notes.

And basically, the idea is that anything that feels resonant, anything that resonates with

me personally, is something I'm going to write down.

Ali (06:11): So this could be highlights from a book, for

example.

It could be an interesting quote that I've come across on a podcast or in real life.

It could be a website that I've liked, and I'm like, oh, this is a sick website.

I really want to remember this website or I really want to remember this blog post from

this website.

Let me just save it into Apple notes.

It could be notes from a meeting.

So for example, anytime I have a coaching call or if I have lunch with an author or

a creative friend, often we talk about interesting stuff and often I'll just think, you know

what?

Pause for a second.

That was really good point.

I'm just going to write that down.

And then I open up Apple notes and I write it down.

Oh, and speaking of capturing, quick thing.

If you have any video ideas that you'd like me to make on this channel, you can submit

them in a form that's linked down in the video description.

Ali (06:43): And if you submit an idea and we make the

video, we will pay you $100, either in U.S. dollars or in Bitcoin, depending on whichever

one is easier to send to you, depending on where you are in the world.

So $100 for video ideas, little competition envelope.

The other thing that I capture as well is, for example, my own thoughts.

So often, if I'm on a train journey, I'll just bust out the iPad, I'll open up Apple

notes and I'll just think, okay, what are some thoughts I've had in the last week that

I just want to write down?

And one of the learnings that I've picked up over the last couple of years is really

recognising that my own perspective is actually quite valuable.

And now that I'm, for example, writing a book, I'm coming across thoughts that I saved into

my note system a year ago, two years ago, and thinking, oh, this thought was actually

pretty reasonable, and this could actually form the basis of a few paragraphs or even

a whole book chapter.

Ali (07:26): And I completely forgot that I had the thought.

It wasn't in my first brain, because my brain is bad at remembering things.

It was in my second brain.

It was in my note-taking system, and then I could expand on that and it could become

kind of material for my book.

Within capturing so far, we've talked about manual ways of capturing stuff, like writing

things down, but there's also automatic ways of capturing stuff.

I've got a video up there about five apps that changed my life, and that talks about

an automated way of capturing highlights from books and articles and podcasts, and I use

that as well.

And so, over the last, I don't know, many, many, many years, I've built up hundreds,

if not thousands of highlights from all of the books and all of the articles that I've

ever read.

Ali (07:58): And that's been incredibly valuable for, again,

my own book project, but also for me thinking, I read this book about this thing and I know

I want to apply some of the insights from that to my life, but I can't remember what

those are, so let me revisit my highlights from that.

And people often ask, Ali, how are you so productive, et cetera, et cetera.

How do you seem to do the things without worrying about it so much?

Oh, to be honest, a big part of it is having a decent productivity system, having a way

to capture things into a digital system, so that my own brain does not have to remember

it.

And when you can free your own brain up of having to remember all the crap in your life,

then it really kind of reduces your own stress levels.

Ali (08:31): All right.

So the next step of the code framework is organised.

Now the idea here is now that we've captured all this stuff into this big-ass inbox, we

now want to organise it in some capacity.

Now, the wrong way, as Tiago says, the wrong way to organise notes is in terms of where

you found them.

So people will be tempted to be like, I want to have a book notes folder.

I want to have a podcast notes folder.

I want to have a lesson notes folder.

And the problem with that is that it's just not particularly useful.

Unless you decide one day, I just want to happen to look through my book notes, you're

probably not going to look through your book notes, because we don't have that much time

in our lives to revisit the stuff that we once thought was useful.

Instead, what Tiago suggests, and he talks about it extensively in the book, which kind

of gives a whole system for this, is to organise things by actionability.

Where will I potentially use this information?

Ali (09:11): So I've taken this onboard, and now anytime

I come across anything at all, whether it's a quote or a blog post or a podcast or whatever,

and it's relevant to the book that I'm writing, it goes straight into my book project folder.

And then I don't bother categorising and tagging and doing all of that crap.

I'm pretty messy in the way I do things.

I just chuck it into the book folder, knowing that it will be resurfaced whenever I need

it.

And knowing that, the nice thing about a digital system is that I can always use control F

or command F if I need to.

I can always search.

And search is now so good these days that you almost don't need a specific hierarchical

organisational system.

I'm, at the moment, really interested in the idea of longevity, really interested in how

do we live longer?

Ali (09:47): And so I've been reading books like Lifespan

by David Sinclair, listening to David Sinclair's podcast, listening to Huberman Lab's podcast,

and initially, I was tempted to organise it by topic.

Oh, these are my notes about health or about longevity.

But I know that's not particularly useful.

Instead, I'm organising it by actionability.

So I'm working on the script for a video called How I'm Trying to Live Forever, the Basics

of Anti-Ageing, and as I'm reading stuff, it's going into that particular project, which

means it's organised by this unit of output, the fact that I'm making a video about it,

or I might be writing a newsletter or sharing a blog post about it.

And even if I never end up making the thing, the fact that I'm organising it based on that

project rather than based on a topic means that I'm far more likely to be more targeted

in my approach.

Ali (10:23): This is the advice I give to students at university

and students in school of writing essays.

It's actually not very helpful to think I'm going to study philosophy today, or I'm going

to study biochemistry today, because how do you know?

What are you going to do?

What are you going to work on?

It's really hard to figure out what that means.

But if you organise your notes in the sense of, I need to answer the question of what

is the structure and function of the sodium potassium pump?

At that point, when you do your reading, it's very targeted.

You're looking for stuff around the sodium potassium pump.

It goes into that particular essay.

And now, as you're doing that, you're building up a mental map of the subject as a whole,

within this specific niche, rather than thinking I'm going to study physiology.

Ali (10:58): So it's the same concept, organised by actionability

rather than by topic.

It can sound pretty complicated.

It's sort of hard to explain this in a video, but you can get the book.

That'll be linked down below, if you want it.

At this point, we have captured loads of stuff.

We've organised it by actionability, but now we're left with this mess.

There's random quotes, random highlights, random blog posts.

How do we know what the important essence of that thing is?

And that's where distilling comes in.

Basically, Tiago talks about this whole method called progressive summarization, which is

basically highlighting, but highlighting on steroids.

Loads of us used to highlight in stuff when we were in school.

It's not particularly effective for retention in your own personal brain, but it is effective

for flagging up the areas which are particularly important.

Ali (11:35): And in the book, he's got a bunch of specific

examples about how to do this.

He also talks about this in his really expensive online course.

I took this course and I was a mentor on that course.

I'll put a link down below, if you want it.

And then the final method of the code framework is E for express.

And the idea basically here is you want to show your work.

Now, what am I doing?

Here, I am expressing.

I am converting my knowledge of personal knowledge management and reading this book and my favourite

highlights and stuff from this book into a video.

This is me expressing, this is me showing my work.

But if I wasn't making a video, if I wasn't a YouTuber, there are loads of other ways

to express work as well.

And really, that's the whole point of this second brain system, at the end of the day.

It's all well and good, hoarding ideas and keeping them in a note-taking app.

Ali (12:13): But unless we're expressing those ideas in

some way, unless we're sharing those ideas with the world, unless we're using them to

create something or make something of value, they're kind of useless.

I mean, I guess you could just sort of hoard the knowledge and then you could apply it

to your own life, but it's way nicer if you can share it with other people.

And basically, the point that Tiago makes is, again, almost every job involves expressing,

in some capacity.

If you're a management consultant and you're making a PowerPoint slide deck, you are expressing.

You are creating something.

That is your output from all of that information you've inputted and then you've then processed.

If you're an investment banker, you are creating something like your trading strategy.

If you're a musician, obviously you're creating stuff.

An artist, a writer, or a photographer, you are creating these tangible units of output.

Ali (12:48): And that's the whole idea behind this whole

framework, capturing, organising, and distilling, ultimately helps us express.

It helps us show our work.

It helps share our creativity, share whatever the thing we've been working on with other

people, and being able to do it with a digital commonplace, a second brain, a digital note-taking

system that brings all the ideas together, makes it way easier, way less friction, and

way less stress to do all of that stuff, which is an important part of our jobs anyway.

Ali (13:09): I want to now just share a couple of ways

in which the second brain has really helped me in terms of helping me be more productive,

but also be more creative and help my life become basically a lot less stressful.

And the first one is the idea of slow burns versus heavy lifts.

Before I discovered this system, when it came to making YouTube videos, for example, or

when it came to working on any kind of project, at the time I was working on a bunch of publications

that I was trying to go for, because I was applying for medical specialty training, et

cetera, et cetera.

Ali (13:33): I used to think of those things as a very

heavy lift project.

It was like, okay, I need to sit down and make a video this week.

What's the video going to be?

All right, let's do it.

I need to sit down and bash out this presentation I'm doing for the European Society for Gynaecological

Oncology, and figure out what I'm saying about this thing.

But one of the things that the course taught me, and he talks about this in the book as

well, is the idea of slow burns.

What you can do is work on multiple projects in parallel.

So right now, I've got about eight video ideas that I'm slowly tinkering with and working

on.

I've got various book chapters that are in various stages of completion.

Back in the day, when I was in medicine, I had a bunch of medical projects that were

at various stages of completion.

Ali (14:06): And the idea is as I'm going through my life,

as I'm coming across interesting information that I can put into these projects, it's going

into my system and it's going into the projects, and therefore, all of the projects are on

a bit of a slow burn and they sort of simmer away and get slowly, progressively more cooked

over time, which means when it comes to sit down and actually turn it into a book chapter

or turn it into a video or turn it into a presentation or a poster for a medical conference,

it means most of the work has already been done.

And now, my job is to just assemble things.

And secondly, the system has also really helped with my own teaching work.

I enjoy teaching.

Teaching is my jam at the end of the day, whether it's making videos or going on podcasts

or doing workshops in real life.

Ali (14:40): The other day, I was doing a real-life talk

for 100 students of a part-time YouTuber academy.

And I had about, I don't know, two minutes to prepare the talk.

And I just went through my app thing.

Off the top of my head, I came up with a few bullet points, found some supporting evidence

in the second brain, and now the talk was ready within two minutes, while I was in an

Uber on the way to the conference venue.

And if you like this video, you might like to check out this over here, which is my long-form

interview with Tiago Forte on my deep dive podcast.

That'll be on the deep dive YouTube channel.

Or, alternatively, if you're interested in building your own productivity system, you

should check out this video over here, where I break down how mine works and talk about

how second brain physically and digitally ties into that productivity system.

So thank you so much for watching.

Do hit the subscribe button if you're not already, and I'll see you in the next video.

Bye-bye.