## Intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=0s) - This video aims to demonstrate how to use [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] with the [[Zettelkasten]] method and take smart notes, regardless of the viewer's prior knowledge or experience with these tools [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=0s). - The video will provide practical tips to help viewers get started with their Zettelkasten and Obsidian journey as quickly as possible, and it is intended to serve as an inspiration for those who have not yet begun [(00:00:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=26s). - A disclaimer is given that the video explains the Zettelkasten method as understood by the creator, who has watched numerous YouTube videos and read a popular book on the subject, but has also made adjustments to suit their needs [(00:00:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=39s). - The creator notes that there is a lot of varying content on YouTube about Zettelkasten, with different people explaining it in different ways and using different terminology, which can be confusing for viewers [(00:01:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=60s). - Despite the potential for confusion, the key to successfully using Zettelkasten is to understand its core principles and create a system that works for the individual, without feeling obligated to follow rigid rules or consume excessive amounts of content [(00:01:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=79s). - The advice given to those starting their Zettelkasten and Obsidian journey is to avoid watching too many YouTube videos and instead start using the tools as soon as possible, as this will help identify areas for improvement and clarify the Zettelkasten method [(00:01:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=100s). - By taking an active approach and starting to use [[Zettelkasten]] and [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], viewers can gain a better understanding of the tools and develop a system that suits their needs, rather than simply passively consuming content [(00:01:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=115s). ## Setup Obsidian Vault [(00:02:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=120s) - To set up an Obsidian Vault, the first step is to download the Obsidian app by searching for it on Google and clicking on the official website, then selecting the correct platform, such as Mac or Windows, to download and install the app [(00:02:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=126s). - When opening the app for the first time, a vault needs to be created, which involves choosing a language and selecting a location for the vault, such as iCloud, Google Drive, or a local computer, with the option to use Obsidian Sync for automatic backups [(00:02:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=177s). - It is recommended to keep the Obsidian Vault on a cloud service, such as iCloud or Google Drive, and create regular backups to prevent data loss, or alternatively, pay for Obsidian Sync, which costs around $5 [(00:03:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=185s). - After creating the vault, the welcome document can be deleted, and the first step for a [[Zettelkasten]] user is to create three main folders: Fleeting Notes, Literature Notes, and Permanent Notes [(00:04:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=265s). - New folders can be created by clicking on the "New Folder" button, and new notes can be created by clicking on the "New Note" button, with the option to use shortcuts, which can be customized in the settings [(00:04:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=279s). - [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] also features tags, which can be created by pressing the dash key, and connections between notes can be made by pressing the brackets key twice and writing the note title [(00:05:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=324s). - The graph view shows the connections between notes, and the default location for new notes can be changed in the settings to a specific folder, such as Fleeting Notes, to keep the vault organized [(00:05:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=354s). - Other features of Obsidian include a search function, bookmarks, daily notes, canvases for mind maps or mood boards, and a command palette, which can be overwhelming for beginners, so it's recommended to stick to the basic features at first [(00:06:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=391s). ## Folders [(00:07:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=455s) - The [[Zettelkasten]] journey requires various types of folders, including fleeting notes and literature notes, to effectively organize and manage information [(00:07:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=455s). - Fleeting notes are used as an inbox folder where all thoughts, opinions, and ideas are captured, knowing that they will be processed later and either deleted or transferred to the permanent notes folder [(00:07:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=466s). - The fleeting notes folder does not have a specific structure, and notes are created without links or connections, serving as a brain dump or stream of consciousness [(00:08:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=503s). - Literature notes are used to store content consumed online or offline, and they can be divided into separate categories such as articles, books, courses, lectures, and podcasts [(00:08:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=529s). - Literature notes can be organized using tags or by putting everything into a single literature notes folder, but some people prefer to keep them separate to avoid clutter [(00:09:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=542s). - The literature notes folder serves as a reference folder where quotes, notes from YouTube videos or podcasts, and other relevant information can be stored [(00:09:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=567s). ## Literature Notes [(00:09:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=580s) - Literature notes have a specific structure, which includes the name of the note, typically the title of the book and the author's name, as well as tags to categorize the note, with a preference for using two to three broad words like psychology, philosophy, or reading for easy searching [(00:09:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=580s). - The use of tags is not relied upon for search, but rather for categorization, and links are used for searching specific information, while also including dates to track when something was learned or studied [(00:10:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=602s). - An outline is created for books, covering every chapter, to provide an existing structure while learning the material and to avoid distraction, with notes taken on everything found interesting [(00:10:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=636s). - Specific concepts of interest are transferred to permanent notes, which are made to be Atomic, consisting of plain text and linked notes that are important and will be linked to other permanent notes [(00:11:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=660s). - The literature notes also include a reference sources section at the bottom, where every possible resource that can be referred to is stored, including mentions of other books, connected books, articles, or YouTube videos related to the book being read [(00:11:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=694s). ## Permanent Notes [(00:11:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=709s) - Permanent notes are considered the most confusing note type for many individuals, and they are where new ideas and connections are formed, making them a crucial category [(00:11:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=709s). - When taking permanent notes, it is essential to keep them short, or "Atomic," meaning they should be brief and not require scrolling, with the goal of being so concise that scrolling is unnecessary [(00:12:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=727s). - It is recommended to avoid using copy and paste in permanent notes, as this can lead to a lack of understanding of the concept, and instead, explain everything in your own words to ensure comprehension and retention [(00:12:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=742s). - Research has shown that highlighting something in a book is often useless, and writing something in your own words is almost like testing yourself, helping to identify knowledge gaps [(00:12:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=748s). - The importance of being able to explain concepts in your own words is illustrated by the example of scientist Richard Feynman, who believed that if you cannot give an introductory lecture on a topic, you do not truly understand it [(00:12:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=772s). - When creating permanent notes, consider how they relate to previous ideas, and be selective about the information you collect, adding sources and references, and writing in full sentences to ensure clarity and precision [(00:13:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=804s). - The goal of permanent notes is to be clear and precise, allowing someone reading them to understand the intended meaning, and to be able to link new ideas to existing ones, considering their potential usefulness in the future [(00:13:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=798s). ## Permanent Notes Structure [(00:13:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=827s) - Permanent notes have a structure that is similar to literature notes, but with a few key differences, including the use of tags and date created, and the note itself is kept short and simple [(00:13:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=827s). - The format of the note is designed to be brief, ideally short enough that the reader does not have to scroll, and is followed by a section on connected ideas where different connections and new ideas are born [(00:14:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=847s). - In the connected ideas section, permanent notes can be linked to similar ideas or opposing ideas, which can help increase the quality of the notes and prevent confirmation bias, a concept also discussed in the book "How to Take Smart Notes" [(00:14:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=863s). - The use of opposing ideas in notes is a technique that can be used to challenge assumptions and consider alternative perspectives, and is a strategy that has been discussed by other experts, including a YouTuber whose handle is mentioned [(00:14:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=876s). - The notes also include a references or sources section, where all relevant sources are kept, which is similar to the structure used in literature notes [(00:14:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=889s). - Understanding the differences between permanent notes, literature notes, and other types of notes, and creating a clear structure for each, is key to making the [[Zettelkasten]] method work effectively [(00:15:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=901s). ## RealTime Notes [(00:15:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=908s) - When taking notes from books, a new note is created in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] with the title of the book and the author's name, and a separate link for the author is included to connect books by the same author [(00:15:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=922s). - The outline of the book is written down in the Obsidian note, including chapter names and notes on interesting concepts, with separate permanent notes created for particularly useful concepts [(00:15:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=944s). - Permanent notes are created for concepts that can be used in the future, such as the idea of four types of tasks, and are linked to similar concepts, like the Eisenhower Matrix, to connect related ideas [(00:16:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=965s). - Ideas that may be useful for content or other purposes are also taken as separate notes, and notes that are not as important are kept under the chapter name for potential future reference [(00:16:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1017s). - [[Amazon Kindle | Kindle]] highlights are added to the bottom of the page, and a section for permanent notes and references is included, where concepts and references related to the book can be collected [(00:17:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1064s). - The structure of the notes is still being refined, with a dilemma between putting concepts under chapter names or collecting them at the bottom, but the current structure seems to work best for finding specific ideas and connecting related concepts [(00:18:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1081s). - The references section is used to connect the book to other related books or ideas, and page numbers can be added to notes to make it easier to find concepts in the book later [(00:18:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1118s). - The note-taking system is simple, involving reading a part of a text, making a note in one's own words, adding a connection section to similar ideas, and including the name of the book and relevant tags, allowing for easy retrieval of notes later [(00:19:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1148s). - The best approach to developing a note-taking system is to start taking notes and experiment to find what works best, as the structure will likely be unique to the individual and may differ significantly from others [(00:19:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1175s). - The organization of the [[Zettelkasten]] system involves multiple folders, including fleeting notes, literature notes, permanent notes, content creation, and an unsorted folder, each serving a specific purpose [(00:19:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1197s). - The content creation folder is used for storing video scripts, YouTube video ideas, and other related content, such as the script for the current video being filmed [(00:20:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1213s). - The unsorted folder contains items that are not needed on a daily basis, including an attachments folder for storing images and PDFs, as [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] requires a separate folder for storing these types of files [(00:20:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1225s). - The clippings folder is utilized in conjunction with Obsidian's Chrome plugin, allowing for the direct saving of content from the internet to the Vault [(00:20:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1246s). - Additional folders are used for daily notes, monthly and weekly reviews, planning, and templates, with the option to create as many templates as needed, such as those for Atomic notes or reviews [(00:21:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1262s). - A separate folder is also used for rating, where mini essays and other written content are stored over time [(00:21:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1276s). ## Obsidian Tips [(00:21:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1284s) - To organize information in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], users can choose their own structure, with some people preferring an unstructured approach and others opting for a more organized system with folders, and it is essential to find a method that works best for each individual [(00:21:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1284s). - Obsidian is not considered a complicated tool, and its learning curve is not as steep as some people may think, especially for those familiar with other note-taking apps like [[Notion (productivity software) | Notion]] or Apple Notes, which are similar to Obsidian in that they are text editors with [[Markdown | markdown]] capabilities [(00:21:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1312s). - Understanding markdown is crucial for beginners, but it can be learned by searching for a "markdown cheat sheet" on Google, and with time, users will become accustomed to using it, making it easier to create and edit notes in Obsidian [(00:22:24)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1344s). - When it comes to plugins, it is recommended not to overcrowd the Vault with too many, as this can be distracting and unnecessary, and instead, users should focus on using the bare minimum of plugins required to take notes effectively [(00:22:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1376s). - The goal of using Obsidian is to take notes, and users should avoid trying to turn it into a content calendar, habit tracker, or to-do list, as there are other apps more suited for these tasks, such as Google Calendar or dedicated to-do list apps [(00:23:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1409s). - A clear separation between apps is recommended, with Obsidian being used solely for note-taking, and other tasks being handled by separate apps, to maintain focus and avoid distractions [(00:23:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1423s). - Being minimalistic and not focusing too much on plugins is advised, as this can help users avoid wasting time on customization and instead focus on taking notes and using [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] effectively [(00:24:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1450s). - The use of a limited number of plugins, such as a calendar checklist, custom font loader, and natural language dates, can be beneficial in enhancing the Obsidian experience without overwhelming the user [(00:24:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1458s). ## Graph View [(00:25:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1509s) - The graph view in Obsidian is a powerful visual tool that shows the connections between notes, helping to visualize how ideas are connected together and providing a bird's eye view of the knowledge base [(00:25:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1530s). - The graph view allows users to see clusters of information and identify unrelated concepts and ideas connecting to each other in unpredictable ways, as well as orphan notes that can be connected to the knowledge base and create new links [(00:25:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1543s). - The local graph view is helpful when working on a specific topic, as it enables users to focus on specific subjects and dive deeper into certain areas of study [(00:25:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1557s). - The graph view can make the note-taking process more engaging, as it allows users to see their "second brain" constantly evolving and growing, making the process feel more like a game [(00:26:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1563s). - Overall, the graph view is a valuable feature in [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] that can help users organize and connect their notes in a more visual and interactive way, making it easier to learn and retain information [(00:25:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck&t=1509s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onj0SuCedck)