## Intro [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=0s) - Building a [[Personal knowledge management | Personal Knowledge Management]] (PKM) system is recommended, even if one's needs do not perfectly fit a specific tool like [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] [(00:00:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=8s). - A free 5-day course called PKM Kickstart is available for those new to the PKM journey, covering key mindsets, information, and questions to ask when starting with Personal Knowledge Management [(00:00:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=31s). - The PKM Kickstart course is delivered via email, with one email per day, and is suitable for those trying out different tools like Obsidian, [[Bear]], or other notes apps [(00:00:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=34s). - The course aims to help individuals start their PKM journey by providing essential information and guidance [(00:00:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=40s). - The PKM Kickstart course can be signed up for in the description below, and it is designed for those looking to build a PKM system [(00:00:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=51s). ## What is PKM [(00:00:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=55s) - A PKM system is a valuable tool for [[Personal knowledge management | personal knowledge management]], and many people are likely already using some form of it, even if it's not fully developed or organized in a specific tool like [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] [(00:00:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=56s). - PKM stands for Personal Knowledge Management, which is a mindset and process for storing and retrieving relevant information in a way that makes sense to the individual [(00:01:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=80s). - At its core, PKM is about managing information in a personalized and meaningful way, whether through a complex system or simple, default apps [(00:01:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=89s). - PKM systems can vary greatly in complexity and scope, ranging from a detailed, organized system in a tool like Obsidian or Logseq, to a more basic approach using default phone apps like Photos and Mail [(00:01:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=104s). - The key aspect of PKM is that it is tailored to the individual's needs and preferences, allowing them to store and retrieve information in a way that is intuitive and effective for them [(00:01:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=93s). ## How to define PKM [(00:02:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=127s) - A [[Personal knowledge management | PKM]] system is defined as the apps, tools, and processes needed to store and retrieve information, while PKM overall is an approach to managing information intentionally [(00:02:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=136s). - To build a PKM system, it's essential to start with a good foundation of mindset and then figure out what types of information you want to retrieve and store more intentionally [(00:02:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=157s). - The goal of a PKM system is to avoid the collector's fallacy, where you accumulate information without a clear purpose, leading to digital clutter [(00:02:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=174s). - PKM is about the intentional gathering and storing of information so that you can use it at a later point in time [(00:03:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=211s). - Examples of information that can be stored in a PKM system include health records, highlights or quotes from a book, ideas or thoughts, and blog posts [(00:03:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=217s). - A PKM system can store any type of information that can be stored in a digital format [(00:03:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=231s). ## Level 1 Default [(00:04:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=240s) - A [[Personal knowledge management | PKM]] system can be categorized into five levels, with the first level being referred to as the "default" level, which is an arbitrary grouping that may vary based on individual perspectives [(00:04:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=240s). - The default level of a PKM system is characterized by the use of readily available tools, such as the photos app on a phone, the default mail app, synced tabs and tab groups in a browser, and built-in browser features like article saving [(00:04:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=255s). - At this level, users have some intention behind their actions, but it is not intentional enough to build into a specific system or process, and they rely on the tools available to them by default [(00:04:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=273s). - Examples of default level PKM system usage include saving photos to a photo roll, clipping articles using a browser's built-in feature, and saving articles to a list to read later without a specific process in place [(00:04:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=287s). - It is worth noting that some individuals who are building more complicated and intentional PKM systems may still utilize these default tools, highlighting that the approach to using the tools is more important than the tools themselves [(00:05:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=309s). ## Level 2 File Folder [(00:05:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=315s) - A PKM ([[Personal knowledge management | Personal Knowledge Management]]) system's second level is the file folder system, where users organize files on their hard drive or cloud solution, focusing on saving PDFs, Word Documents, and other files, with most people likely using this setup [(00:05:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=315s). - This level is considered a basic PKM system, with users putting stuff into an organizational system and mostly focused on saving files [(00:05:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=333s). - The next level, level three, is the notes app level, which includes apps like [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] Notes, [[Bear]], Drafts, [[Evernote]], and Joplin, where users start keeping different types of information, such as PDFs, notes, ideas, and audio recordings [(00:06:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=364s). - At this level, users need two or more layers of organizational information, such as folders and tags, to keep track of their information [(00:06:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=394s). - Tools at this level, except for Bear, offer both files or folders and tagging opportunities, as well as features to get information into them [(00:07:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=420s). - Users need to be intentional about what goes into the system, why it's there, and how it's organized, and ultimately how to retrieve it later [(00:07:26)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=446s). - Level four is the linked thought level, where users start getting into multiple categories for organization, and tools like [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]], Logseq, and Heptabase are used to connect ideas and thoughts in a meaningful way [(00:07:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=457s). - Linked thought tools are good for exploring undefined knowledge and connections, and are helpful for students, researchers, content creators, and creative writers [(00:08:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=503s). - Users need to be intentional when using linked thinking tools, as they can't just throw something in and expect it to be retrievable, and need to develop connections over time [(00:09:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=552s). ## Level 5 Research Learning Oasis [(00:09:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=588s) - Level 5 Research and Learning Oasis is an interconnected web of tools that integrate with each other to form a comprehensive system for research and learning, including tools like Obsidian, Readwise, Reader, [[Zotero]], and Devon Think [(00:09:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=588s). - This level of system is often considered a [[Personal knowledge management | Personal Knowledge Management]] (PKM) system, allowing users to utilize different tools for specific tasks, as each tool excels in a particular area [(00:10:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=622s). - For example, [[Obsidian (software) | Obsidian]] may not be the best tool for reading later, which is why Readwise Reader is used instead, and citations are stored in Zotero, as it is not necessarily the best option for Obsidian [(00:10:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=629s). - To reach this level, users need to have a solid understanding of their needs and the problems they are trying to solve, and consider whether they really need the complexity of a PKM system [(00:10:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=648s). - Building a PKM system should not be overly complicated, especially for beginners, as excessive complexity can lead to frustration and decreased usage [(00:11:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=661s). - The value of a PKM system lies in its ability to manage the vast amount of digital information and help users intentionally capture meaningful information while letting irrelevant information pass [(00:11:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=696s). - A well-designed PKM system can make a significant difference in managing digital information and capturing meaningful content [(00:11:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk&t=714s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF0kgxujtDk?si=_68m-tCTYi-3lniE)