Core premise
Writing is not a final step after thinking; it is the thinking. Build a system that continuously converts reading and ideas into interconnected notes, and writing becomes a natural by-product.
1. The four types of notes
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Fleeting notes
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Quick, temporary capture of ideas.
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Unstructured, incomplete.
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Must be processed within 24–48 hours.
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Literature notes
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Written while reading.
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Summarize ideas in your own words.
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One idea per note; include source reference.
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Permanent (smart) notes
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Atomic, self-contained, and precise.
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Written as if for a future reader (including your future self).
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Stored in the main system and linked to other notes.
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Project notes
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Task- or project-specific.
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Not part of the core knowledge system.
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2. The Zettelkasten principles
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Atomicity: One idea per note.
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Connectivity: Every note links to other relevant notes.
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Context over hierarchy: No rigid folders; meaning comes from links.
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Bottom-up structure: Structure emerges from notes, not upfront outlines.
3. Writing permanent notes (the most important step)
A good permanent note:
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Makes one clear claim or concept
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Is written in complete sentences
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Explains the idea without referring back to the source
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Explicitly states why it matters
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Links to at least one other note
Example:
“Intrinsic motivation is more sustainable than extrinsic motivation because it reduces dependency on external rewards.”
4. From notes to writing
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Writing is rearranging and expanding existing notes, not starting from a blank page.
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Outlines emerge by clustering linked notes.
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Gaps become visible automatically through missing links.
5. Why this system works
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Reduces cognitive overload.
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Prevents forgetting.
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Encourages original thinking instead of copying.
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Compounds knowledge over time.
6. Common mistakes
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Copying text verbatim.
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Creating long, essay-like notes.
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Over-organizing folders.
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Treating note-taking as archiving rather than thinking.
7. Tools (tool-agnostic)
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Can be paper-based or digital.
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Popular digital tools: Obsidian, Logseq, Roam, Notion (with discipline).
One-line takeaway
Don’t take notes to store information; take notes to generate thinking and future writing.
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