# Recommendations on building a second brain Created On: 01-06-2023 05:02 pm Up:: [[My Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) (MOC)]] Tags:: #note/evergreen🌲 Topics:: [[Second Brain]] Related:: --- I originally shared the message below with [[Steve Konieczka]] on the topic of how and where to start exploring a building a second brain. I figured it'd be a good resource that I could keep on hand to share with others who may be interested. **The Philosophy/Mindset** - Books - [Building A Second Brain](https://www.amazon.com/Building-Second-Brain-Organize-Potential-ebook/dp/B09LVVN9L3/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1673040568&sr=8-1) by Tiago Forte - More practical focus on the process and systems. - [How To Take Smart Notes](https://www.amazon.com/How-Take-Smart-Notes-Technique-ebook/dp/B09V5M8FR5/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=how+to+take+smart+notes+s%C3%B6nke+ahrens&qid=1673040606&sprefix=how+to+take+sma%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1) by Sönke Ahrens - more academic, generally expository/less “how to”, the examples and sources behind his arguments are excellent. I'd read Tiago's first and then come back to this one if you remain interested. - Videos - [Book Summary](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-ssUVyfn5g&ab_channel=AliAbdaal) (15 min) - I think Ali Abdaal does a good job pitching, explaining, and summarizing the book at a high-level in 15 minutes. - He does gloss over PARA, which is one of the primary second brain organization methods. Tiago has a series of articles on that [topic in the blog](https://fortelabs.com/blog/para/). - Ali Abdaal's Interview with Tiago - this is a strong “why it matters” dialogue - [Abridged Version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX85EDqTeG0&ab_channel=DeepDivewithAliAbdaal) (11 min) - [Full Version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggLHkAq6JLY) (1.5 hour) - ["Finding your notes app"](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVNXAaej57W7fbYoc_XJ0bA0T3k_Ye-Q2) series by Tiago - a good way to discover what notes app makes sense for you to house your second brain based on your "archetype". - [Podcast](https://www.buildingasecondbrain.com/podcast) - Tiago and his guest explore the primary components of building a second brain in-depth - If you’re willing to dive deeper, but not deep enough for the book, this is what I’d reach for beyond the above video. - I have several notes in my second brain that I took from this podcast series early on **The Tools** - [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/) - my personal second brain app of choice. - I do use [Obsidian Sync](https://obsidian.md/sync) since I sync my Second Brain across my work and personal computers, an iPad, and my iPhone. - This YouTuber is a great resource and they have a [“Getting Started with Obsidian”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUrOfIqvGS4&list=PL-1Nqb2waX4Vba6QDVS5rhnSb9pZGTO4b&ab_channel=NicolevanderHoeven) series that I bet is good! - [Readwise](https://readwise.io/) - I use this to sync highlights from all over (Kindle, articles, and more) into Obsidian via the Readwise community plugin - [Readwise Reader](https://readwise.io/read) - A new “read it later app” like Pocket or Instapaper, but it syncs with Readwise natively (companion) and lands in Obsidian. I use this as a hub for basically reading the majority of digital content now.