Section 1.1: Personal Knowledge Management

Readwise

Maximize your reading experience with Readwise.

Readwise continues to be my primary tool, as it’s vital to my overall workflow. Essentially, it gathers highlights and notes from various platforms into a single, organized hub. I've linked it to my Kindle for book highlights and Readwise Reader for online content.

Every day, it seamlessly compiles my notes and transfers them to Roam, my preferred note-taking application. This automated process makes it effortless for me.

For avid readers, Readwise is indispensable, especially if you want to utilize your notes in your writing. In addition to its import and export functionalities, Readwise features a Daily Review—an email showcasing random highlights, promoting knowledge retention over time.

For further insights, see my detailed guide on Readwise and its integration into my system.

🆕 Readwise Reader

Time-shift your content consumption.

The newly introduced Readwise Reader allows for easy saving of interesting articles, videos, or recipes encountered while browsing. This app promotes a habit of 'time-shifting', encouraging users to revisit saved content rather than reacting immediately.

This practice helps escape the cycle of constant distraction, which depletes time and energy. I can now browse my collection of saved articles whenever I have a moment, synchronizing between my iPhone and iPad.

As I read, I highlight key parts, which are then automatically sent to Roam, thanks to Readwise.

🛑 Instapaper

I have replaced Instapaper with Readwise Reader as my go-to read-later app. While Instapaper is a solid service, the integration with Readwise made this transition sensible.

Roam Research + 🆕 Roam iOS App

Use it for note-taking and brainstorming.

Over the past year, Roam Research has become increasingly significant to my workflow. It serves as my personal library, allowing me to collect and connect information effortlessly.

Roam is a 'notes tool designed for networked thought', perfect for organizing eBooks, article highlights, and personal notes. Recently, I’ve started using it for brainstorming and drafting outlines for new articles.

The seamless addition of notes is one of Roam's strengths. Unlike Notion, there's no cumbersome folder structure to navigate; notes simply go into the Daily Notes page, fostering connections between ideas that might otherwise be overlooked.

The introduction of the mobile app earlier this year has reduced my reliance on Apple Notes, enabling me to jot down thoughts directly in Roam. While Roam may have its flaws, I appreciate the system I've established and have no immediate plans to switch to alternatives like Obsidian.

I’ve elaborated on my effective use of Roam in my work and am preparing a post on utilizing it for brainstorming and ideation.

Dropbox

Centralize your digital files.

Dropbox is a familiar tool for digital file storage, allowing access to documents from any location. I organize my files using the P.A.R.A. method—Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archive—an approach developed by productivity expert Tiago Forte.

This structure has alleviated the overwhelm of scattered documents on my computer. I’ve extended this filing system across all my digital platforms, including emails, for efficient retrieval.

While I find Dropbox somewhat pricey and infrequently used, I value having a secure space for my files.

Section 1.2: Productivity Tools

Notion

Task and project management made easy.

Notion positions itself as an all-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, wikis, and databases. I utilize it for a variety of purposes, including:

• Daily, weekly, and monthly task management
• Goal setting and tracking
• Content management for book and article ideas
• Travel planning
• Gift ideas

My comprehensive posts on using Notion and Roam for personal knowledge management are available for further reading.

Learning Notion has been a journey for me, primarily through free YouTube tutorials. Now, I’m ready to elevate my Notion skills by enrolling in Notion Mastery, a self-paced course by Marie Poulin.

🆕 Loom

Capture quick screen recordings.

Loom is a new addition to my toolkit for recording quick videos of my screen and webcam. I started using it for a public speaking course, and it proved invaluable for visually explaining concepts without the need for a call.

I plan to leverage Loom for personal projects, like sharing feedback with writing colleagues or creating tutorials.

Done

Simplify habit tracking.

Done has been my habit tracking companion for years. Its colorful, user-friendly interface allows for quick progress checks. Initially, I used it for specific goals, but now I focus on tracking broader systems.

Tracking habits can be motivating, as visual proof of progress often inspires continuation.

CleanshotX

Effortless screen capturing.

CleanshotX offers a variety of screenshot functionalities for Mac users, making it a time-saver for both personal and professional tasks. It allows for instant saving and sharing of screenshots, as well as GIF creation.

🆕 Otter.ai

Transcribe your thoughts.

Otter.ai has emerged as my go-to transcription tool for voice notes, enhancing my brainstorming sessions during walks. It allows for easy editing and playback, making it a valuable asset in work environments.

Otter is becoming increasingly integral to my note-taking process as I strive to spend more time away from screens.

🛑 Freedom

I have discontinued my use of Freedom, which was once my favorite site-blocking tool. It became cumbersome to manage, and I've found that simply keeping my phone out of the workspace is my most effective distraction-free strategy.