

#521
Mentioned in 34 episodes
How to Take Smart Notes
One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking – for Students, Academics and Nonfiction Book Writers
Book • 2017
This book introduces the Zettelkasten method, a note-taking system developed by Niklas Luhmann.
It emphasizes the importance of creating a reliable and simple external structure to compensate for the limitations of our brains.
Ahrens explains how to organize notes in a way that fosters deep thinking, learning, and writing.
The method involves taking atomic notes, linking ideas, and using a slip-box to store and connect these notes.
This approach helps in developing a lifelong pool of rich and interconnected ideas, enhancing productivity, and improving critical thinking and writing skills.
It emphasizes the importance of creating a reliable and simple external structure to compensate for the limitations of our brains.
Ahrens explains how to organize notes in a way that fosters deep thinking, learning, and writing.
The method involves taking atomic notes, linking ideas, and using a slip-box to store and connect these notes.
This approach helps in developing a lifelong pool of rich and interconnected ideas, enhancing productivity, and improving critical thinking and writing skills.
Mentioned by




















Mentioned in 34 episodes
Mentioned by 

in relation to the Zettelkasten method of note-taking.


Cal Newport

1,534 snips
Ep. 284: Feel-Good Productivity (w/ Ali Abdaal)
Mentioned by 

in the context of learning about PKM and Zettelkasten.


Bob Doto

302 snips
209: A System for Writing, with Bob Doto
Mentioned by 

as a book that resulted in real behavior change in his life and learning.


Dave Stachowiak

70 snips
564: Make Your Reading More Meaningful, with Sönke Ahrens
Mentioned by 

as a book he read in January and recommends.


Cal Newport

60 snips
Ep. 174: CALLS: Thinking for Yourself
Mentioned by 

in relation to the Zettelkasten method.


Mike Schmitz

60 snips
203: Hidden Genius by Polina Marinova Pompliano
Recommended in the Bookworm Club and discussed by Joe and Mike for its note-taking system.

53 snips
68: How to Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens
Mentioned when discussing a note-taking methodology.

52 snips
Ep. 61: How Should I Tackle Big Projects?
Mentioned by 

as a fantastic book on taking smart notes, relevant to setting up a system for spontaneous discoveries.


Tim Rocktäschel

51 snips
Open-Ended AI: The Key to Superhuman Intelligence? - Prof. Tim Rocktäschel
Mentioned by 

when discussing his note-taking system, the Zettelkasten method.


Srini Rao

51 snips
Ep. 121: Is Writing Everyday Overrated? (with Srini Rao)
Mentioned by 

for improving reading comprehension and note-taking.


Dave Stachowiak

49 snips
666: Get People Reading What You’re Sending, with Todd Rogers


Mike Schmitz

43 snips
96: Triggers by Marshall Goldsmith
Mentioned by 

when discussing his note-taking system.


Cal Newport

43 snips
Ep. 165: Why Are We Burnt Out?
Mentioned by 

as a book he plans to reread because of his use of Roam Research.


Mike Schmitz

38 snips
94: Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
Mentioned by 

as a source of information on recall, testing, and spacing in the context of note-taking.


Ali Abdaal

34 snips
#231 - Ali Abdaal - How To Learn & Remember Anything, Fast
Mentioned by 

as a staple for learning about Zettelkasten and smart note-taking.


Malik Ali Mokeddem

32 snips
Bob Doto: The Genie of the Zettelkasten Subreddit
Mentioned by 

as a book on note-taking and personal knowledge management.


Ali Abdaal

27 snips
The Highs And Lows Of Being A Viral Sensation - Max Fosh
Mentioned by 

as a book he is currently reading.


Mike Schmitz

23 snips
95: Stillness is the Key by Ryan Holiday
Mentioned by 

in the context of personal knowledge management systems.


Oliver Burkeman

23 snips
#130: Oliver Burkeman - An Imperfectionist's Guide to Overcoming Distraction and Finding Creative Flow, Writing NonFiction
Recommended by 

as a book that explores timeless ideas relevant even after many years.


Jay Clouse

19 snips
[REPLAY] #35: David Perell – How "The Writing Guy" thinks about Twitter, education, and creating your own games
Mentioned by 

as a book about the Zettelkasten note-taking method.


Cal Newport

17 snips
Ep. 172: CALLS: The Books I Read in January 2022