In this episode of the Digital Fitness Podcast, host Lykle de Vries and co-founder Mark Meinema sit down with Bob Doto, author of A System for Writing and an expert in personal knowledge management, to explore the transformative role of Zettelkasten. Bob explains why getting lost in your notes is not a problem but a creative opportunity, how letting go of structure can spark new insights, and why a good system supports you without micromanaging your process. This conversation dives into the heart of creativity, making it a must-listen for anyone curious about rethinking how they organize ideas and information.

Takeaways:

 • Embracing the power of “getting lost” in your notes.
 • Why Zettelkasten is about creativity, not perfection.
 • Practical first steps for starting your own Zettelkasten.
 • The difference between systems for storage and systems for discovery.

And for those of you who want to do a truly deep dive into Zettelkasten and would like to make actual good use of their system for personal knowledge management: he’s organising a course on building and making good use of your Zettelkasten.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Digital Fitness

02:37 Understanding Personal Knowledge Management

06:03 Measuring Success in Personal Knowledge Management

09:28 The Allure of Zettelkasten

12:13 Writing as a Focus in PKM

14:21 Translating PKM to Corporate Environments

17:51 Defining Zettelkasten

20:14 Digital Awareness and Information Skills

25:22 Challenges in Education and PKM Adoption

30:40 Practical Steps for Educators

35:06 The Role of Education in Creativity

37:52 Understanding Zettelkasten: A Practical Approach

43:58 Overcoming Challenges in the Zettelkasten Process

48:02 Starting with Zettelkasten: Baby Steps

52:59 The Impact of AI on Knowledge Management

54:58 Reflections on the Book and Its Reception