Ep. 287: Minimalist Notes

1262 snips

Feb 12, 2024

Discover the art of minimalist note-taking to combat information overload. Explore strategies to organize ideas and tackle distractions, including a unique corner marking method. Dive into how ADHD individuals can transform focus challenges into strengths. Embrace the concept of 'slow productivity' for better mental well-being, allowing longer time frames for tasks. Uncover the importance of effective communication in enhancing teamwork and hear reflections on the joy of building community through bookstores.

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ADVICE

Minimize Note-Taking Friction

Minimize friction in your note-taking system to capture more important information.
Prioritize simplicity over complexity to reduce barriers to action.

ADVICE

Corner Marking Method

Use the corner marking method for book notes: mark the page corner and relevant passages.
This low-friction method helps reconstitute key ideas years later.

ADVICE

Project-Based Notes

Store project notes directly within the project's workspace for easy access.
This also helps refresh your mental picture of the project as your notes grow.

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Slow Productivity

The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout

Cal Newport

In this book, Cal Newport draws on the habits and mindsets of historical figures like Galileo, Isaac Newton, Jane Austen, and Georgia O’Keefe to propose a new approach to productivity. He argues against the modern culture of 'pseudo-productivity,' where busyness is mistaken for actual productivity. Instead, Newport advocates for 'slow productivity,' which involves doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality. The book combines cultural criticism with practical advice to help readers transform their work habits and achieve more sustainable and meaningful accomplishments.

Empire of Pain

The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty

Ricard Gil

Patrick Radden Keefe

Empire of Pain is a comprehensive and damning narrative about the Sackler family, who built their pharmaceutical empire through aggressive marketing and questionable ethics. The book traces the family's history from their early success with tranquilizers like Librium and Valium to the devastating impact of OxyContin, which contributed significantly to the opioid crisis. Keefe's work is based on extensive research and exposes the family's ruthless business tactics, their influence on medical and governmental bodies, and their attempts to evade accountability for the harm caused by their products.

Attention Span

Finding Focus for a Fulfilling Life

Gloria Mark

The Sabbath

Abraham Joshua Heschel

In this classic work, Heschel argues that Judaism is a religion of time rather than space, and that the Sabbath is central to this concept. He describes the Sabbath as an 'architecture of holiness' in time, a day that offers a taste of the Kingdom of God and a repudiation of the materialistic and frenetic aspects of modern life. Heschel emphasizes the importance of observing the Sabbath as a command rather than a license, highlighting its role in declaring allegiance to God and in fostering a sense of inner liberty and spiritual communion[2][3][4].