This productivity hack comes with an asterisk | Tiago Forte
whatshot 5 snips
Oct 16, 2025
Tiago Forte explores a fascinating topic: what happens when we stop relying on our productivity tools. He emphasizes the importance of context in note-taking, revealing that it can either distract or enhance presence during conversations. Forte shares how he finds creativity while walking by using different methods to capture inspiration. He argues that mindful note-taking can boost focus rather than hinder it. Ultimately, he invites listeners to rethink their relationship with productivity tools.
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insights INSIGHT
Tools Become Crutches
Every tool or hack you rely on can become a crutch over time.
Temporarily removing conveniences reveals your adaptability and self-knowledge.
insights INSIGHT
Note-Taking Depends On Life Season
The usefulness of note-taking depends on your life season and context.
Forte leans on knowledge management most during intense change or information overload.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Notes Distracted Meeting Guests
Tiago used to take digital notes during face-to-face meetings and noticed people seemed distracted.
He prioritized making others feel heard over perfectly documenting every detail.
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This productivity hack comes with an asterisk, explains note-taking guru Tiago Forte.
What would you learn about yourself if you temporarily stopped using the tools that make your life easier?
That’s the main question in this Big Think video with author Tiago Forte, who describes what happened when he changed the way he took digital notes.
The utility of note-taking depends on the context, Forte says. During face-to-face conversations, he found that taking notes was helpful for him, but it came at the cost of being less connected to the person in front of him. In contrast, taking notes while he’s by himself — walking around a city, for example — is more beneficial, and often ends up influencing his work in a positive way.
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About Tiago Forte:
Tiago Forte is one of the world’s foremost experts on productivity. He has taught more than 20,000 people worldwide through his programs and writes and speaks on how technology can help knowledge workers revolutionize their personal effectiveness.
Tiago’s online course, Building a Second Brain, has produced more than 5,000 graduates from over 70 countries. The course draws on his experience in academic disciplines such as information science, practical fields such as user experience design, and his work with top organizations and leaders in Silicon Valley. Tiago believes knowledge management is one of the most impactful skills in the world today, and his work is dedicated to making it accessible to individuals for the first time.
In a previous life, he worked in microfinance in Latin America, served in the Peace Corps in Ukraine, and consulted for large companies on product development in San Francisco. He lives in Long Beach, California, with his wife Lauren, son Caio, and dog Ximena.
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Big Think