“Writing to learn” is the best way to become an expert. And if it doesn’t make you an expert, it would make you smarter than you were. I’ve read about this theory. And in many cases, I’ve experienced the benefits. But one thing held me back from realizing “expert” status: …

A few weeks ago I committed to the analog Zettelkasten system. In some circles, this is known as an “Antinet.” I highly recommend reading Scott Scheper’s work on this. I will give this an honest effort for 90 days just to see if it’s something I want to continue doing…

Here’s where the true value can be found — Make your notes usable. You can do this by distilling them- stripping them of everything except the essential message. I recently took Tiago Forte’s cohort-based course titled “Building a Second Brain.” It was a great course that resulted in many lightbulb moments for me. …

Digital anything is supposed to make our lives easier. And for those who thrive on digital formats, I envy you. The digital platform is convenient and portable. Sometimes, just knowing your entire world is with you at the palm of your hands is a relief. But can “too much convenience”…

The beginning of the year is a time to figure out your big goals and objectives for the year. — But, this is just the first step. A critical one, but not the end. The magic is in the habit. Find a goal worth achieving. This is a no brainer. We all do this at the beginning of every year. But this is where your goals are at risk. …

Consistency. I’ve written about this before. The longer you’re consistent, the easier the task becomes. Matt D’Avela has a rule called “The 2-Day Rule.” If you’re trying to form a habit, do not let 2 days pass without performing the task. …

I am a visual learner. Many people I’ve met are visual learners. The ones who aren’t visual learners are just in denial. I’ve embraced this “flaw” and haven’t looked back. …

The pen is mightier than the sword. Pen and paper have been the medium of transferring thought for over two millennia. That has to mean something. I’ve been back and forth about this. I love the easy search function a digital system provides. But that’s typically where the love ends…

Making mistakes is an inevitable part of life. We all make them, and it’s how we learn from them that makes the difference. Every mistake teaches us something new, and helps us grow into better people. …