Imagine it was impossible to suffer from shiny object syndrome with note-taking apps.

Already, it’s hard to even imagine — There are 101 different options everywhere you turn, all trying to convince you that their platform’s going to be the one that keeps you from straying and distracting yourself.

The truth is? They’re all right. So long as you build your system for work in the correct way.

Let me explain…

For a long time, before I was someone who taught personal knowledge management on the internet, I struggled with the process myself.

Back before I sat my A-level exams, I was trying to fit my notes into Notion, when really I should have been doing more repetitions of flashcards and past questions.

That was my first problem.

No app or system would have been right for me there, because I had no actual need for it.

So you have to ask yourself this question first: “Do I actually have the need for a note-taking system?”

If you do (i.e. you have work, a side hustle or project that needs you to generate ideas and output), then you’re okay with any system and app, so long as you build it up correctly. Once this is done, you’re not even going to want to try out another system or app out.

Since I’ve built PARAZETTEL, I’ve been entirely faithful to it as my primary system for notes.

Even when I’ve wanted to change things over (primarily to Apple Notes for the simplicity and integration with Mac and iPhone), it’s not even lasted an hour because of my realisation that I can’t simply just migrate everything over from Obsidian.

It’s become a limb of my thinking that I can’t simply chop off, and I want to teach you to get to the same point.

So I’ve put together a new video resource to help you do so…

Just the other day, I started sharing a video that walks you entirely through my system in Obsidian that has made it impossible for me to suffer from this distraction when working with knowledge.

Now even though it shows you the PARAZETTEL system inside Obsidian, this works with any system, in any app.

What’s more important is how you design the system and start building it in the first place.

Two of my most popular ideas are 1. Minimal Note-Taking, where I stress that an effective system balances between complexity and simplicity in the right place to be powerful enough for you to work, and simple enough so you don’t get confused, distracted and sidetracked.

And 2. The Evolution of a PKM System, where I compare developing a note-taking system the same way that biological evolution works — slowly, almost unnoticeable changes, slowly adapting better to the environment, which in the case of PKM is the work that needs to be done.

So long as you’re building and developing it in the right way, keeping things minimal, it’s going to seem like betrayal to leave if you commit to a system for long enough.

And that’s because it is. You’re going to have to move all your notes over, lose access to the shortcuts, workflows and workarounds you’ve built up over a long period of adaptation and evolution.

You don’t immediately pick up such native skills in the new app and system.

So stay in one place and remain patient, even if other apps and systems look attractive. Remember, you’re not ever going to ‘find’ the right PKM system for you. It’s something that you’re going to build over time.

I choose Obsidian, but it could be anywhere. Pick something that feels naturally aligned and effortless. Not necessarily something full of flashy features.

Thanks for reading!