META: The adventurous
note-taking system

I'm a hopelessly disorganized AuDHD Computer Nerd. I've been struggling to find a truly helpful way to organizing my thoughts, my notes, and my life. That gets out of my way so I can simply think without having to solve endless problems while being creative.

Two simple ideas that have impacted my digital life in deeply tangible ways:

1) A popular note-taking and file-organization technique, 'The PARA Method' by Tiago Forte.
2) The best companion application for anyone who takes notes digitally, blogs, or develops websites and software; Obsidian.

Google defines this as:
"P.A.R.A. stands for Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archives and is a system designed by Tiago Forte to organize your tasks, projects, files, and notes. By using four categories, the framework can easily be implemented in a variety of different applications. From a task manager over a file system to a note-taking app."

The gist is to make a simple folder structure, never more than one level deep. It contains all text files in on your device, in supposedly aptly named folders. The folder names are supposed to instantly speak to their utility. For me though, they sound vague and create questions, rather than answer them. So I renamed this method and folder structure to fit my brain. Hence M.E.T.A.

You can follow along using the concepts laid out in 'The PARA Method' video on Tiago Forte's official YouTube channel and apply his exact method; or choose mine only if it suits you.

1) I relabeled to folders and resulting acronym from 'P.A.R.A.' to  'M.E.T.A. - The Adventurous Note-Taking System'

Missions

    - Projects, ideas, and brainstorms ongoing.

Engagements

    - Non-negotiable obligations and routines in your life (Work, Religion, etc)

Treasures

    - Your personal encyclopedia of knowledge shaped by your identity and experiences.

Artifacts

    - Notes and one-offs you don't want to see everyday, but still don't want to throw away.

2) The software is called Obsidian. It's available through installers and as standalone programs on all three major Operating Systems. It's beyond extensible and molds to fit the needs of the user, yet is simple and straight forward enough to welcome newbies. The creator's tagline is "Sharpen your thinking". The main benefit? You never have to remember to save. Ever. What you type is what is always in the file on disk. 

The main reasons for my redesign, are that the folder names make more sense this way, and feel cohesive with the acronym M.E.T.A. Because after all, this is supposed become your 'second brain', a true meta-cognition, helping you organize all of your thoughts externally, so as a relieve the burden and place bread crumbs for easy recall and retrieval without having to sort through endless file structures.

Another benefit when combining Obsidian with his revamped method, is that Obsidian allows searches to be made easily. Both by filename, and by contents of the file itself. Search your second-brain with a query, and finding the missing information within seconds, allows the process of creative express to flow unhindered. 

No matter which naming scheme you choose, this is two simple ways to elevate your note taking. There are a lot more methods and apps to choose than just these. Google at your own risk. I went down several rabbit holes and spent probably a month overthinking these things. If you're also AuDHD, you're probably going to do the same thing anyways... I could go on, but let's keep it understated. 

What are some things that slow down your productivity?

(Image by chaylek)