Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) is about building a second brain—a trusted system where your notes, ideas, and references live so you can use them later.
Unlike bookmarking everything and forgetting it, PKM helps you capture, connect, and create knowledge that compounds over time.
Why PKM matters
In the age of information overload, we consume far more than we remember. Articles, podcasts, videos, and conversations disappear unless we actively process them into knowledge.
A good PKM system ensures your ideas don’t vanish and instead fuel your learning, projects, and creativity.
The Three C’s of PKM
-
Capture
Quickly save ideas, quotes, highlights, or insights. Add context (why it matters, where you found it) so it isn’t just a dead fragment. -
Connect
Link notes together by themes or concepts. For example, connect a book quote on creativity to your project notes on design. Always add a sentence about why the link exists. -
Create
Use your network of notes to make something new: blog posts, videos, talks, strategies, or personal decisions.
PKM isn’t about stockpiling—it’s about shipping.
A simple PKM setup
You don’t need a complicated system or dozens of apps. Start small:
- One notes app you trust → Obsidian, Logseq, Notion, or plain Markdown.
- A fast capture method → Hotkeys, mobile quick-capture, or even emailing yourself.
- A weekly review → Spend 30 minutes tidying notes, merging duplicates, and stitching connections.
Practical workflows
- Templates → Standardize how you capture book notes, meeting notes, or project briefs.
- Maps of Content (MOCs) → Create hub pages listing your key topics like productivity, health, or design.
- Purposeful tags → Use tags for people, projects, or statuses (
#status/in-progress), not every word.
Keep it durable
Your system should last years, not months. To make it future-proof:
- Prefer open formats like Markdown or plain text.
- Back up regularly (cloud or local).
- Always write in your own words—summaries beat copy-paste highlights.
Leveling up your PKM
Once you’re comfortable, you can explore advanced methods:
- Zettelkasten → Atomic notes with unique IDs linked into a knowledge web.
- Progressive summarization → Layered highlights (bold, summaries, takeaways) to resurface key insights.
- Idea pipelines → Track notes as they move from raw capture → refined → draft → published.
The payoff
PKM helps you:
- Remember what you learn.
- Spot hidden connections.
- Turn curiosity into output faster.
It’s not about flashy tools or endless tagging—it’s about creating a living knowledge system that supports your projects, career, and creativity.
Start small. Capture daily, connect weekly, create monthly.
Over time, your second brain will grow into your most valuable asset.
