In today's world, which is full of information, the ability to memorize and use it effectively is an invaluable skill. It is easy to remember individual facts, but creating from them a solid and flexible system of knowledge is more difficult.
In this article, we'll talk about an effective method that will help “sort everything out”.
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What's the method
The Zettelkasten method is a system for organizing and storing knowledge developed by German sociologist Niklas Luhmann. The name comes from the German words “Zettel” and “Kasten”, which literally translates as “note box”. This method helps to effectively manage information and contributes to the development of creative thinking.
Features of the Zettelkasten method
#1. Idea cards
The main principle of the method is to create small notes, each containing one idea. This allows you to focus on key points and makes it easier to find information.
#2. Clicking on links
Each note connects to others through unique identifiers or links. This creates a network of ideas, making information navigation easy and straightforward.
#3. Everything is interconnected
Notes can be organized by topic or category, but the main focus is on their relationship to each other. This contributes to a more flexible approach to the organization of the material.
#4. Constant update
The method involves regularly adding new notes and revising old ones, which helps keep information relevant and stimulates the “emergence” of new ideas.
#5. Creative approach to work
Thanks to the flexible connections between the cards, Zettelkasten contributes to the generation of interesting hypotheses and spontaneous insights, which is especially useful for scientific research and creative projects.
How the Zettelkasten method works
In the Zettelkasten method, each card is assigned a unique identifier consisting of numbers, letters and punctuation marks. This makes it easy to organize and find information. For example, the first card might be labeled “1". The second card, if it is not related to the first one in meaning, will have the number “2". If you create a note that is somehow related to the first card, it is numbered “1.1”. You can use the “1.1a” symbol to add a comment or additional information to this note. This numbering system allows you to expand the catalog in any direction and maintain complex links between records.
This approach ensures that the entire structure is flexible and dynamic, allowing the user to easily add new ideas and find unexpected connections between different concepts. The result is an extensive network of interconnected records that contribute to a deeper understanding of the material and stimulates creative thinking.
How the Zettelkasten method helps you remember
Easy to understand and remember
The division of information into separate ideas and their subsequent development contributes to a better understanding of the material.
Thoughtful approach
Creating links between records requires active participation. This improves memorization and can lead to new thoughts.
Just a little bit
Breaking information into small parts reduces cognitive load, making it easier to remember.
Creative process
Finding connections between different ideas can lead to new insights and a deeper understanding of the topic.
Why you should choose this method
#1. “Remember Everything” mission
With the advent of a structured filing cabinet, the process of consuming content is turning into targeted work. When creating records, you need to carefully study the information, highlighting only those ideas that really deserve attention.
When we bookmark a book or copy a quote we like into notes, we usually forget about it right away. The Zettelkasten method works differently. With him, there is no feeling that a lesson or a book you read will disappear without a trace “on the margins” of memory.
#2. Go on... into long-term memory
It is known that taking notes contributes to a better assimilation of the material. But this process can be made even more productive by replacing the linear approach to note taking with a nonlinear approach (as suggested by the Zettelkasten method). Research shows that creating concept maps requires significant cognitive effort. The selection, analysis and organization of material contributes to the transfer of information from short-term memory to long-term memory.
#3. EUREKA!
Austin Cleon, author of Steal Like an Artist, is one of the main proponents of creative borrowing. He argues that there are no truly new and original projects — they are all created on the basis of existing material. In this context, the Zettelkasten method is becoming an ideal tool for developing new ideas based on existing knowledge. It helps to identify connections between different ideas, which often leads to insights.
#4. Quickly and efficiently
If you have a specific goal, for example, preparing for an exam or writing a text, the Zettelkasten method will help you achieve it faster. First, it offers a well-organized process for searching and selecting information, which will automate actions. Secondly, knowledge will be learned more efficiently.
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