Introduction

Here, I provide an overview of my Personal Knowledge Management System (PKMS).

The tools I employ are just one facet of the system. In addition, there are:

• Conventions & structures
• Activities
• Processes, workflows, systems, and habits
• Templates and automation

While I won't delve into all these elements here, my focus will be on the tools and the flow of information within my system. For a deeper understanding of Knowledge Management, you can check out my course:

Overview

Below is a simplified representation of my PKM System, illustrating how information flows:

Key Points

1. Tools: RSS feeds (Feedly), Bookmarks, Social Media, Readwise, ReMarkable, VoiceNotes AI, Obsidian.
2. Process and Workflow: Curating, Consuming, Capturing, Distilling, Organizing, Connecting, Creating, Reusing, and Sharing information.
3. Centralization: Obsidian serves as the primary hub for all knowledge.
4. Outcome: A powerful Knowledge Graph that I can utilize.

Tools in My Knowledge Management System

• Exploration: RSS feeds in Feedly, daily Bookmarks (e.g., Hacker News), Social media (e.g., X, BlueSky, Mastodon), etc.
• Curation + Consumption: Readwise, books, etc.
• Capture: Paper and e-Paper using my ReMarkable for analog notes, VoiceNotes AI for voice recordings, Obsidian.
• Distill, Organize, Connect, Develop, and Create: Obsidian.
• Share: Obsidian Publish, My Blog, Notion, etc.

In addition, I utilize:

• Syncthing to sync notes across devices.
• Obsidian Smart Connections plugin for interactive note engagement.
• ChatGPT.
• Claude.
• A whiteboard.

Single Source of Truth

Regardless of how I gather information, all my knowledge is stored in Obsidian, my preferred Tool for Thought (TfT). It serves as my Single Source of Truth (SSOT) for knowledge management, where I centralize, distill, organize, connect, develop, and create.

The structure, templates, and automation I use in Obsidian are derived from the Obsidian Starter Kit:

Sources to Explore

These are the key sources I rely on for inspiration and valuable content. I select them thoughtfully, adhering to the principle of "Garbage in, Garbage out (GIGO)." In Feedly, I follow around 1,000 RSS feeds loosely, along with various individuals on social media (mainly X, BlueSky, and Mastodon). I utilize X Pro for managing these feeds and maintain a browser folder of bookmarks for frequently visited sites.

I periodically explore these sources and curate useful information. When I find something valuable, I add it to Readwise (articles, tweets, videos, etc.) or another list (like my reading list). I prefer not to consume content immediately, as this can often lead to procrastination. Instead, I consume at a time that aligns with my goals.

Curated Content

I aim to centralize the content I wish to consume in Readwise. For other types of content, such as courses and books, I use bookmarks and lists as needed.

Consumption and Capture

When I decide to review curated content, I dedicate time to thoroughly explore and capture valuable insights. I take notes directly in Obsidian when possible. If not feasible, I use my ReMarkable for reading or VoiceNotes AI while on the move. Regardless of where I capture, I ensure to track my sources for easy reference.

Analog to Digital

I strive to convert my analog notes to digital format promptly, avoiding knowledge "islands." I prefer not to keep physical or voice recordings; my goal is to swiftly transfer everything to my SSOT (Obsidian).

For further details on my approach, see: How to convert notes from analog to digital.

Review

I conduct periodic reviews, especially weekly, to assess my daily notes. You can find my review process outlined here: Weekly review process.

Distill, Organize, Connect

Most of my captured information is logged in the daily notes of my journal. Typically, I categorize them under "Discovered Today." I also have a section for "Interesting Links" to save useful resources I encounter. Below is an example of how this is structured:

During my weekly reviews, I distill, organize, and connect the content from my daily notes. This involves turning bullet points into separate notes, often creating Literature or Permanent notes (following the Zettelkasten method), while rarely making Fleeting notes. I aim to produce Atomic notes, enriching them with relevant metadata, tags, and links. This process enhances the value of my Personal Knowledge Graph (PKG) each week.

Leverage, Reuse, and Share

I utilize my Knowledge Graph to achieve my objectives. Whenever I seek to create and share ideas, I explore my knowledge base, identify relevant information, and repurpose it creatively. This method enables me to produce articles, books, courses, etc. Additionally, I enrich my Knowledge Graph with new insights and continuously improve my existing notes, considering them Evergreen notes. Many of my creations also integrate back into my Knowledge Graph.

Moreover, I leverage my Knowledge Graph in various contexts, such as drafting emails, preparing for meetings, or working on projects. This is where the system excels and truly creates leverage.

References

• Feedly
• X
• X Pro
• Bluesky
• Hacker News
• Readwise
• ReMarkable
• VoiceNotes AI
• Obsidian
• Obsidian Publish
• Syncthing
• Obsidian Smart Connections plugin
• ChatGPT
• Claude

About Sébastien

I am Sébastien Dubois. You can follow me on X.

As an author, founder, and coach, I write about Knowledge Work, Personal Knowledge Management, note-taking, lifelong learning, personal organization, and Zen productivity. I also develop digital products. Learn more about my projects here.

To stay updated with my work, consider becoming a member.

Ready to Elevate Your Skills?

To start your Knowledge Management journey, invest in resources that will equip you with essential tools and strategies. Begin by exploring concepts and best practices through my Knowledge Management course.

Next, check out the Obsidian Starter Kit and its accompanying video course for a solid foundation in note-taking and Knowledge Management.

For a more comprehensive approach, the Knowledge Worker Kit covers PKM while expanding into productivity, personal organization, project management, and more:

If you're short on time, feel free to book a coaching session with me:

Don’t forget to join the Personal Knowledge Management community.