Chapter 1: A Year in Reflection

In 2022, I found that much of my note-taking occurred while I was watching TV. This medium offers a wide lens into various topics, and many thoughts already formed in my mind—topics I often discuss or find intriguing—serve as inspiration for my creative pursuits. When I encounter something that resonates, I recognize its relevance immediately, whether it’s a new angle, an exception, or something that enhances my narrative; I jot it down.

One of the pivotal books that altered my approach to productivity this past year was Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? alongside Building a Second Brain. Initially, I planned to write about the first book, but delving into the complexities of masculinity proved more challenging than anticipated. Instead, I pivoted to Building a Second Brain, with hopes of tackling the other book before the year concludes.

Historically, I’ve managed no more than five initiatives or projects at a time. However, my current workload includes four initiatives, three or four ongoing projects, two internal startup endeavors, and a multitude of miscellaneous tasks flooding my desk daily. Consequently, I found myself overwhelmed, lagging in professional growth, and neglecting everything outside of work.

In early October, I decided to download Building a Second Brain on Audible, just before embarking on two back-to-back cross-country flights. After making it through airport pre-check at Logan, I began listening while waiting for my flight to Seattle. I absorbed the entire book during the flight, and it struck a chord with me.

Quotes like, “Your brain is not storage; it’s designed to generate ideas and create, not to remember who you're meeting for lunch next Tuesday,” resonated deeply.

At its essence, Building a Second Brain encourages daily note-taking without overthinking or excessive organization—just start. Whether you prefer Word, Google Docs, OneNote, Evernote, Notion, or any other platform, the key is to begin.

Did you stumble upon an insightful LinkedIn article before a meeting? Web-clip it or save the URL in a note. Need to read a document? Just drop it in a note. Initially, don’t stress about the organization; that will naturally develop over time.

During the final hour of your workday or on your commute home, revisit your daily notes and tidy them up.

The author, Tiago Forte, has created a supportive ecosystem around this book that includes both free and paid resources. Although I’ve only been employing these strategies for about three months, I’ve constructed a robust notes framework that minimizes my reliance on Google, using corporate SharePoint solely for templates.

This system has become a repository for my personal development and private appointments. Whatever technology you choose, ensure it aligns with your style and that you trust it will be available tomorrow.

I initially started with Evernote, then explored Notion for a time. However, Notion’s extensive features felt overwhelming for personal use. If I were using it as a team tool, I would definitely prefer Notion over Evernote, but for my individual needs, Evernote has proven to be more effective.

That said, since I prepaid for a year of Notion, I’ve set it up to reflect any changes made in Evernote.

Forte discusses a concept he describes as a “missing limb”—a tool or software that becomes so integral to your workflow that it feels indispensable. For me, Evernote has started to embody that role, even earning a spot on the coveted bottom bar of my iPhone.

After spending countless hours listening to various “system” books without finding one that truly resonated, I finally discovered this approach. I highly recommend picking up a copy and starting your own journey of building a second brain.

Chapter 2: Video Insights

To enrich your understanding of my reading journey in 2022, here are two insightful videos:

The first video titled Sherri's 2022 Year in Books! dives into the transformative impact of various reads over the year.

The second video, Looking at My 2022 Reading Stats | Goodreads Year in Books Review, offers an engaging summary of reading accomplishments from the past year.