Remember Less, Think Better: The Case for a Second Brain

Your brain needs help. No, really.

Oct 01, 2024

My mind is a museum of memorabilia from the analog age.

I can still recite my Seattle landline from the mid-90s, my checking account number, childhood address, and social security number at the drop of a hat. Why? Because I'm a product of the dangling phone cord era, where Rolodexes and Franklin-Covey planners reigned supreme.

What a waste.

As I've gotten older, I've come to embrace David Allen's wisdom: "Brains are for thinking, not for storing things." This philosophy aligns perfectly with the growing "second brain" movement, popularized by folks like Tiago Forte.

The core idea? Our brains excel at processing information and creativity, not at being human hard drives. So why not offload that storage to digital systems, freeing up our mental bandwidth for what really matters?

But first…

If you've been following me for a bit, you might think this is at odds with a favorite hobby of mine. I love to memorize things and challenge myself on different topics to store in my brain. I've written on this topic and I even gave an hour-long talk on improving your memory!

So how do I reconcile this?

For me, the key lies in understanding the difference between active recall and passive storage. Memorization exercises are not just about stuffing my brain with random facts. I'm actively exercising my cognitive muscles and improving my ability to make connections which (I believe) strengthens my overall mental agility.

Think of it like this: memorization as a hobby is like going to the mental gym; it's about keeping your mind sharp and flexible.

The "second brain" concept, on the other hand, is about optimizing your day-to-day cognitive load. It's about freeing up mental space for creative thinking, problem-solving, and being present in the moment. By offloading information to external systems, you're not replacing your ability to remember; you're enhancing your ability to think. Neat, right?

So how does it work?

At its core, a second brain is about creating an external system to store, organize, and retrieve information. I’m a digital person so I tend to lean on technology, but you don’t have to. Bullet journals (not to be confused with the excellent Brad Pitt movie Bullet Train) are a great lo-tech option. But for our purposes I am gonna outline the more techie options. Here are the key components:

1. Externalized Knowledge: The Foundation

The cornerstone of the Second Brain is the idea of offloading information storage from your mind to external systems. This is not about forgetting; it's about strategically deciding what to keep readily accessible in your mind versus what to store some place else.

2. Capture Everything: The Input System

The first step in building your Second Brain is to capture everything that might be useful later. This includes (but isn’t limited to):

Ideas and thoughts
Quotes from books or articles
Research notes
Screenshots and fun links
Meeting notes
Inspirations and creative sparks

And the tools for capturing can range from simple note-taking apps like my go-to Apple Notes to more robust systems like Notion or Roam Research. The key here is to choose a tool that you trust and can access easily. Your Second Brain should be as portable as your first one; in other words it should be accessible across all your devices - smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc. This lets you capture ideas on the go and access your knowledge base whenever you need it.

3. Organize for Action: The PARA Method

Once you've captured information, you need a system to organize it. Tiago Forte's PARA method offers a nice framework:

P = Projects: Short-term efforts in your work and life
A = Areas: Ongoing responsibilities you want to maintain over time
R = Resources: Topics or interests that may be useful in the future
A = Archives: Inactive items from the other three categories

This system ensures that your information is not just stored, but organized! I’ll go into more depth on this in the future. And remember, it doesn't all need to be perfect from day one. Start with a basic system and iterate on it as you go. The goal is progress, not perfection. Your organizational system should evolve with your needs.

4. Regular Review: Keep It Alive

A Second Brain isn't a static repository; it's a living system that requires regular attention. You need a consistent review process to maintain the health and usefulness of the whole shebang. Sunday afternoons tend to be my nerdy time to shine. I work toward zero inbox, I try to review and organize notes, and I clean up my to dos and plan for the week. I know, wild and crazy days at the Pharr household!

Here's how to make the most of your review sessions:

Plan for regular reviews: Daily quick scans, weekly deep dives, and monthly overviews help you stay on top of things.
Declutter and refresh: Update outdated information, remove old and not-so-relevant content, and clean up your notes.
Rediscover and connect: Look for forgotten ideas and new connections between different pieces of information.
Tinker with your system: If something's not working, don't be afraid to switch it up. I tried Notion for a while and then went back to Apple Notes. None of this has to be sacrisanct…sacresanct…sacr…etched in stone.
Put your knowledge to work: Use all this organized wisdom to kick-start new projects, share brilliant insights, or crack tough problems.

Think of your Second Brain as a garden - it needs regular tending to flourish.

In Conclusion

As you build and nurture your Second Brain, you'll find that its true power lies not just in storing information, but in how it can transform your thinking and creative processes. At least that has been the case for me.

By freeing your mind from the burden of remembering all the minutiae, you open up mental space for deep, focused work and creative problem-solving. And as you continue to use and refine your system, you'll find that your Second Brain grows and evolves with you. Over time, it turns into an amazing tool for personal and professional growth.

Again, your Second Brain is more than just a storage system—it's a reflection of your interests, goals, and intellectual journey. I like to think of it as kind of a personalized knowledge base. And in our information-rich digital age, being able to effectively manage, connect, and utilize your knowledge can be something of a superpower.

Remember, your brain's already doing a lot. It doesn't need to be a 24/7 memorization machine too. So why not give it a break? Offload the mental clutter, streamline your thoughts, and free up that big beautiful mind of yours for the creative stuff you really want to dive into.

Quick Hits

Twitter is dead to me. If you feel so inclined, go ahead and give me a follow on Threads.
Hey I did a thing! If you have to interview someone and need help, check out my Interview Guide: Essential Questions for Effective Hiring.
Not sure if you have noticed but I am using all my own photos for my posts. Sometimes they are not good, but hey that adds to the authenticity.
Got suggestions? Thoughts to share? I’d love to hear from you. You can reply to this email or leave a comment below.

That’s it for this week. As always, thanks for reading and remember to be good.
But if you can’t be good…don’t get caught.

—Derek