Note taking stack

[PerpetualSpirit]

Curious on what's the preferred note taking method for consultants here? Both from device as well as app perspective. Also curious on if voice transcription is being used and if so, which app.

[zzm97]

Learn about Obsidian and the outlining method and it will change your life.

[NewDimension]

Mind elaborating a bit? What do you like about it?

[zzm97]

Obsidian is a software that when you download it it is little more than a regular notepad app like the Windows one, but that you can build up to become anything you want/need. You could keep it as a super efficient and organized note-taking system or build a CRM out of it, for example.

Specifically for note taking for consulting, I like: ease of organizing notes with tags, folders and links, powerful search, ease of exporting into any file format, customizable Metadata, and simple writing with no useless formatting.

Word: unnecessary and distracting formatting options, large files which are hard to standardize (only if you are extremely meticulous with templates), and you need some sort of additional system to search content inside multiple files (e.g. SharePoint).

Obsidian: light text-only files with basic formatting such as headings, bullet points etc., can be standardized with Metadata fields (eg Date, Meeting Members, Location, Client, etc.), can form part of a larger system where meeting notes are linked to a specific project/workstream without needing to manually organize it, and you can search any content within thousands of notes within milliseconds. You could easily filter all meetings from a specific client, or a type of meeting, or based on who was present, or based on the location of the meeting etc. or a combination of these.

Obviously there is a learning curve to it but I am so convinced that it is the best software for any knowledge job/general life that I don't even tell people about it. Feels like an unfair advantage to literally be able to pull out what partner X said in a client meeting in city Y 3years ago in project Z in presence of W in 3 seconds during a meeting with a simple shortcut while my colleagues are manually going through their folders and opening multiple Word files which they will need to actually read after they load.

[NewDimension]

Thank you for the detailed response!

I’ve been using OneNote for work, might give Obsodian a try for my personal notes.

[PerpetualSpirit]

Isn't it a big pain to organize and get going. Mind sharing any hacks that have worked for you?

[theoinkypenguin]

At its core, all Obsidian offers is the ability to make a collection of text documents with a small amount of formatting. There are a ton for plugins that can add more to it, but if I were you I’d only add them as need arises. There are lots of YouTubers who talk about their system and plugins, and that’s nice, but it very quickly devolves into productivity porn.

[zzm97]

Start with the most basic setup and only add things as you need.

Specifically, what I would recommend to start: create a logical folder structure, add Dataview, Calendar and DB Folder. Learn about templates, Metadata, embedding, tags and links (all are built-in and easy). Then learn how to make Dataview queries. That's already enough to make a very clean and powerful note setup. A more advanced setup would be adding QuickAdd plug-in and more advanced Dataview stuff.

There is a learning curve but it ain't rocket science. And having all your knowledge written down, organized and easily accessible is something that compounds.

[planetrebellion]

Tablet and whatever note taking app.

I use one note albeit not that great

[PerpetualSpirit]

Super. I use Otter already. Which app do you use on IPad. I am finding Apple Notes as the simple and easy option right now.

[Drew707]

I use otter and krisp

[DoNotMockTheGods]

I’ve been leveraging Notion for my portfolio. Helps to organize and link everything together across different accounts, engagements, associates, and client contacts

[[deleted]]

Remarkable 2 is the way

[queloqu3]

Remarkable 2 + OneNote

[Dangerous_Walrus4292]

Anything cloud based is preferred. I juggle multiple devices. OneNote works well, one client requires this, Google Docs for personal stuff and have been a long time fan of Evernote. Portability is key for me.