Chapter 1: My Journey to Choose the Right Note-Taking App

Over the past two weeks, I embarked on a quest to find the best app for creating my second brain. Here’s what I discovered.

I took a significant step by enrolling in Tiago Forte’s Build a Second Brain (BASB) cohort. Joining this course was a long-held aspiration, but I had previously hesitated due to the cost. This year, however, I’ve embraced opportunities I once thought I’d never pursue, including participating in Ship 30 for 30, Captain’s Table, and now BASB. These experiences have provided me with fresh insights and enabled me to make strides I hadn’t imagined.

Now, I face the challenge of selecting a note-taking app. With numerous options available, including Workflowy, Obsidian, Evernote, Notion, and Roam, it’s a tough decision. Having used Workflowy for the past two years, I appreciate its strengths but still wonder if it’s the perfect fit for my second brain.

After watching the next video, I realized my note-taking approach combines elements of both Librarian and Architect styles.

Here’s a summary of my options:

• Workflowy: A lightweight tool similar to Roam, but without connections. It offers incredibly fast search capabilities.
  • Cons: Not the best for composing lengthy articles.
• Obsidian: I appreciate its free nature and local document storage.
  • Cons: It’s not as user-friendly as Evernote.
• Evernote: I previously used it but switched to OneNote because it was free. Now that I’m paying for Workflowy and Notion, I’m open to investing in Evernote.
  • Cons: There are upload limits and various pricing plans. Unlike Obsidian, it doesn’t store data locally.
• Notion: I enjoy it, but it can feel sluggish, and navigating tables is less intuitive than in Obsidian or Evernote.
• Roam: I haven’t tried it, but I’m not particularly drawn to its emphasis on information mapping and connections.

Ultimately, I selected Evernote as my note-taking app. After careful consideration, I decided to follow Tiago’s lead and use Evernote for this cohort. Here’s why I made this choice:

1. Tiago’s Usage: He utilizes Evernote, and I intend to replicate his folder structure and workflow, which will allow me to concentrate on my projects instead of getting lost in tool management.
2. Obsidian: While it’s an impressive tool, its development is still ongoing. I appreciate how it mirrors my programming background, yet I want to stay focused on building my second brain.
3. Notion: Although I love Notion, its flexibility can be overwhelming, and I find myself spending more time customizing than actually working. Additionally, my office network restricts access to Notion, which could pose a challenge during occasional office days.
4. Workflowy: Although it has been my favorite for two years, I miss the feeling of writing a traditional “Note.” Workflowy’s nodes are effective, but I feel constrained when creating longer pieces.

For the upcoming weeks, I will use Evernote to organize my life. While I might explore other tools post-cohort, I am committed to using Evernote during this period. I’m excited to see where this decision leads me. Thank you to everyone who helped me navigate this choice of note-taking app.

What are your thoughts on my choice of Evernote and the reasoning behind it? I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments.

Would you like to know the outcomes of my decision?

After two years with Workflowy, I chose Evernote for building my second brain. However, I quickly realized that I couldn’t sustain my use of Evernote due to its limitations.

Chapter 2: The Ongoing Search for the Ideal Second Brain Solution

In the next video, we explore how to select a digital notes application that best serves as your second brain, providing valuable guidance and insights.

In this video, we delve into the top note-taking apps ready for your second brain in 2023, showcasing the best options available.

If you enjoyed this article, you might also appreciate my next piece on the best task management app to organize your work and life.

I’ve dedicated significant time to identifying the ideal app for task management, and I’m eager to share my findings.

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