I spent three years collecting articles in browser tabs I never re-read, highlight books I never reviewed, and losing half-formed ideas in the void between apps. Building a Second Brain fixed all of that — and it took less setup than you'd think.
The Core Principle: Capture Everything, Process Weekly
The biggest mistake beginners make is trying to organize notes as they take them. Instead: capture fast, organize weekly. This removes the friction that kills most PKM systems.
Week 1: Inbox Only
Don't create any folders. Put everything in a single Inbox note. Your brain will naturally start to see patterns by Day 7.
Week 2: Your First Three Maps
Create three "Maps of Content" — essentially high-level indexes — for the three domains you care most about. Link notes into them as they accumulate.
The Habit That Makes It Stick
A 15-minute Sunday review session. That's it. Open your inbox, process what's there, and close it. Nothing else is required.