Hi, Peter!
First off, I apologize for the delay in my response.
I wanted to reply as you deserve because you've touched on many points that I consider critical, engaging, and important to discuss and comment on. I do think they can be pretty useful for you and all the readers. So, thanks so much for reading the article, commenting on it with such great feedback, and, above all, for your patience in waiting for this reply.
You inspired me to write an article. I think you can take a look at it because I consider it covers many points you mention: "How I Take the Best Out of Productivity Gurus to Improve My PKM" (https://medium.com/datadriveninvestor/how-i-take-the-best-out-of-productivity-gurus-to-improve-my-pkm-b80801f34eb0)
Of course, I don't consider myself a "productivity guru" but, as you mentioned me as a reference to polish your PKM, I shared how I "operate" with productivity gurus or any other person who shares his thoughts about the subject.
Now, I'll comment on your words, highlighting what I consider can be useful for you and the readers.
"you lost me with this article."
So sorry because my goal's always to help readers get inspired by the things I write.
"I follow you and I respect (and enjoy) the way you explore the subject of PKM and move forward from system to system (as you describe here once again)."
Love to hear you, to some extent, enjoy the experience :-)))))))
"However my view is that there are certains "constants" and "first principles" which should be more or less unchanging. In a previous article you mentioned that plain text is one of those (among others) for you. Now this "immutable law" of yours turns out not to be true anymore..."
I agree with you, Peter, but not 100%.
For me, apps and the way they decide to store information will never be an "immutable law". They'll never be because technology changes each time "more times" and each time faster.
That's why my "immutable laws" are based on mental models, workflows, and processes.
I started coding when I was 8. That's the moment I got into the "productivity world" because coding needs being productive. Since then, I haven't stopped.
I started with paper, and I can tell you, almost 40 years later, that I still use the majority of those processes, maybe a little bit polished, but the core, the essence, is exactly the same.
Here are some examples:
- Sequentiality. I've always forced my project/task managers to use sequential processes because I need an order to execute things. That's something I started on paper, and it remains untouched.
- Batching. I've always forced my systems to allow me to put similar things together, so I can execute them as a whole, saving me time.
- Checklists. I've always used them because they avoid losing energy, they just require a minimal effort to make them work. Secondly, it's impossible to forget something that is on a checklist.
I could keep listing mental models, processes, frameworks, you name it... that stay the same.
It's not the case with apps or how they operate because they're just tools, and tools change a lot, especially nowadays.
"It becomes difficult to follow you as you bounce from one shiny new system to another."
This is an important point I'd like to clarify. You don't have to follow me. You just have to "use me" as a source of inspiration. Forget about my apps, my bounces, and anything in between.
I change from app to app because it's easy for me, I love it, it motivates me, I polish my processes thanks to them, I get inspired... I have many reasons.
But, if I should give you a piece of advice is this. If you're ok with a tool, keep it using it as long as possible. Stick to it! Don't you ever think about a move until you see you cannot hold on to it due to friction, boredom, or any other painful situation.
My goal is not people doing all the exact steps I do. It's just receiving a stimulus, analyzing it, comparing it with his systems, and deciding wether it's worth it. If things are not clear, stay in the same position. Nothing happens. I'm pretty sure you're making things work on a daily basis. You don't need me at all.
"Also, ultimately, In this article you do not enlighten your readers to what the new best system for you is."
Peter, I'll keep sharing my thoughts and journey on Medium. A PKM, like life is, is an endless journey. You never have the best system, you just try to have the best you consider at a certain moment.
My last (and best move, because I'm delighted and excited with it) was using Mem as my main system. Here you have a deep explanation of why:
How and Why I’ve Dramatically Improved My PKM by Switching to Mem After 1 Year Using Obsidian
I hope you find this reply useful, although I'd have liked to do it sooner. Apologies again, and thanks for following me!
Take care!
Cheers!
