How to Take Smart Notes

I picked up How To Take Smart Notes by Sönke Ahrens because I was looking for ways to organize my thoughts and improve my writing process. The book definitely delivered on that front, it introduces the Zettelkasten method, which is all about taking notes in a way that helps you connect ideas and think more critically. Found the concept really inspiring, and it made me rethink how I approach learning and writing for real.

What I appreciated most was how Ahrens breaks down the system step by step, showing how it can help not just with remembering information, but with generating new ideas. It's clear that this method has a lot of potential, especially for students, researchers, or anyone who deals with a lot of information on a daily basis.

That said, I did find some parts of the book a bit too technical and dense. While it's a relatively short read, there were moments where I felt the author could have gotten to the point more quickly (hot take). I found myself skimming through some sections that felt overly detailed or repetitive.

Overall, though glad I read it and it's not a quick-fix guide, but if you're willing to put in the effort to apply its principles, it could really change the way you work with information.