Uploaded January 2022 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
This is the ultimate beginner's guide to the concept of building a second brain. I will go over the biggest principles brought about in Tiago Forte's notetaking and personal knowledge management course. I will also talk about the apps I use to build my own second Brain. Finally, I will discuss the various notetaking app philosophies that will help you figure out which note-taking app to use.
⏱ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro
01:34 - Capturing
02:38 - Borrowed Creativity
03:36 - Insight Cashback
04:12 - Sloth Walks VS Cheetah Sprints
05:26 - Never Start From Scratch
06:21 - Projects Over Categories
07:09 - Crafted Knowledge
08:15 - Bestfriend With Your Future Self
09:17 - Don't Be A Perfectionist
10:03 - Apps That You Can Use
10:34 - Capturing
12:22 - Collecting
13:38 - Notetaking
16:08 - Cost of Switching Morning Routines
Apps Mentioned in the Video:
💡Readwise: readwise.io/aidanhelfant
🗞️Instapaper: bit.ly/3AEzfXv
🎧Audible: amzn.to/3CQ0Wi9
📖Libby: libbyapp.com/interview/welcome#doYouHaveACard
🖊️Hypothesis: https://web.hypothes.is/
📝Notion: bit.ly/3fNvJ4O
📝Roam Research: roamresearch.com
Other Second Brain Content:
🧠Tiago Forte's Building a Second Brain YouTube Video: youtube.com/watch?v=SjZSy8s2VEE&t=491s
📝How to Take a Digital Note By Tiago Forte: youtube.com/watch?v=T4u4nUsdJbs
💻How to Choose a Digital Notes App as Your Second Brain: youtube.com/watch?v=hvLLVCcPsIE
📖BUILDING A READING HABIT (BHR) COURSE: aidanhelfant.com/building-a-reading-habit-brh
MY FAVORITE APPS:
📚How I choose what books to read next (Blinkist): blinkist.o6eiov.net/5bMEvo
💡How I remember what I read (Readwise): readwise.io/aidanhelfant
🗞️How I take notes on articles: (Instapaper): bit.ly/3AEzfXv
🎧Subscription that changed my life (Audible Plus): amzn.to/3CQ0Wi9
JOIN THE JOURNEY:
✉️Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: eepurl.com/hEj5Q9
🌎Check out my Blogging Website: aidanhelfant.com
🐦Check out my Twitter: twitter.com/AidanHelfant
PS: Some of the links shown above are Affiliate Links and I do receive a commission for purchases 🤪
This is the ultimate beginner's guide to the concept of building a second brain. I will go over the biggest principles brought about in Tiago Forte's notetaking and personal knowledge management course. I will also talk about the apps I use to build my own second Brain. Finally, I will discuss the various notetaking app philosophies that will help you figure out which note-taking app to use.
⏱ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Intro
01:34 - Capturing
02:38 - Borrowed Creativity
03:36 - Insight Cashback
04:12 - Sloth Walks VS Cheetah Sprints
05:26 - Never Start From Scratch
06:21 - Projects Over Categories
07:09 - Crafted Knowledge
08:15 - Bestfriend With Your Future Self
09:17 - Don't Be A Perfectionist
10:03 - Apps That You Can Use
10:34 - Capturing
12:22 - Collecting
13:38 - Notetaking
16:08 - Cost of Switching Morning Routines
Apps Mentioned in the Video:
💡Readwise: readwise.io/aidanhelfant
🗞️Instapaper: bit.ly/3AEzfXv
🎧Audible: amzn.to/3CQ0Wi9
📖Libby: libbyapp.com/interview/welcome#doYouHaveACard
🖊️Hypothesis: https://web.hypothes.is/
📝Notion: bit.ly/3fNvJ4O
📝Roam Research: roamresearch.com
Other Second Brain Content:
🧠Tiago Forte's Building a Second Brain YouTube Video: youtube.com/watch?v=SjZSy8s2VEE&t=491s
📝How to Take a Digital Note By Tiago Forte: youtube.com/watch?v=T4u4nUsdJbs
💻How to Choose a Digital Notes App as Your Second Brain: youtube.com/watch?v=hvLLVCcPsIE
📖BUILDING A READING HABIT (BHR) COURSE: aidanhelfant.com/building-a-reading-habit-brh
MY FAVORITE APPS:
📚How I choose what books to read next (Blinkist): blinkist.o6eiov.net/5bMEvo
💡How I remember what I read (Readwise): readwise.io/aidanhelfant
🗞️How I take notes on articles: (Instapaper): bit.ly/3AEzfXv
🎧Subscription that changed my life (Audible Plus): amzn.to/3CQ0Wi9
JOIN THE JOURNEY:
✉️Subscribe to my Email Newsletter: eepurl.com/hEj5Q9
🌎Check out my Blogging Website: aidanhelfant.com
🐦Check out my Twitter: twitter.com/AidanHelfant
PS: Some of the links shown above are Affiliate Links and I do receive a commission for purchases 🤪





Check out my Blogging Website: [https://aidanlifeadvice.com/](https://aidanlifeadvice.com/)
Instagram: Aidan Helfant
My name is Aidan Helfant. I am an upcoming freshman at Cornell University who likes doing videos on all sorts of things. I mainly like to stick to self-improvement, health, and fitness-related things but am not against changing my style to go with whatever I am feeling. I always want to make my content better so if there is ever anything that you want to point out or say about one of my videos be sure to tell me straight away. As always I hope you have a great day! BRENDAN GAGE Interview Fitness Transformations](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RWKwRKgOSHA/mqdefault.jpg)



Instagram: Aidan Helfant
My name is Aidan Helfant. I am an upcoming freshman at Cornell University who likes doing videos on all sorts of things. I mainly like to stick to self-improvement, health, and fitness-related things but am not against changing my style to go with whatever I am feeling. I always want to make my content better so if there is ever anything that you want to point out or say about one of my videos be sure to tell me straight away. As always I hope you have a great day! HOW TO PRODUCE EXCEPTIONAL Work](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ste945RWZJs/mqdefault.jpg)


