Use convergence tools to find and filter information.

Convergence tools include purpose, values, or interests

Intend to only pursue information related to your current projects and interests

Manage information in flow.

Engage with that information

Start a learning project.

Decide which books and materials to read and consume.

Collect information from books and materials efficiently.

how to manage a reading inbox

My note-writing process

It is difficult to cultivate the Talahardin. Here are some guidelines:

talahardin taxonomy of note types

Collecting information

Given the shortness of life, our relationship to information needs to be minimalistic. A good rule of thumb when letting information in our lives is to consume information selectively. This requires self-knowledge about what is truly important to you.

Once this is established, setup a system to capture and filter information. This filtering system involves using multiple inboxes that capture information in different media. These first-level inboxes are then pruned regularly to choose only the best sources of information to consume. These best sources are then placed in a second-level inbox—a reading inbox—which once again is process by (1) consuming infomation, (2) deleting resources that no longer resonate, and (3) letting other resources age.

When a resource is consumed, capture fleeting notes like literature notes effectively (how to write literature notes) and collect them in a writing inbox if the information is not attached to a particular project. If it is related to a project, attach it to a Project inbox instead.

Processing information

Processing the writing inbox

Once the writing inbox is filled up, the Talahardin employs a spaced repetition writing system to effectively process a growing writing inbox. Here is How to setup a spaced repetition writing system in Craft.

To work effectively (i.e., to avoid accumulating too much fleeting notes in the writing inbox), this note-processing system has to be done in a regular basis (ideally daily) and therefore should be embedded in something like my daily routine (my note-writing practice).

Processing fleeting notes in the writing inbox also requires that evergreens are written. It is difficult to do these but here are some guidelines:

Processing project inboxes

Retrieving information

Engaging with and using information

Writing through permanent notes

Write using permanent notes

Key differences between Zettelkasten, Evergreen notes, and Talahardin

The Talahardin system is heavily influenced by andy matuschak’s Evergreen note-taking system, which, in turn, was heavily influenced by niklas luhmann’s zettelkasten.

Other thoughts

  • Talahardin uses two inboxes: the writing inbox (general) and project inbox.
  • Elements of PARA can be implemented too.

To do

  • You can actually develop this system by going back to your workshop on life management system