My Obsidian Setup That Actually Works: Simple, Powerful and Minimal

00:10:46
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVUOHdj8ehQ

Resumo

TLDRThe speaker shares their journey of transforming their Obsidian vault from a chaotic digital junk drawer into an effective productivity system. They emphasize the importance of designing for output rather than input, focusing on three core principles: friction-free capture, connection over collection, and action orientation. The folder structure is minimal, relying on a linking system from a central homepage instead of complex categorization. Essential plugins enhance functionality, and simple workflows integrate seamlessly into daily practices. The speaker advises beginners to start with a basic setup and gradually add complexity as needed, highlighting that the best system is one that is simple and usable.

Conclusões

  • 🗂️ Minimal folder structure for organization
  • 🔗 Linking system over categorization
  • ⚡ Friction-free capture for ideas
  • 📚 Action-oriented notes for productivity
  • 🛠️ Essential plugins enhance functionality
  • 📝 Templates for consistency in notes
  • 🌅 Daily stoic meditation practice
  • 📖 Simple workflows for effective learning
  • 💡 Start with basics, add complexity gradually
  • 🚀 Best system is the one you actually use

Linha do tempo

  • 00:00:00 - 00:05:00

    The speaker reflects on their previous chaotic Obsidian setup, which lacked structure and overwhelmed them with digital clutter. They emphasize the importance of designing a note-taking system for output rather than just input, leading to a transformation in their productivity. The speaker introduces their new system based on three core principles: friction-free capture, connection over collection, and action orientation, which collectively enhance the usability and effectiveness of their Obsidian vault.

  • 00:05:00 - 00:10:46

    The speaker details their minimal folder structure and linking system, which replaces traditional categorization with a homepage-centric approach. They highlight essential plugins that enhance their workflow, such as homepage navigation and templating tools. The speaker shares specific workflows, including a stoic morning routine and study methods, emphasizing simplicity and consistency. They conclude by encouraging viewers to start with a basic setup and gradually implement features, reinforcing that the best system is one that is simple and usable.

Mapa mental

Vídeo de perguntas e respostas

  • What is the main philosophy behind the speaker's Obsidian setup?

    The main philosophy is to design for output rather than input, focusing on friction-free capture, connection over collection, and action orientation.

  • How is the folder structure organized in the speaker's Obsidian?

    The folder structure is minimal, consisting of 'All files', 'Journals', 'Archive', and 'Vault', with a focus on linking rather than categorization.

  • What are some essential plugins mentioned?

    Essential plugins include Homepage, DataLoom, Iconize, Style settings, Omnisearch, Recent files, Templater, and URL into selection.

  • What is the purpose of templates in the speaker's system?

    Templates help maintain consistency for frequently used notes, simplifying the note-taking process.

  • What is the speaker's daily practice called?

    The speaker's daily practice is called stoic meditation, which involves reflecting on key questions.

  • How does the speaker handle note organization?

    The speaker uses a linking system from a central homepage instead of relying heavily on folders.

  • What is the significance of the homepage in the setup?

    The homepage serves as a central hub for navigation, linking to all other pages and notes.

  • What advice does the speaker give to beginners?

    Beginners should start with a basic folder structure and homepage approach, adding plugins as needed.

  • What is the key takeaway from the speaker's setup?

    The best system is simple enough to use daily while being flexible enough to adapt to different needs.

  • What should you avoid when setting up Obsidian?

    Avoid trying to implement everything at once; focus on simplicity and gradual improvement.

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Legendas
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Rolagem automática:
  • 00:00:00
    Do you feel like your obsidian vault is more of a digital junk
  • 00:00:04
    drawer than a productivity system?
  • 00:00:07
    I know I did.
  • 00:00:08
    Six months ago.
  • 00:00:10
    My Obsidian looked like this.
  • 00:00:13
    Notes everywhere.
  • 00:00:14
    No structure, a tagging system that made sense Monday, but was
  • 00:00:19
    complete gibberish by Friday.
  • 00:00:22
    Now it looks like this.
  • 00:00:25
    The difference isn't just aesthetic.
  • 00:00:27
    This transformation has completely changed how I interact
  • 00:00:31
    with my knowledge and ideas.
  • 00:00:33
    I no longer waste time hunting for information or feeling
  • 00:00:37
    overwhelmed by digital clutter.
  • 00:00:39
    My system actually supports my thinking rather than getting in the way.
  • 00:00:45
    And today I'm showing you my exact setup.
  • 00:00:48
    No theory, no "you should" advice, just the actual system I use every day.
  • 00:00:54
    You'll see my folder structure, essential plugins, and the specific
  • 00:00:59
    workflows that make this system work.
  • 00:01:01
    Let's start with the philosophy that changed everything for me.
  • 00:01:06
    My obsidian philosophy.
  • 00:01:08
    The biggest mistake I made with Obsidian was trying to capture
  • 00:01:12
    everything and I mean everything.
  • 00:01:16
    Random thoughts, article highlights, meeting notes, project ideas, all dumped
  • 00:01:22
    into a digital landfill I called my vault.
  • 00:01:25
    Here is a counterintuitive principle that changed everything.
  • 00:01:29
    The value of a note taking system isn't what goes in.
  • 00:01:33
    It's what comes out.
  • 00:01:35
    Most Obsidian and tutorials focus on fancy input methods, but I realized I
  • 00:01:40
    need to design for output for actually using and applying what I capture.
  • 00:01:46
    So I rebuilt my entire system around three core principles.
  • 00:01:50
    Friction free capture.
  • 00:01:51
    If it takes more than three seconds to capture a thought, the system fails.
  • 00:01:57
    Connection over collection notes gain value when linked to
  • 00:02:01
    other notes Action orientation.
  • 00:02:04
    Every note should eventually drive some form of output or decision.
  • 00:02:09
    This philosophy might sound obvious, but here is something nobody talks about.
  • 00:02:15
    Most Obsidian setups are designed to make you feel productive rather
  • 00:02:21
    than actually be productive, they are digital productivity theater.
  • 00:02:27
    I wanted a system that produced results, not just the sensation of organization.
  • 00:02:33
    Let me show you exactly how my vault is structured.
  • 00:02:37
    You'll notice something immediately about my folder structure.
  • 00:02:41
    It's initially minimal.
  • 00:02:43
    I have just a few key folders.
  • 00:02:46
    "All files" were all new notes are initially created.
  • 00:02:50
    "Journals" for my daily notes and reflections.
  • 00:02:53
    "Archive" where I move notes I no longer need visible.
  • 00:02:57
    "Vault" contains my templates and system files.
  • 00:03:02
    But here is the interesting part.
  • 00:03:04
    I don't rely heavily on folders for organization.
  • 00:03:08
    Instead, I use a linking system that starts from central pages.
  • 00:03:13
    My entire system revolves around these key pages.
  • 00:03:17
    Homepage.
  • 00:03:18
    The central hub from which all other links branch out.
  • 00:03:23
    Notes.
  • 00:03:23
    Quick capture for ideas that need to be jotted down immediately.
  • 00:03:28
    For synchronization I use Synchthing.
  • 00:03:31
    It gives me complete control while keeping everything in sync across my devices.
  • 00:03:37
    My linking system.
  • 00:03:39
    I create a main homepage from which I link to all other pages.
  • 00:03:44
    This is the key to my system.
  • 00:03:47
    I don't use folders for categorization.
  • 00:03:50
    I use links from homepages instead.
  • 00:03:53
    What makes this especially powerful is that I've set my main homepage to open
  • 00:03:59
    automatically whenever I start obsidian.
  • 00:04:02
    This creates a consistent starting point for all my work and navigation.
  • 00:04:08
    I've configured obsidian to automatically create all new notes
  • 00:04:12
    in my "all files" folder by default.
  • 00:04:16
    This means I never have to think about where to save a note initially.
  • 00:04:20
    I just create it, and it appears in all files.
  • 00:04:24
    Then I link these notes from my homepage or other relevant pages.
  • 00:04:29
    If I no longer want to see a page in my main navigation, I simply move to archive"
  • 00:04:35
    and cross it out from my homepage links.
  • 00:04:38
    This link based rather than folder based organization
  • 00:04:42
    gives me tremendous flexibility while maintaining organization.
  • 00:04:48
    This system has completely eliminated the "where should I put this anxiety"
  • 00:04:53
    that plugged my early Obsidian setups.
  • 00:04:56
    The homepage centered approach gives me a clean
  • 00:04:59
    visual way to access everything that matters while keeping the
  • 00:05:03
    underlying folder structure minimal.
  • 00:05:06
    Now let's talk about the plugins that supercharge the system.
  • 00:05:11
    Essential plugins and customizations.
  • 00:05:15
    I've tried dozens of Obsidian plugins, but most just added
  • 00:05:20
    complexity without adding value.
  • 00:05:22
    I want to share the specific plugins that actually make a difference in my workflow.
  • 00:05:28
    Rather than explaining each one in detail, I'll focus on how they support my system.
  • 00:05:35
    Homepage.
  • 00:05:37
    Create my central navigation system.
  • 00:05:40
    DataLoom.
  • 00:05:41
    Helps me create notion like tables right inside obsidian.
  • 00:05:45
    Iconize makes my navigation visually intuitive.
  • 00:05:50
    Style settings.
  • 00:05:51
    Helps me customize themes for better visual experience.
  • 00:05:57
    Omnisearch.
  • 00:05:58
    Powerful search beyond Obsidian defaults.
  • 00:06:01
    Recent files.
  • 00:06:03
    Quick access to frequently used notes.
  • 00:06:07
    Templater.
  • 00:06:09
    Create sophisticated templates for consistency.
  • 00:06:13
    URL into selection.
  • 00:06:14
    Lets me highlight any word and instantly convert it to a hyperlink,
  • 00:06:20
    but here is the plugin combination.
  • 00:06:23
    The homepage plugin is particularly available Let me show you how I use this
  • 00:06:28
    system day to day with some specific workflows that have made a big difference.
  • 00:06:35
    Workflows and use cases.
  • 00:06:37
    The best system is worthless if you don't actually use it.
  • 00:06:41
    Here's exactly how this setup integrates into my daily work.
  • 00:06:46
    First, my stoic morning routine.
  • 00:06:49
    I start each day with a practice I call stoic meditation.
  • 00:06:54
    The template for this I created automatically via Templater
  • 00:06:58
    with four key questions.
  • 00:07:01
    What will I face today?
  • 00:07:02
    How should I respond with virtue?
  • 00:07:04
    What are the consequences if I don't?
  • 00:07:07
    What did I do well today and what could I improve?
  • 00:07:10
    This simple practice helps me approach the day with intention and clarity.
  • 00:07:16
    By the way, I have a video on my channel about how Stoicism helped me
  • 00:07:21
    recover after a difficult breakup.
  • 00:07:23
    You'll see it pop up in a card right now.
  • 00:07:26
    If you are interested in learning more about applying these principles.
  • 00:07:31
    Study workflow.
  • 00:07:33
    My approach to learning is straightforward, but effective.
  • 00:07:37
    I create a main page for each area of study, then add links
  • 00:07:42
    to specific subject notes.
  • 00:07:45
    Within this notes, I write my summaries and insights in free form, allowing my
  • 00:07:50
    natural thinking process to flow rather than forcing it into rigid structures.
  • 00:07:56
    For example, here is how I organized my notes for my marketing internship.
  • 00:08:02
    The beauty of this approach is its simplicity.
  • 00:08:06
    It provides organization without unnecessary complexity.
  • 00:08:10
    Now let's talk about the templates that makes this all possible.
  • 00:08:15
    Templates and future proofing.
  • 00:08:18
    Templates help me maintain consistency with notes I create frequently.
  • 00:08:23
    I keep my approach to templates, very simple.
  • 00:08:26
    I only create them for content that I repeatedly use.
  • 00:08:30
    The main template I use is for my stoic meditation practice, which contains
  • 00:08:35
    the four questions I mentioned earlier
  • 00:08:38
    This simple approach to templates saves me time and helps maintain consistency
  • 00:08:44
    without any unnecessary complexity.
  • 00:08:46
    Tips and favorite features.
  • 00:08:49
    Let me share some of my favorite Obsidian tips.
  • 00:08:53
    That makes a huge difference.
  • 00:08:55
    I've customized my navigation hotkeys to match those in the Arc browser, since
  • 00:09:02
    that's what I'm used to specifically.
  • 00:09:05
    I use this to navigate forward and this to navigate back to previous page,
  • 00:09:12
    creating muscle memory without consistent hotkeys across different applications
  • 00:09:18
    reduces cognitive load Templates are useful for creating consistent
  • 00:09:22
    structures for repeating note types.
  • 00:09:25
    Conclusion.
  • 00:09:26
    So there you have my actual daily Obsidian setup To recap the key elements.
  • 00:09:33
    A minimal folder structure.
  • 00:09:35
    All files, journals, archive vault, homepage centers, navigation instead
  • 00:09:41
    of complex folder hierarchies.
  • 00:09:43
    Strategic use of a few powerful plugins.
  • 00:09:46
    Simple yet effective workflows for daily practice and study customized hotkeys
  • 00:09:52
    that match my other applications.
  • 00:09:56
    What makes this system work isn't its complexity.
  • 00:09:59
    It's quite the opposite.
  • 00:10:02
    It's designed to be simple enough to actually use every day while
  • 00:10:07
    still being flexible enough to adapt to different needs.
  • 00:10:10
    If you are just starting with obsidian, don't try to implement everything at once.
  • 00:10:15
    Start with the basic folder structure and homepage approach.
  • 00:10:19
    Add plugins as you need them.
  • 00:10:22
    If you found this helpful, let me know in the comments which part of this setup you
  • 00:10:28
    are most excited to try and if you have questions about implementing any aspects
  • 00:10:33
    of this system, drop those below as well.
  • 00:10:36
    Until next time, remember, the best system isn't the most complex.
  • 00:10:41
    It's the one you'll actually use.
  • 00:10:44
    See you in the next one.
Etiquetas
  • Obsidian
  • Productivity
  • Note-taking
  • Digital Organization
  • Plugins
  • Workflows
  • Templates
  • Philosophy
  • Minimalism
  • Learning