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

Summary

Summary of the Video Transcript

The video details the creator’s journey from having a disorganized Obsidian vault (a digital note-taking system) to developing a streamlined, output-focused productivity system. Initially, their vault was cluttered with unstructured notes and ineffective tagging, but after refining their approach, they transformed it into an efficient tool that enhances thinking rather than hindering it.

Key Insights & System Structure

1. Philosophy Shift

   • The biggest mistake was trying to capture everything—random thoughts, meeting notes, etc.—leading to a "digital landfill."
   • The core principle: A note-taking system’s value lies in what comes out (output), not just what goes in (input).
   • Three guiding principles:
     • Friction-free capture (thoughts should take <3 seconds to record).
     • Connection over collection (notes gain value when linked).
     • Action orientation (every note should drive decisions or output).

2. Folder & Navigation System

   • Uses a minimal folder structure:
     • "All Files" (default for new notes).
     • "Journals" (daily notes/reflections).
     • "Archive" (for older, less relevant notes).
     • "Vault" (templates/system files).
   • Homepage-centric navigation:
     • All notes link back to a central homepage, eliminating folder-based organization.
     • New notes auto-save to "All Files," then get linked from relevant pages.
     • Archived notes are moved out of sight but remain accessible.

3. Essential Plugins

   • Homepage (central navigation hub).
   • Dataview (Notion-like tables).
   • Omnisearch (enhanced search).
   • Templater (automated templates).
   • Recent Files (quick access).
   • Iconize (visual navigation aids).

4. Daily Workflows

   • Stoic Morning Routine: Uses a templated meditation with four reflection questions.
   • Study Workflow: Creates a main page per topic, linking to related notes for structured yet flexible learning.
   • Simple Templates: Only for frequently repeated notes (e.g., daily journals).

5. Key Takeaways

   • Avoid "productivity theater"—focus on usability over complexity.
   • Start small: Begin with a basic structure (homepage + core folders), then add plugins as needed.
   • Customize hotkeys and workflows to match personal habits (e.g., mimicking browser shortcuts).

Final Message

The best system isn’t the most elaborate—it’s the one you’ll consistently use. The creator encourages viewers to experiment incrementally and adapt the system to their needs.

(Note: The video also references a prior video on Stoicism, suggested for viewers interested in deeper application of these principles.)

Details

• Duration: 10m 46s
• URL: My Obsidian Setup That Actually Works: Simple, Powerful and Minimal

Tags

• ObsidianSetup
• ProductivitySystem
• NoteTaking
• Minimalism
• DigitalOrganization
• WorkflowOptimization
• OutputFocus
• PluginsAndTools
• YouTube
• Video
• GTD,Obsidian