Introduction
You know, I find myself in constant awe of the human brain's ability to connect dots, be creative, and lead with the heart. Yet, there are things that we just aren't as good at as computers. This led me to the concept of a second brain, where technology becomes an extension of our natural capacities. I'm a big believer in this, and I'd love to share my thoughts on why you should consider it too.
My Use of Second Brain
I'm no stranger to this philosophy, and I've implemented it in various facets of my life. Here's how:
- Thought Nuggets or Brain Drops: These are mini-essays or coherent thoughts that I document. They might not always make it to public platforms like my sub stack, but they still represent my thinking. I've managed to compile over a hundred wiki pages, and it's all there, just a click away for anyone I want to share it with. See:
Gary Sheng’s Wiki
- Project Management: My second brain is more than just an ideas repository. It's a project registry, tracking the people, progress, and next steps for everything I'm working on. A weekly visit helps me to stay on track or understand why I'm not moving forward yet.
- Signaling How To Collaborate With Me: If you want to work with me, you can! From hosting fun Afrobeats concerts to developing movement strategies for tech companies, I have made known how you can collaborate with me through my second brain. See:
About Gary Sheng (@garysheng’s pinned tweet thread).
- Personal Relationship Management: We all know how easy it is to forget things. But with my second brain, I never lose track of the people I want to stay in contact with. Why I want to talk to them, and what context I need to remember about them is all cataloged. See: Everyone Deserves An AI Relational Gardener That Helps Their Relationships Flourish
Why You Should Create a Second Brain
It's more than just using specific tools like Notion or Google Calendar; it's about leveraging technology to be a better version of yourself. Here's why you might want to consider this philosophy:
- Remembering Things Better: No more dropped balls on critical tasks or forgetting essential details about your relationships.
- Being More Productive: A well-designed second brain can help you flourish and enable you to focus on what's most important.
- Taking Control of Your Life: Don't let big tech algorithms dictate your life. Use technology to advance your goals, not those of Mark Musk or anyone else.
Though I wouldn't exactly call myself superhuman, my Second Brain boosts me in so many ways. This has helped me be helpful to many people and be involved in multiple projects.
Conclusion
The idea behind the second brain is quite simple: using technology to enhance our natural capabilities. Whether it's documenting thoughts, managing projects, collaborating, or managing relationships, the benefits are apparent in my life, and they can be in yours too. It's about empowering yourself to be the best version of you, guided by principles that work best for you. I genuinely encourage you to develop a second brain philosophy for yourself. It's worth it, believe me!