205. A Hands-On Guide To Zettelkasten Notes: Practical Advice from Expert Bob Doto

Exam Study Expert: ace your exams with the science of learning

Today we’re revisiting the Zettelkasten system for capturing and organising your notes, with esteemed expert Bob Doto. Bob has effectively codified the Zettelkasten methodology, written the excellent go-to primer on the topic, and moderates the popular r/Zettelkasten subreddit community.

So few have thought more about the practical implementation of Zettelkasten than Bob. And today we’re breaking down a lean Zettelkasten workflow for anyone interested in starting the method, but with a particular interest in academic use.

From initial note-taking through to the anatomy of different note types, and with clear steps and live examples, Bob will help you see the value of making connections between your notes, thoughts and ideas.

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Find out more about today’s guest, Bob Doto:

• Discover more resources on his website: https://bobdoto.computer/

• Discover his book, System for Writing: https://geni.us/bobdoto *

• Join in the conversation on the Zettelkasten subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Zettelkasten/

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Discover more resources from today’s episode:

• Dive further into the Zettelkasten method with Dr Sönke Ahrens, in episode 199: https://examstudyexpert.com/zettelkasten/

• Discover Sönke’s book on Zettelkasten, How to Take Smart Notes: https://geni.us/zettelkasten *

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More episodes you may love:

• For a complementary note-taking system, try episode 165 with Jorge Arango: https://www.buzzsprout.com/267857/episodes/15751448

• Learn how to stop procrastinating and finish your dissertation with Dr Alison Miller in episode 191: https://examstudyexpert.com/alison/

• Tune into a masterclass on faster, better, clearer writing with Dr Alix Hibble in episode 192: https://www.buzzsprout.com/267857/episodes/17261165

• If you’re working on a PhD or doctorate, check out episode 17 featuring tips from Oxbridge PhD students: https://examstudyexpert.com/how-to-survive-a-phd/

• Join a candid, relatable roundtable on PhD experiences with Dr Alix Hibble and Dr Kerri Edinburgh, in episode 124: https://examstudyexpert.com/celebrating-phds/

• For a mindset and productivity classic, join bestselling productivity author Chris Bailey in episode 29: https://examstudyexpert.com/chris-bailey/

• Or discover concentration tactics from world-renowned specialist Professor Stefan van der Stigchel in episode 60: https://examstudyexpert.com/concentration-stefan-van-der-stigchel/

• And finally, discover the motivation to study with rockstar academic Dr Erika Patall in episode 43: https://examstudyexpert.com/erika-patall/

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Podcast edited by Kerri Edinburgh.

* As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases on suggested books.

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فصول

1. Welcome And Episode Setup (00:00:00)

2. Why Zettelkasten And Today’s Focus (00:04:50)

3. Meet Bob And His Background (00:07:34)

4. What Zettelkasten Actually Is (00:12:39)

5. Bottom‑Up Linking Versus Folders (00:19:45)

6. Unlearning Categories And Getting Started (00:27:58)

7. Workflow Overview: Fleeting To Main Notes (00:31:12)

8. Literature Notes And Personal Indexing (00:37:29)

9. The Inbox: Triage And Transfer (00:45:06)

10. What To Capture While Reading (00:51:05)