memex/inbox/index.org

Second Brain

• 🧠 Second Brain Setup
• Directory Structure
• Methods Integration
• PARA Explained
• Quick Links
• Statistics
• Maintenance

🧠 Second Brain Setup

This is the central hub for our knowledge management system using:

• Org-mode for structure
• org-roam for Zettelkasten linking
• org-gtd for task management
• PARA for organization (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archive)

Core Principles:

1. Capture everything to inbox_mind.org/ → Zero friction entry
2. Clarify daily → Process into system or discard
3. Connect knowledge → Use org-roam linking
4. Create from notes → Publish to 4_published/
5. Maintain → Archive to 5_archive/ when inactive

Directory Structure

mind/
├── inbox_mind.org/              # CAPTURE zone (zero friction)
│   └── process daily → clarify and file
├── 1_thinking/           # MY notes and synthesis
│   ├── dailies/          # org-roam-dailies (journal, logs)
│   └── notes/            # Permanent notes (Zettelkasten)
├── 2_reference/          # EXTERNAL knowledge
│   ├── tools/            # Tool documentation, CLI guides
│   ├── approaches/       # Methods, patterns, workflows
│   └── sources/          # Books, articles, papers
├── 3_creating/           # WORK IN PROGRESS
│   └── drafts/           # Blog posts, projects, plans
├── 4_published/          # FINISHED WORK
│   └── archive/          # Dated publications
├── 5_archive/            # INACTIVE (not deleted, just archived)
├── 6_projects/           # ACTIVE PROJECTS
│   └── [project-name]/   # Each project = subfolder
├── 7_system/             # Templates and scripts
│   ├── config/           # Emacs/org config
│   └── scripts/          # Automation scripts
└── attachments/          # Images, PDFs, non-text files

Methods Integration

Zettelkasten (org-roam)

• Notes in 1_thinking/notes/ get an ID
• Link with Description
• Build Maps of Content (MOCs) as indexes
• Fleeting notes → Literature notes → Permanent notes

GTD (org-gtd)

• @INBOX: 0_inbox/ processes daily
• @TODAY: What to do NOW (agenda view)
• @NEXT: Context lists (@home, @office, @call)
• @WAITING: Delegated items
• @SOMEDAY: Ideas without active planning

PARA (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archive)

• Projects: Goal + deadline → 6_projects/
• Areas: Ongoing responsibility → 1_thinking/areas/
• Resources: Reference material → 2_reference/
• Archive: Inactive items → 5_archive/

Daily Workflow

08:00 | CAPTURE: Empty brain into 0_inbox/
09:00 | CLARIFY: Process inbox → clarify or delete
10:00 | ORGANIZE: File clarified items to PARA
14:00 | CONNECT: Work in 1_thinking/, link notes
16:00 | REFLECT: Review, archive, plan tomorrow

PARA Explained

Projects (6_projects/)

• Has a deadline or clear outcome
• Example: "Build kitchen table", "Launch website v2"
• When done → archive or convert to area

Areas (1_thinking/areas/)

• Ongoing responsibility without end date
• Example: "Health", "Finances", "Skills"
• Maintained continuously

Resources (2_reference/)

• Things I may reference later
• Example: "Python Regex", "Project Management patterns"
• Actively curated

Archive (5_archive/)

• Inactive projects, areas, resources
• NOT deleted—still searchable
• Re-activate anytime

Quick Links

• Inbox Processing
• Thinking Notes
• Reference Library
• Active Projects
• Capture Templates

Statistics

(require 'org-collector)
(org-collector-todo-collector)

TODO

NEXT

DOING

WAITING

DONE

CANCELLED

TOTAL

Maintenance

Weekly Review (Every Sunday)

1. Clear 0_inbox/
2. Review 6_projects/ - close completed
3. Review agenda - update deadlines
4. Archive finished items to 5_archive/
5. Review waiting items
6. Sync notes/devices

Monthly Review

1. Rebalance Areas and Resources
2. Review Archive for reactivation
3. Update MOC indexes
4. Clean attachments/

#+END_SRC