“It’s not about the apps – it’s about the system.”

If I could send one sentence back to my 20-year-old self just embarking on the path of mastering my information consumption, that would be it.

It's so easy to think that if you could just master the ins-and-outs of your favorite note-taking method, you'd have it all figured out and your challenges with the information in your life would magically resolve.

But that's not how it works, unfortunately.

The reality is much closer to what one of my students once told me. He said, "I have ALL the tools and NONE of the results!"

So, after seeing so many people burned by the assumption that they just have find and master the right app and being disappointed myself time after time I can tell you that…no one is coming to save you.

You have to save yourself!

Apps and tools come and go, but there is one thing that endures: your system.

There is a collection of habits, principles, and techniques you can adopt that will stand the test of time even as the underlying technology changes drastically.

Think of it as an operating system, like Windows or iOS. Except for your life and work.

I call that system CODE and it's made up of four parts:

1. Capture – a way to save the most important information in a place you control
2. Organize – a way to organize the information you value long-term
3. Distill – a way to identify the most important ideas and takeaways
4. Express – a way to communicate what you've discovered

Notice that none of these are specific apps. They utilize apps to accomplish something but don't depend on any particular one.

You'll also notice that you're already doing these things in some form. Whether you're using a digital note-taking app or capturing notes on paper, you likely have a way of saving information. But arbitrarily hoarding stuff isn't enough. You also need a way to organize it, decide which bits matter, and then communicate these ideas where they're most impactful.

We're turning each of those vital functions into a holistic system. Instead of working at odds with each other, each of these subsystems can pull in the same direction and flow in harmony.

Think of it as your personal workflow, your creative process, or simply the steps you take to turn inputs into outputs.

CODE gives you an overarching framework for understanding how each of the dozens of apps and tools you use fit together.

It gives you a direction for information to move in – from left to right. And it biases all your interactions with information toward action, rather than the constant temptation of over-organizing to death.

Watch out for my next email on Saturday, where I share with you some next steps. I'll tell you about a special offer I'm putting together for you to help you have more of what you want and less of what you don't in life.

Best,
Tiago