How I Use Obsidian for Creating Projects & Organizing Source Material
I use Obsidian (free software) to organize my ideas, source materials, as well as my workflow notes. However, organizing ideas, favorite books, articles, website links, songs, and movies can become a time-consuming activity that doesn't leave much time and space to actually work on my projects. So, I've decided to shift from merely storing things to actively using Obsidian for production. The pros of Obsidian include customizable features and community plugins, but there are also cons, such as the challenge of navigating through numerous features and community plugins.
For this project, titled "How I Use Obsidian for Creating Projects & Organizing Source Material" I am committing to utilizing Obsidian exclusively throughout the four planned stages. Before delving into the details, let me provide a brief overview of some basics from their website:
Obsidian is a private and flexible writing app that adapts to the way you think.
Obsidian, powered by markdown, offers a versatile note-taking experience with the convenience of local or cloud storage options, all within a free-to-use framework. It begins with the establishment of a Vault, essentially a comprehensive container for your notes and files. For instance, I've named my Vault "Art Website," from which I've organized various folders and notes. The flexibility extends to the ability to name or rename folders and notes, and the option to nest folders within one another. Additionally, Obsidian facilitates seamless note interconnectivity through features like backlinks and tags.
I've incorporated Obsidian into my workflow for two primary purposes. Firstly, as a repository for preserving noteworthy concepts, captivating images, insightful videos, or anything else that I come across and deem valuable. This underscores the importance of a selective approach, ensuring that each import holds significance rather than indiscriminately dumping entire libraries of information or media. Secondly, I've committed to leveraging Obsidian as a creative hub for generating content across various platforms. This encompasses the production of engaging blog posts, thought-provoking podcast episodes, and visually compelling YouTube videos.
It's tempting to engage in a constant cycle of organizing and reorganizing files and folders, and it's essential to recognize that there isn't a single correct method to do so. Personally, I found myself dedicating numerous hours to watching YouTube tutorials on the subject before realizing that the most effective way to learn is by actively making notes and adjusting my approach as I progress. To guide this process, I've established a structured plan on my Kanban board (see image below). This plan consists of four distinct stages, each with its set of tasks to be accomplished, accompanied by a curated list of pertinent online and software tools.
This is my first rodeo using my new system, my first go, my first attempt and I decided to showcase my system here as the topic for two reasons. Firstly, breaking down and presenting the steps forces me to engage in a meticulous learning process; there's no room for shortcuts. To effectively present it online, I really need to learn this by doing it, since I'm going to present it online. This leads to the second reason, which is the possibility this video might help someone out there who is overwhelmed with Obsidian's many features. There's a chance that this video could serve as a guiding light for those feeling overwhelmed by Obsidian's array of functionalities.
Here is my new Daily Note set-up which incorperates my crreative work / my project. I have a note for each day since 2022.
Here are some of my Source Material categories, accompanied by 8 arrows.
This is the template for Podcast metadata.
Created this using the built-in Canvas Tool.
Conclusion
In summary, I use Obsidian to organize my ideas and workflow notes, transitioning from storage to active production. Obsidian's pros include customization and community plugins, but navigating its features presents challenges. My commitment involves exclusively using Obsidian for a project, leveraging its versatility for blog posts, podcasts, and videos. The learning process involves a structured plan on my Kanban board. Through showcasing my system, I aim to help others overwhelmed by Obsidian's features.