The 7 Deadly Sins
The seven deadly sins someone should be aware of when using a Zettelkasten [1] are:
Copying without comprehension
Copying information into the Zettelkasten without truly understanding or internalizing the content, hindering genuine knowledge growth.
Association without relevance
Creating connections between notes that lack meaningful relationships or relevance to your work.
Tagging without organization
Using tags excessively or inconsistently, leading to a chaotic and unstructured Zettelkasten.
Reference without understanding
Linking to external sources without fully comprehending or integrating the knowledge into your Zettelkasten.
Expansion without reflection
Adding new notes without taking the time to reflect on their implications or connections to existing knowledge.
Quantity without quality
Focusing on creating a large number of notes without ensuring the quality of content and meaningful connections.
Tool obsession without practice
Constantly switching or obsessing over Zettelkasten tools without dedicating time to actual note-taking and knowledge building.
What are your favorite sins? Which ones are missing?
References
[1] Ahrens, Sönke. How to Take Smart Notes: One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking, 2022.