Progressive Summarisation for Physical Books
Good systems take a little from everywhere and are unique. This is my way of taking notes from books.
If you have ever watched Gilmore Girls, then I am turning into Rory Gilmore. I have a drawer of books as well as several bookcases. I also have a backpack heavy enough to cause damage with the number of books I carry.
I am also a fan of productivity and am determined not to just read and discard books without getting something out of them. Most of my reading is used in my writing or social media posts.
This first attracted me to Tiago Forte's second brain and his system for summarising books, known as progressive summarisation.
What is a Second Brain
Have you ever wished you could duplicate your brain for extra storage and creativity? Well, that's the dream, right? Tiago Forte's "Building a Second Brain" is as close as it gets! Imagine having a second brain to help you organise, retrieve, and amplify your ideas. It's like having a twin, but one excellent at memory and creativity.
Tiago's secret sauce starts with creating a digital playground for your ideas. You're building your brain's version of Disneyland. It's not about saving everything but choosing the gems—just like picking the ripest apples at the orchard. The best part?
In a nutshell, Tiago Forte's "Building a Second Brain" is like having a personal brainstorming partner who never gets tired. It's about supercharging your thinking, organising your digital life, and freeing your creativity. If you are interested, you can read a more detailed version here.
Progressive Summarisation
Now, if you're thinking, "Wait, isn't summarisation just a fancy word for 'making things shorter'? We're talking about a place that knows every book and which pages have the juiciest bits. That's Progressive Summarisation!
Step 1: The Highlighter
You start by casually reading a book or an article, as usual. But here's where the magic happens: you take your digital or actual highlighter and mark the bits that make your brain cells dance a little. These are the gold nuggets, the gems, the parts you'd show off at a dinner party if you were that kind of person.
Step 2: Bold and Italicise
Now, you go through your highlights and pick the highlights of your highlights. Think of it as levelling up in a video game, but instead of a fancy sword, you're using bold and italics to emphasise the juiciest bits. You're not just reading; you're curating like a pro. This is where Tiago Forte's genius shines: it's like decluttering your brain's attic.
Step 3: The Art of Summarisation
After the bold and italic festivities, it's time to get even more concise. This is where you craft a summary of those bold and italicised parts. Think of it as distilling the finest whiskey. It's not just about the quantity but the quality of the information you're left with. You're turning a thick book into a CliffNotes version, but one that still carries all the punch.
These are the nuggets you can use in your writing.
The Book Method
A large part of what Tiago Forte suggests is through using a computer or application. Although I love my technology, sometimes you can't beat a physical book; it is the smell, I think.
Reading physical books and writing with a pen and paper has also been found to help retain information much easier. Plus, I am trying to lead by example with my family and put down the gadgets. It is working, as both my girls have been found with books in their hands.
So, how do I adapt Tiago's method for physical books? It is straightforward; however, I am sure it is going to cause controversy because not only do I write in my books, but I fold corners. You can leave now if this has just sent a shiver up your spine.
Reading with Purpose
First, I mainly read paperbacks because I find these easier to hold. That is not essential, you do you. I sit down with my shiny new book, and after sniffing the pages a couple of times, I open it and peruse the contents. This gives me an idea of where the book is going.
As I read, I keep a pen beside me and underline passages that appeal. This could be facts for my writing or beautiful prose that makes me stop. I don't think too deeply; I highlight everything that resonates. Sometimes, I will put thoughts in the margin. For each of the pages I have marked, I turn the corner. This is my first pass.
After finishing my book, I let it sit for a couple of days before revisiting the turned pages. Even if these still resonate with me or I want to think deeply about them, I put a sticky tag on them. I don't do this while reading as I hate the feel of them on my hands. Essentially, this is me bold and italicising my original highlights.
Lastly, I will add the most essential passages from the highlights to my second brain or commonplace book. Some may be thought-provoking, and I journal on them. This is my final pass-through.
This system results in me finding additional quotes or notes when needed in my writing.
Tips and Tricks
Several other little adjustments you can make will make a difference to your summarising of books. That is to write all the notes in your own words. This is a good method of ensuring you understand the highlighted concepts.
If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Einstein
Tiago's Progressive summarisation is all about getting to the core, the essence of what you've read. It's like turning a complicated dish into a simple, mouthwatering recipe even your pet goldfish could understand.
It is also about reading for a purpose and using your reading to influence future articles.