My PKM’s mental model is the framework I use to organize all my PKM system.
It has 4 different sub-systems (although I call them “Systems” to simplify).
The 4 Systems within the mental model of my PKM are:
- Capture System.
- Process System.
- Action System.
- Think System.
This mental model’s goal is to perfectly define the workflow you should follow from capturing an idea until you do (action or thinking) something with it.
If an idea doesn’t take you to action or thinking, it’s not an idea. No need to spend a second on it.
1. Capture System
It’s the one you use to capture ideas or thoughts from your deepest inner self or the outer world.
It has to be fast because ideas sometimes appear just a few milliseconds.
It has to help the recalling process to easily re-capture the stored data.
Having a good capture system is critical because all big things in life always start from a small tiny idea.
2. Process System
It’s the one you use to filter the information you’ve captured.
Its functionality is crystal clear:
- Input: ideas.
- Output: action or thinking.
3. Action System
It’s the one you use to organize all your actions: from big projects to stupid little tiny to-dos.
It should allow you to see the big picture and the small/subtle details.
It should tell you WHAT to do and WHEN to do it to guarantee you’re always taking action into the things you should.
Everything counts towards achieving your goals in life.
4. Think System
It’s the one you use to do the most essential process in the life of a human being.
The one that makes you grow: thinking.
It should allow you to store ideas, connect them, and generate new ones, naturally helping your growth process in life.
Last Thoughts
Remember these 4 systems:
- Capture.
- Process.
- Action.
- Think.
They allow you to manage one of today’s most critical assets: data.
By managing data, you achieve the life of fulfillment and happiness you’re aiming to.
Photo by Joshua Burdick on Unsplash.