... and neither do I.
Sometimes in our journey of learning, the simplest messages are the most powerful. This is what I experienced when I came across Stephen Hay’s presentation, „I Don’t Care What Airbnb is Doing (and Neither Should You).“ This talk was part of my studies in content strategy for digital publishing, and it opened my eyes in more ways than one.
The Common Struggle in Digital Design
Every day, we hear phrases like „make it pop“ or „make the logo bigger“ in the world of digital design. It’s like a shared pain among us. Hay’s talk directly addressed these common issues, capturing the audience’s attention and sympathy. He started by discussing the challenges we face, a method known as storytelling, before offering solutions. This approach is not just effective; it’s relatable.
The Trend Trap
Hay pointed out a habit many of us fall into: following trends. He asked us to imagine a world where a popular trend doesn’t exist and to think about how we would approach a problem without it. This idea was interesting, but also time-consuming. It made me think about how companies often don’t want to pay for the long process of thinking, which is essential in finding unique solutions. This approach might work for self-employed people, workaholics, or those without family constraints, but it’s tough for many others.
A Turning Point: The Note Archive
The most intriguing part of Hay’s presentation, for me, was his mention of a note archive system. It’s a way to organize insights, which I found incredibly relevant. As someone who loves collecting information, I know the frustration of not being able to find something when you need it. That’s why when Hay mentioned this system, it immediately caught my attention.
Discovering the Zettelkasten System
This led me to the concept of the Zettelkasten system and tools like Obsidian, Roam Research, Zettlr, The Archive, and Notion. I was so captivated by this idea that I stopped listening to the video. I started exploring these tools, especially Obsidian, which I downloaded right away. The Zettelkasten system is perfect for organizing thoughts in a clear and easy way. It’s like having a personal library where everything is easy to find.
Conclusion: Personalizing Your Learning Journey
This experience taught me an important lesson. Sometimes, getting sidetracked can lead to the most valuable discoveries. In content strategy, we often focus on delivering what’s expected. But it’s also about personalizing how we engage with content, finding what interests us the most, and exploring it further. It’s about finding tools and techniques that not only help us manage our work but also spark our curiosity and passion.
