26 Books like Building a Second Brain

Master Evernote

by S.J. Scott • 2014

How to turn Evernote into a life hub: capture everything, find anything, never lose a thought again.

3.65

752

🗂️ Digital Organization ⚙️ Productivity Systems 📝 Note-Taking ✅ Task Management 🔄 Workflow Automation

Master Evernote 97%

How to turn Evernote into a life hub: capture everything, find anything, never lose a thought again.

by S.J. Scott 2014

3.65

752 ratings

🗂️ Digital Organization ⚙️ Productivity Systems 📝 Note-Taking ✅ Task Management 🔄 Workflow Automation

How to Take Smart Notes

by Sönke Ahrens • 2025

58 books from one note-card system that treats writing as thinking, not transcription.

3.87

237

🧠 Networked Note-Taking 🎓 Academic Writing ✍️ Writing Process 🗄️ Knowledge Management 📚 Learning Strategies

How to Take Smart Notes 97%

58 books from one note-card system that treats writing as thinking, not transcription.

by Sönke Ahrens 2025

3.87

237 ratings

🧠 Networked Note-Taking 🎓 Academic Writing ✍️ Writing Process 🗄️ Knowledge Management 📚 Learning Strategies

Master Getting Things Done the David Allen Way with Evernote

by Dominic Wolff • 2013

Seven days to a working GTD setup in Evernote: the notebooks, tags, and review rhythm.

3.43

229

⚡ Personal Productivity ✅ Task Management 💻 Digital Organization 📝 Note-Taking Systems 🧠 Knowledge Management

Master Getting Things Done the David Allen Way with Evernote Summary

Master Getting Things Done the David Allen Way with Evernote 97%

Seven days to a working GTD setup in Evernote: the notebooks, tags, and review rhythm.

by Dominic Wolff 2013

3.43

229 ratings

⚡ Personal Productivity ✅ Task Management 💻 Digital Organization 📝 Note-Taking Systems 🧠 Knowledge Management

A System for Writing

by Bob Doto • 2024

90,000 notes, 500 works. The method that builds a writing engine from scattered thoughts.

4.20

425

🗂️ Note-Taking Methods ✍️ Writing Productivity 📝 Zettelkasten Method 🔗 Idea Connection 💡 Idea Capture

A System for Writing 97%

90,000 notes, 500 works. The method that builds a writing engine from scattered thoughts.

by Bob Doto 2024

4.20

425 ratings

🗂️ Note-Taking Methods ✍️ Writing Productivity 📝 Zettelkasten Method 🔗 Idea Connection 💡 Idea Capture

Organízate con eficacia

by David Allen • 2014

One trusted system for emptying your head and always knowing the next concrete step.

3.92

251

🧱 Productivity Systems 📋 Task Management 🗂️ Personal Organization 🧠 Cognitive Offloading 💻 Knowledge Work

Organízate con eficacia 96%

One trusted system for emptying your head and always knowing the next concrete step.

by David Allen 2014

3.92

251 ratings

🧱 Productivity Systems 📋 Task Management 🗂️ Personal Organization 🧠 Cognitive Offloading 💻 Knowledge Work

The Wise Men

by Walter Isaacson • 1997

Concentration is now rarer than talent. Rebuild it, protect it, and do the work machines cannot.

4.11

4k+

💼 Knowledge Work ⚙️ Productivity Systems 🎯 Deep Focus 🧠 Attention Management 🔄 Habit Design

The Wise Men 96%

Concentration is now rarer than talent. Rebuild it, protect it, and do the work machines cannot.

by Walter Isaacson 1997

4.11

4k+ ratings

💼 Knowledge Work ⚙️ Productivity Systems 🎯 Deep Focus 🧠 Attention Management 🔄 Habit Design

Mind Mapping

by Kam Knight • 2012

Boost memory and generate ideas by drawing your thoughts as branches from a central point.

3.71

370

🎨 Visual Learning 📝 Note Taking 👁️ Visual Thinking 🧠 Brain Based Learning ✨ Creativity Techniques

Mind Mapping 96%

Boost memory and generate ideas by drawing your thoughts as branches from a central point.

by Kam Knight 2012

3.71

370 ratings

🎨 Visual Learning 📝 Note Taking 👁️ Visual Thinking 🧠 Brain Based Learning ✨ Creativity Techniques

Antinet Zettelkasten

by Scott P. Scheper • 2022

The four-part analog system that produces books and breakthroughs, no digital tool required.

3.73

261

🗃️ Zettelkasten Method 🧠 Knowledge Management 📝 Note-Taking Systems ✍️ Academic Writing 💡 Combinatorial Creativity

Antinet Zettelkasten 96%

The four-part analog system that produces books and breakthroughs, no digital tool required.

by Scott P. Scheper 2022

3.73

261 ratings

🗃️ Zettelkasten Method 🧠 Knowledge Management 📝 Note-Taking Systems ✍️ Academic Writing 💡 Combinatorial Creativity

Making It All Work

by David Allen • 2003

Connect your to-do list to your life's purpose: the system that starts by clearing your head.

3.93

3k+

🧱 Productivity Systems 📋 Task Management 🧠 Cognitive Offloading 🎯 Goal Alignment 🏗️ Life Architecture

Making It All Work 96%

Connect your to-do list to your life's purpose: the system that starts by clearing your head.

by David Allen 2003

3.93

3k+ ratings

🧱 Productivity Systems 📋 Task Management 🧠 Cognitive Offloading 🎯 Goal Alignment 🏗️ Life Architecture

The Organized Mind

by Daniel J. Levitin • 2014

Attention bandwidth: 120 bits per second. Two conversations fill it. Defend the rest.

3.65

15k+

🌊 Information Overload 💼 Knowledge Work 🎯 Attention Management 🧠 Memory Systems 📋 Productivity Systems

The Organized Mind 96%

Attention bandwidth: 120 bits per second. Two conversations fill it. Defend the rest.

by Daniel J. Levitin 2014

3.65

15k+ ratings

🌊 Information Overload 💼 Knowledge Work 🎯 Attention Management 🧠 Memory Systems 📋 Productivity Systems

How to Think More Effectively

by The School of Life • 2020

Notebooks, long walks, and the right kind of envy: the thinking toolkit nobody handed you.

4.09

1k+

🏛️ Practical Philosophy 🧠 Thinking Skills 📓 Idea Capture 💡 Mental Clarity 🎨 Creative Process

How to Think More Effectively 95%

Notebooks, long walks, and the right kind of envy: the thinking toolkit nobody handed you.

by The School of Life 2020

4.09

1k+ ratings

🏛️ Practical Philosophy 🧠 Thinking Skills 📓 Idea Capture 💡 Mental Clarity 🎨 Creative Process

The Get Things Done Book

by Mikael Krogerus • 2021

A pocket toolkit of 41 methods to outwit procrastination, reclaim your focus, and finish real work.

3.87

583

🛠️ Productivity Systems ⏳ Time Management 📋 Project Management 🧠 Procrastination Science 🎯 Attention Management

The Get Things Done Book 95%

A pocket toolkit of 41 methods to outwit procrastination, reclaim your focus, and finish real work.

by Mikael Krogerus 2021

3.87

583 ratings

🛠️ Productivity Systems ⏳ Time Management 📋 Project Management 🧠 Procrastination Science 🎯 Attention Management

Secrets of Productive People

by Mark Forster • 2015

Fifty methods for doing your best work, plus the one formula most productivity books skip.

3.97

151

⏰ Time Management 📋 Task Management 🎯 Prioritization ⚙️ Personal Systems ⚡ Efficiency Methods

Secrets of Productive People 95%

Fifty methods for doing your best work, plus the one formula most productivity books skip.

by Mark Forster 2015

3.97

151 ratings

⏰ Time Management 📋 Task Management 🎯 Prioritization ⚙️ Personal Systems ⚡ Efficiency Methods

The Bullet Journal Method

by Ryder Carroll • 2018

A single notebook and five symbols to replace your apps and reclaim your focus.

4.06

33k+

📝 Analog Productivity ✍️ Journaling 🧘 Mindful Productivity ✅ Habit Tracking 🎯 Goal Setting

The Bullet Journal Method 95%

A single notebook and five symbols to replace your apps and reclaim your focus.

by Ryder Carroll 2018

4.06

33k+ ratings

📝 Analog Productivity ✍️ Journaling 🧘 Mindful Productivity ✅ Habit Tracking 🎯 Goal Setting

The Writer's Process

by Anne H. Janzer • 2016

Your brain has two writing gears. The schedule that makes them both work for you.

4.05

542

✍️ Writing Craft 💡 Creative Process 🧠 Attention Management 🌊 Flow Psychology 🧩 Cognitive Psychology

The Writer's Process 95%

Your brain has two writing gears. The schedule that makes them both work for you.

by Anne H. Janzer 2016

4.05

542 ratings

✍️ Writing Craft 💡 Creative Process 🧠 Attention Management 🌊 Flow Psychology 🧩 Cognitive Psychology

Ready for Anything

by David Allen • 2003

Clear every commitment from your head. 52 principles for building a system your mind finally trusts.

3.85

5k+

🗂️ Personal Productivity 🧠 Cognitive Offloading ✅ Task Management ⚡ Energy Management 🔄 Systems Thinking

Ready for Anything 95%

Clear every commitment from your head. 52 principles for building a system your mind finally trusts.

by David Allen 2003

3.85

5k+ ratings

🗂️ Personal Productivity 🧠 Cognitive Offloading ✅ Task Management ⚡ Energy Management 🔄 Systems Thinking

The Art of Focus

by Dan Koe • 2024

Your attention is stolen daily. The system for reclaiming it and building a one-person business.

3.81

801

🎯 Attention Management 🚀 One-Person Business 👁️ Perspective Shifting 🌱 Growth Mindset 🏗️ Lifestyle Design

The Art of Focus 95%

Your attention is stolen daily. The system for reclaiming it and building a one-person business.

by Dan Koe 2024

3.81

801 ratings

🎯 Attention Management 🚀 One-Person Business 👁️ Perspective Shifting 🌱 Growth Mindset 🏗️ Lifestyle Design

Getting Things Done

by David Allen • 2001

The system for getting commitments out of your head and onto lists you can trust.

4.00

169k+

🗂️ Personal Productivity 🧠 Cognitive Offloading 📥 Information Overload 💼 Knowledge Workers ⏳ Overcoming Procrastination

Getting Things Done 95%

The system for getting commitments out of your head and onto lists you can trust.

by David Allen 2001

4.00

169k+ ratings

🗂️ Personal Productivity 🧠 Cognitive Offloading 📥 Information Overload 💼 Knowledge Workers ⏳ Overcoming Procrastination

Manage Your Day-to-Day

by Jocelyn K. Glei • 2013

Reclaim your best creative hours from email and distraction with one rule that puts the work first.

3.98

28k+

🎨 Creative Workflow 🔕 Attention Management 🔄 Habit Design 📵 Digital Minimalism 🚧 Creative Constraints

Manage Your Day-to-Day 95%

Reclaim your best creative hours from email and distraction with one rule that puts the work first.

by Jocelyn K. Glei 2013

3.98

28k+ ratings

🎨 Creative Workflow 🔕 Attention Management 🔄 Habit Design 📵 Digital Minimalism 🚧 Creative Constraints

Idea Mapping

by Jamie Nast • 2006

Condense any complex topic onto one page with a note-taking approach that parallels how you think.

3.68

151

🎨 Visual Thinking 📚 Learning Strategies 🧠 Brain-Based Learning 💡 Creativity Techniques 🌱 Idea Generation

Idea Mapping 95%

Condense any complex topic onto one page with a note-taking approach that parallels how you think.

by Jamie Nast 2006

3.68

151 ratings

🎨 Visual Thinking 📚 Learning Strategies 🧠 Brain-Based Learning 💡 Creativity Techniques 🌱 Idea Generation

The Idea Hunter

by Andy Boynton • 2011

Curiosity, observation, and rapid prototyping: a daily system for finding ideas anywhere.

3.77

585

🧱 Systematic Creativity 🔍 Curiosity Cultivation 👁️ Observation Skills 🛠️ Prototyping 📆 Daily Practice

The Idea Hunter 95%

Curiosity, observation, and rapid prototyping: a daily system for finding ideas anywhere.

by Andy Boynton 2011

3.77

585 ratings

🧱 Systematic Creativity 🔍 Curiosity Cultivation 👁️ Observation Skills 🛠️ Prototyping 📆 Daily Practice

Total Workday Control Using Microsoft Outlook

by Michael Linenberger • 2005

The Outlook system that empties your inbox daily and keeps today's real priorities front and center.

4.03

679

📥 Email Productivity 📋 Task Management 🎯 Priority Systems 🏥 Task Triage 🧠 GTD Inspired Methods

Total Workday Control Using Microsoft Outlook Summary

Total Workday Control Using Microsoft Outlook 95%

The Outlook system that empties your inbox daily and keeps today's real priorities front and center.

by Michael Linenberger 2005

4.03

679 ratings

📥 Email Productivity 📋 Task Management 🎯 Priority Systems 🏥 Task Triage 🧠 GTD Inspired Methods

Six Frames

by Edward de Bono • 2008

You are drowning in information. Six attention shifts that turn the flood into something useful.

3.09

254

🔍 Information Literacy 🎯 Attention Management 🧠 Mental Models 📋 Decision Frameworks 💡 Critical Thinking

Six Frames 95%

You are drowning in information. Six attention shifts that turn the flood into something useful.

by Edward de Bono 2008

3.09

254 ratings

🔍 Information Literacy 🎯 Attention Management 🧠 Mental Models 📋 Decision Frameworks 💡 Critical Thinking

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knowledge Management

by Melissie Clemmons Rumizen • 2001

Turn scattered know-how into a strategic asset that outlasts any single employee.

3.48

🧠 Knowledge Management 📚 Organizational Learning 🤫 Tacit Knowledge 🗣️ Knowledge Sharing 🏢 Corporate Culture

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knowledge Management Summary

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knowledge Management 94%

Turn scattered know-how into a strategic asset that outlasts any single employee.

by Melissie Clemmons Rumizen 2001

3.48

80 ratings

🧠 Knowledge Management 📚 Organizational Learning 🤫 Tacit Knowledge 🗣️ Knowledge Sharing 🏢 Corporate Culture

Productivity SuperHero

by Dan Luca • 2016

A timer, a sticky note, and the word no: 30 days to a more disciplined you.

3.94

162

🕰️ Time Management ⚙️ Productivity Systems 💻 Digital Organization 🎯 Focus Techniques 💡 Idea Capture

Productivity SuperHero 94%

A timer, a sticky note, and the word no: 30 days to a more disciplined you.

by Dan Luca 2016

3.94

162 ratings

🕰️ Time Management ⚙️ Productivity Systems 💻 Digital Organization 🎯 Focus Techniques 💡 Idea Capture

Mind Map Mastery

by Tony Buzan • 2018

Your brain thinks in associations, not lines. A branching map can boost memory by a third.

3.52

649

🧠 Visual Thinking 📝 Note-Taking Methods 💡 Brainstorming Techniques 🐘 Memory Improvement 🧩 Cognitive Enhancement

Mind Map Mastery 94%

Your brain thinks in associations, not lines. A branching map can boost memory by a third.

by Tony Buzan 2018

3.52

649 ratings

🧠 Visual Thinking 📝 Note-Taking Methods 💡 Brainstorming Techniques 🐘 Memory Improvement 🧩 Cognitive Enhancement

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