Building a Second Brain (BASB): The Modern Note-Taker's Guide
By Serge Shammas · Feb 15, 2026 · 15 min read
Your brain is for having ideas, not for holding them. A "Second Brain" is a digital system where you store everything you learn so you can use it whenever you need it.
We are drowning in more information than any generation in human history, but we remember less of it than ever before. We read articles, listen to podcasts, and watch videos, only to forget 90% of the content within 48 hours. **Building a Second Brain (BASB)**, a methodology created by Tiago Forte, solves this by turning information consumption into creative output.
The C.O.D.E. Framework
The heart of BASB is a four-step process for managing any bit of information that crosses your path.
C
Capture
Don't save everything. Only save what "resonates" with you. Use our Notes Tool for quick capture.
O
Organize
Organize for actionability, not by source. Tiago recommends the P.A.R.A. system (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives).
D
Distill
Summarize your notes so they are easy to find and use later. Use 'Progressive Summarization' to find the essence.
E
Express
Turn your knowledge into something newa blog post, a project, or a solution. Expressions are the goal of the system. Learn how this supports Productivity for Creatives.
Read the Book: BASB
The complete guide to the system that is revolutionizing how knowledge workers manage their lives. Combined with the right Productivity Apps, it's unstoppable.
Intermediate Packets
The secret to never starting from a blank page is the concept of Intermediate Packets. These are small, reusable chunks of worka summary of a meeting, a template for a report, a set of code snippetsthat you can assemble into larger projects. Your Second Brain is the library where these packets live.
Start Your Digital Repository
The first step to a Second Brain is a central place to capture ideas. Our Notes tool is designed for friction-less entry.
Open Your Note-PadWhy You Need a Second Brain
- Reduce Mental Stress: When you know your system has the info, you can stop worrying about forgetting.
- Accelerate Creativity: Creativity is just pattern matching. The more data you have in your brain, the more patterns you can see.
- Scale Your Output: Build on top of your past work instead of reinventing the wheel every time.