You may have encountered the term PKM, short for Personal Knowledge Management, while exploring ways to boost your organisation and productivity. But have you learnt how to harness the power of PKM to become more focused, and efficient in your daily life?
As the creators of Horse Browser, PKM is a topic that’s close to our hearts. We understand the crucial role PKM plays in navigating the vast, often chaotic, world wide web. In fact, we built our browser to address this very challenge, offering a way to streamline the immense flow of information and make it manageable. In this blog post, we’re going to deep dive into what Personal Knowledge Management is, and how you can create your own PKM system to optimise your workflows and documentation.
We will cover:
- What is Personal Knowledge Management?
- Why Is It Important To Create Your Own PKM System?
- How To Create Your Own PKM System
What Is Personal Knowledge Management (PKM)?
Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) refers to the way individuals collect, organise, and use knowledge to enhance productivity, learning, and creativity. In today’s information-driven world, PKM is an essential skill for anyone who wants to manage the deluge of data, thoughts, and ideas that cross their path daily.
Why Is It Important To Have Your Own PKM System?
In today’s digital age, the sheer volume of information we encounter can be overwhelming. Without a structured way to handle the constant influx of data, it's easy to become lost in a sea of disorganised thoughts and fragmented knowledge. Research shows that annually the average knowledge worker spends:
- 240 hours searching for files and information.
- 40 days to compensate for things they forgot or lost
- between 40 and 400 hours messing around with their computer
A personal knowledge management (PKM) system is vital because it gives you control over the flow of information. It helps you capture, organise, and retrieve knowledge when you need it most.
Having your own PKM system also ensures that your learning and productivity are purposeful. Instead of passively consuming content, you’re able to actively engage with it, distilling valuable insights and connecting them to what you already know. This process supports better decision-making and problem-solving, as you can easily recall relevant information from a well-organized knowledge base. Additionally, a robust PKM system turns the act of collecting information into a long-term investment, building a personal repository that grows with you over time.
Moreover, a personalised PKM system is uniquely tailored to your workflow and preferences. What works for one person may not work for another, which is why having a system that reflects your needs is essential. Whether you prefer a digital-first approach or a combination of physical and digital tools, a PKM system empowers you to keep track of information in a way that enhances both your personal and professional life. This autonomy fosters continuous growth and learning, ultimately making you more efficient and resilient in managing the demands of daily life.
How to Create Your Own PKM System
Getting started with your own Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) system might seem overwhelming at first, but the key is to start small and build your system gradually. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Define The Goals For Your PKM System
Begin by understanding what you want your PKM system to achieve. Are you trying to better organise your work projects, enhance personal learning, or streamline research? Knowing your primary objective will help you choose the right tools and structure. Take a few minutes to jot down what you need your system to be and which parts of your life you need it to cover.
2. Choose The Core Tech Tools For Your PKM System
Based on your goals, select one or two essential tools to start with. For example, if taking notes is your main focus, you might start with Notion or Obsidian. If working or researching online is a big part of your day, consider adding Horse Browser for efficient web browsing.
3. Set Up Your Capture Process
The first step in any PKM system is capturing information. Identify the ways you typically collect information—whether it's through web browsing, taking notes during meetings, or reading books—and set up a simple way to capture this data consistently. You need to capture and store information in only one or two places for a truly efficient system. Set up a note-taking app to automatically synch across devices so you can capture ideas anytime. Here at Horse Browser, we’ve created an import feature where you can import links that you’ve saved in places such as Notion or Apple Notes.
4. Organise Information Gradually
Don’t worry about organising everything at once. As you collect information, start creating categories that make sense to you. For instance, you can create folders in Notion or Horse Browser for different projects or use backlinks in Obsidian to connect related ideas. Over time, your structure will evolve and adapt to your needs.
5. Integrate Knowledge Retrieval
A critical part of PKM is being able to easily retrieve what you've stored. Tools like Readwise or even basic search features within your note-taking apps can help you surface insights when you need them. Organising your information in a way that allows for quick retrieval ensures that your PKM system remains useful over the long term.
6. Experiment and Refine Your PKM System
Your Personal Knowledge Management system is not set in stone. It’s important to experiment with different methods and tools to see what works best for you. For example, if you’re more of a visual thinker, adding a mind-mapping tool like Kinopio or using Horse Browser's Trails for web organisation might be particularly helpful. Don’t hesitate to tweak your process as you become more familiar with your workflow.
7. Incorporate Physical Tools (Optional)
If you enjoy brainstorming or reflecting on paper, you can integrate physical tools like notebooks or whiteboards into your PKM system. You might find it useful to jot down ideas in a notebook and later transfer them into your digital system for long-term storage.
8. Stay Consistent With Your PKM System
The most important part of a PKM system is consistency. Schedule time to review, organise, and update your information regularly. Whether it’s once a week or a daily practice, consistency ensures that your PKM system remains useful and up-to-date, helping you manage information effectively in the long run.
By following these steps, you’ll gradually develop a PKM system that works for you. Start small, and build your system piece by piece. Over time, you’ll find that your ability to manage knowledge and information becomes much smoother and more effective.
Want more?
What Is Personal Knowledge Management (PKM)?Meet Horse Browser’s Power Users: Digital Exploration and Personal Growth with Beth McClelland
