Don’t Treat Your Life as a Project - How Note Taking Can Help You Become an Expert

Don’t Treat Your Life as a Project - How Note Taking Can Help You Become an Expert

In our modern society, it is commonplace to think of our lives as narratives, stories that we tell ourselves to make sense of our experiences. However, philosopher Galen Strawson argues that this idea is flawed and that he personally does not see his life as a narrative at all. This raises an interesting question about whether or not our lives need to have a coherent narrative structure in order to be considered successful.

Strawson's criticism of the narrative view of life can be separated into three main elements. The first is the belief that we are bound to present our lives as coherent narrative wholes. The second is the ethical idea that a good life must have a coherent narrative, and that we must tell that narrative to ourselves. The third element is the realization that our lives are far more complex and multifaceted than any narrative can capture.

When we try to fit our lives into a single narrative arc, we set ourselves up for potential failure. By defining our lives by the outcome of a single enterprise or story, we limit ourselves and miss out on the abundance of experiences and small successes that make up a life. Life is not a binary of success or failure, but a continuous journey of growth and learning.

This idea of embracing the digressive amplitude of being alive ties in with the concept of note-taking and its role in becoming an expert. In ill-structured domains, where concepts are variable and messy, note-taking becomes a crucial tool for accelerating expertise and building an adaptive worldview.

Cognitive Flexibility Theory (CFT) explains how experts in ill-structured domains reason by comparison to previous cases rather than relying on first principles. They construct temporary schemas on the fly by combining fragments of previous cases and develop an adaptive worldview that allows for multiple prototypes and perspectives. Note-taking in this context becomes a way to collect and connect fragments of cases, creating a rich library of knowledge and experiences.

To apply CFT principles to note-taking, it is recommended to use a hypertextual system that allows for backlinking and organizing concepts and cases. By highlighting concepts and backlinking them to other cases, the learner can create a network of interconnected knowledge that mirrors the way experts reason in ill-structured domains.

The process of constructing a CFT hypertext system starts with selecting a note-taking app with backlinking capabilities. Cases from various sources can be copied into the app and marked up with concepts and case features. The goal is to break down passages into smaller segments that can be easily accessed through backlinks. It is important to continually seek out new and diverse cases to expand the library of fragments and enhance learning.

By utilizing a CFT-inspired note-taking system, learners can accelerate their expertise in ill-structured domains. This approach challenges the primacy of first principles thinking and emphasizes the importance of learning from experience and the interconnectedness of knowledge.

In conclusion, it is not necessary to treat our lives as projects with a linear narrative structure. Life is complex and multifaceted, and there is value in embracing the abundance of experiences and small successes it offers. Similarly, in the realm of expertise, note-taking plays a crucial role in navigating ill-structured domains and developing an adaptive worldview. By collecting and connecting fragments of cases, learners can accelerate their learning and build a robust knowledge base. Remember that life and learning are continuous journeys, not definitive outcomes, and appreciate the digressive amplitude of being alive.

Actionable Advice:

1. Embrace the complexity of life and resist the urge to define your worth based on a single narrative arc. Recognize that success and failure are not binary, but rather a continuous journey of growth and learning.
2. Incorporate note-taking into your learning process, especially in ill-structured domains. Use a hypertextual system with backlinking capabilities to connect concepts and cases, allowing for a more holistic and interconnected understanding.
3. Continually seek out new and diverse cases to expand your knowledge base. Look for cases that challenge your current understanding and provide fresh perspectives. By doing so, you can enhance your expertise and develop an adaptive worldview.

Remember, life is not a project to be completed, but a journey to be experienced. Embrace the complexity, take notes along the way, and enjoy the digressive amplitude of being alive.