Posts

Imagine you have been tending a garden for years — planting seeds, pulling weeds, carefully arranging beds. Then one day a skilled assistant arrives who already knows your garden by heart: where the roses go, how the soil prefers to drain, which paths you walk most often. You no longer need to explain the layout every time. You just say what you want to grow, and together you make it happen. That is roughly what happened when I connected an AI agent to my Zettelkasten. ...

The Challenge: Prose and Manual Processes Business rules are the invisible framework of your company. They determine how decisions are made, what criteria must be met, and how workflows are structured. However, today these rules are often documented in policies, guidelines, and best practices in pure “prose.” The problem? - When handling customer inquiries, orders, or complaints, employees must sift through documentation to find the relevant rules. - This is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. ...

Imagine you have a reliable compass that guides you from the roots of Lean in manufacturing all the way to modern approaches in IT and services. That’s exactly what we’ll explore here: how Lean began at Toyota, how it evolved into Agile and DevOps – and what practical steps you can take yourself. The Starting Point Lean in Manufacturing Your compass’s “North” lies in Japan in the 1950s, when Toyota began developing a new production system. This Toyota Production System (TPS) was built on: ...

Navigating Specialized Language Like an Experienced Sailor Learning foreign languages is like sailing on open waters: without the right equipment and technique, you quickly find yourself stuck. One of the biggest challenges is mastering specialized vocabulary, which is often missing from conventional textbooks. In this post, I demonstrate how to systematically acquire specialized terminology—using Dutch sailing terminology as an example, but with a method that can be applied to any language or field. ...

Have you ever tried to efficiently extract information from a PDF? Whether you need the content for documentation, a blog project, or better organization, converting PDFs to Markdown provides a clear and flexible way to access and work with that information. With marker [1], you have a powerful tool at your fingertips to do just that. In this post, I’ll show you how to set up and use marker-pdf to transform PDFs into Markdown files. Markdown is a versatile, text-based format that’s perfect for structured content. This approach will help you quickly unlock important information and make it actionable for your projects. ...

In personal knowledge management, a Zettelkasten can serve as a lifelong companion for capturing, organizing, and interlinking ideas. However, while the benefits of the Zettelkasten method are widely discussed, less attention is given to the underlying system’s longevity. A robust setup ensures that your notes remain accessible and usable regardless of how software and tools evolve. In this post, I’ll walk you through my setup, which prioritizes durability, portability, and adaptability, and explain the practical benefits from a user perspective. ...

Imagine turning your long drives into a personal language lab. No more wasted time—just an opportunity to improve your language skills effectively, without needing a screen or taking your hands off the wheel. Sounds fascinating, doesn’t it? If you’ve ever tried to learn a foreign language, you’ve likely noticed how hard it can be to find methods that seamlessly fit into your daily routine. That’s where my approach comes in: interactive language exercises in MP3 format that make learning possible and flexible during long drives. ...

The Zettelkasten thrives on clear, coherently linked notes. But how can you ensure that every new note meets these standards? This is where staging comes in – a process that not only checks the quality of your notes but also ensures their seamless integration into your knowledge network. The Staging Process: Steps to Note Quality The staging process ensures that every note meets the high standards of an effective Zettelkasten. The following criteria play a central role: ...

Imagine having a digital assistant that helps you structure your thoughts, create connections, and take your knowledge to the next level. That’s exactly what a Custom GPT can do for you when you use the Zettelkasten method. Why a Custom GPT Enhances Your Knowledge The Zettelkasten method is characterized by its ability to interlink ideas and foster long-term learning. However, it requires discipline and care. A Custom GPT can significantly ease this process by supporting you with key aspects of the system. ...

Have you ever tried to grasp a sprawling, endlessly branching topic? Just like a tree with unchecked growth, knowledge can sometimes feel overwhelming. But, just as a skilled gardener shapes a tree, you can structure your thinking – with tools like collecting notes. These quiet heroes of order and creativity are ready to bundle and interlink your knowledge. Niklas Luhmann, the father of the Zettelkasten method, mastered this technique: up to 25 references could be found on a single collecting note. It’s a fascinating way to bring clarity while leaving space for new ideas. ...