For those of you struggling to manage your tasks, projects, time, and even money, this post could be a lifesaver.

Please note that this post is primarily directed towards Notion users, and while it may contain some advanced terminology, I'll do my best to keep things simple.

I have combined multiple templates from a number of Notion experts like ​Thomas Frank​, ​Red Gregory​ which can cost anywhere between $100 to $250 to build my own second brain.

But before we dive into the workspace, let me clarify the concept of a 'second brain.' We're all familiar with how our brains operate, with neurons, the Medulla Oblongata, and so on. Essentially, our brains store and retrieve information swiftly when needed. A 'second brain' serves a similar purpose, offering on-demand storage and retrieval of information, be it in the form of notes on paper, digital files, or voice memos. Personally, I prefer digital notes for their accessibility, and I've experimented with numerous note-taking apps to craft my ideal workspace. Notion emerged as the all-in-one solution that fulfilled all my requirements. So I built this.

With this workspace, I've effectively managed both my personal and professional life. You can duplicate my workspace and follow along with this article to set it up for yourself here​.

Before we delve into the practical use of this workspace, let me introduce you to the underlying concept - the PARA method, a systematic approach to organizing your life.

While my workspace is inspired by PARA, it's not limited to this system. Numerous workspace templates are available online, both for purchase and for free. The workspace I'm sharing with you incorporates the best elements from various popular 'second brain' templates.

My workspace comprises five core modules, all interconnected:

• Projects

• Folders & Notes

• Resources

• Archives 

• Dashboard

Projects

Think of this module as your project management hub. For effective project management, a hierarchical structure is essential. Within projects, you can have multiple tasks, and within those tasks, you can create sub-tasks. This workspace mirrors this structure closely.

Each project includes a detailed definition, creation date, and an option to archive it once completed. A progress bar tracks the task completion progress associated with each project. The project features fields for associated Notes and Project Tasks, forming connections with other modules.

In my role in product management, I create projects for various features, whether they involve new UI pages or planned integrations. Projects serve as the parent module to which everything else is linked.

Tasks

Tasks are the fundamental units for measuring daily activities and tracking project progress. You can create tasks for even the smallest activities. These tasks can be linked to projects or other tasks, forming parent-child relationships. This structure helps organize and quantify your workload, enabling you to review completed tasks from the previous week before Monday meetings.

Additionally, there are various properties within this database that you can customize according to your needs that I myself don't use that often. 

To-Dos

To-dos represent the smallest components in your workspace, ideal for capturing minor tasks that may not fit within your projects but are still relevant and can be attached to any project.

Folders & Notes

This module handles all your project-related paperwork, from meeting notes to rough project documentation. You can associate notes with tasks and projects, and for added organization, you can categorize notes by placing them in different folders.

Resources

The Resources module serves as a database for storing URLs. Whether it's writer documents or Figma designs, you can categorize and catalogue links by their associated projects.

Any link you add and tag with a project will automatically appear in the Projects tab under the 'Related Docs' section.

Archives

The Archives contain, well, an archive of everything you have archived.

Finally, the dashboard presents a beautifully organized overview of your entire workspace, providing a quick snapshot of your ongoing tasks and projects.

Remember, this is a customizable template - feel free to modify, delete, or add components. You can even manage your finances, record your reading list and much more.