Can AI replace a human coach?


May can be a strange month—it’s typically not the start of something new, but it’s not the home stretch either. It’s the middle. And in the middle, momentum matters.

Inside our Second Brain Membership this month, we’re zeroing in on what it really takes to move things forward. Not just planning and organizing, but doing.

Making consistent progress—even when your task list feels endless, your time is split, and your priorities keep shifting. We’re building systems that help you take action, one clear step at a time.

Here’s what our team will explore in the Office Hours:

  • How to tame your task list and prioritize what really matters
  • Working on multiple projects without losing focus (or momentum)
  • Collaborating effectively with others so things don’t fall through the cracks
  • Routines to start and end your days and weeks with clarity and intention

(You’ll also unlock instant access to everything we’ve covered so far—past themes, Office Hours, expert workshops, and more.)


I Replaced My $700/Hour Coach with NotebookLM – Here’s What Happened

Can AI replace a human coach?

In this video, I test NotebookLM as a life coach by feeding it 148,000+ words of deeply personal material – spanning 15+ years of journals, coaching notes, personality profiles, essays, and more – to uncover patterns, insights, and blind spots in my growth.

Let’s see whether AI can offer meaningful, personalized coaching based on deep context.


How Long Should You Spend Learning a New Tool?

This is one of the most common questions I get—and it’s a good one.

The short answer: the time you spend learning a tool should match the value it brings to your life or work.

Think of it like applying the “minimum effective dose”—what’s the smallest amount you need to learn to start getting real benefits?

For example, when you start using a notes app to build your Second Brain, don’t dive into advanced automations right away. Just focus on capturing what resonates and organizing it using the PARA Method. That’s often enough to create momentum.

But here’s the catch: the learning curve can become a trap. If you’re constantly tweaking, adjusting, and obsessing over the “perfect” setup, that’s a red flag.

When the effort to learn a tool outweighs the time it saves you, it’s no longer helping—it’s getting in your way. At that point, it’s time to step back and simplify.

Tools should serve you, not the other way around.


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Thanks to 1440 for sponsoring this newsletter.


Sketch Your Mind: A Fresh Take on Visual Thinking

One of the things I love most about the Second Brain community is seeing how people take the core ideas and make them their own. That’s exactly what Zsolt Viczian has done with his upcoming book, Sketch Your Mind, launching this June.

If you’re a visual thinker—or just curious about stepping outside the traditional lines—this is worth checking out.

Zsolt blends hand-drawn sketches with structured notes to create a more intuitive, fluid way of thinking on the page (no drawing skills required). It beautifully shows how the Second Brain method can adapt to different minds and learning styles.

To really see it in action, check out his video visualizing the Building a Second Brain book on a page.

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Build your Second Brain

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Create a system for productivity

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Join the global community

Join the Second Brain Membership →

Tiago Forte

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