Confused by all the productivity tools out there?

Join me for a conversation today at 2 pm ET with Francesco D’Alessio, creator of Tool Finder and one of the most trusted voices in the world of productivity software.

Francesco has reviewed more than 600 apps over the past decade, and together, we’ll unpack what actually matters when choosing tools in 2025—especially if you’re getting started or want to simplify your setup.

There will be time for Q&A and, of course, we’re recording this event. We’ll share the replay with anyone who registers.

Before You Hit “Send” or “Schedule”—Try This First

In the modern workplace, one of the most overlooked challenges is knowing how to communicate. Should this be a quick Slack message, a detailed email, or a full-on meeting?

Most teams have no clear rules—and when we choose the wrong method, we lose time, clarity, and momentum.

This month in the Second Brain Membership, we’re focused on streamlining communication. And we’ve been working on a simple framework to help you choose the right channel for the job.

Start with this principle: Default to the simplest, least disruptive option—unless the situation demands otherwise

To know when it does, try the 3S Test:

• Sensitivity – Is it emotionally charged or easy to misinterpret?
• Scope – How many people are involved? How complex is it?
• Stakes – What happens if it’s misunderstood or delayed?

The higher the sensitivity, scope, or stakes, the more a real-time conversation makes sense. Otherwise, async wins.

We’d love your take: Does this framework resonate with your experience? What’s missing? Could you apply it in your work? Just hit reply and let us know.

Productive Disorder: The Hidden Power of Chaos, Noise, and Randomness

What if the chaos you’re trying to eliminate is exactly what you need more of?

In this new piece, I share a story from 18th-century forestry that radically shifted my view of order and productivity—and how that same story applies to the way we organize our time, our tools, and even our thoughts.

From jazz ensembles to flea markets, from messy offices to noisy cafés, disorder isn’t just something to manage—it can be a strategic advantage.

You’ll walk away with surprising benefits of messiness and how to harness them to be more creative, efficient, and resilient.

Set Up PARA for OneNote to Organize Your Life in 2025

Andy Park published an updated walkthrough on how to set up the PARA Method in Microsoft OneNote.

I know many of you are using the Microsoft ecosystem at work, so this will help you create a flexible system that keeps your notes structured and useful.

The Self-Organizing Knowledge Base That Grows Smarter the More You Use It I swear, building a Second Brain is getting easier and easier. ​Recall is a new app and browser extension that acts as your personal research assistant and knowledge organizer. You can instantly save, summarize, and chat with YouTube videos, PDFs, articles, and more. Then, Recall automatically connects key ideas across everything you've saved, creating your personal knowledge graph. They also offer Augmented Browsing, where Recall resurfaces related content in real time as you browse — making learning and discovery seamless. Smarter research, effortless recall — try it for yourself. Use the code RECALLTIAGO25 for 25% off a subscription to Recall. Valid until May 1, 2025. Get started with Recall Thanks to Recall for sponsoring this newsletter!

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