Set up an Obsidian Vault Using Johnny Decimal System 🔗 **Source:** [Set up an Obsidian Vault Using Johnny Decimal System](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA) > [!note]+ Document Notes > tags: [obsidian, johnny-decimal-system, personal-knowledge-management] > author: Rick > source: YouTube > reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA > date created: 2024-12-19 16:45 > > # 🏷️ Title: Set up an Obsidian Vault Using Johnny Decimal System > <!-- deep-read:sections start --> ## 🧰 Action Inbox - [H1] Research Johnny Decimal System implementation — explore folder numbering structure #organization - [H2] Map out 10 life areas before implementing — planning phase crucial #planning - [H3] Review Nick Milo's LYT kit for beginners — free foundational resource #learning ## 🧭 Table of Contents - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) - [📚 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#️-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB Assessment](#-deib-assessment) - [✅ Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) - [🛡️ DARVO Analysis](#-darvo-analysis) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) ### 🔗 References - [Johnny Decimal System](https://johnnydecimal.com) - [Linking Your Thinking (LYT)](https://www.linkingyourthinking.com/) ## 📝 Summary - Rick demonstrates implementing the Johnny Decimal System in Obsidian for personal knowledge management - Why it matters: Provides structure for Obsidian's blank canvas approach to organization - Key stakeholders: Obsidian users seeking organizational frameworks - Risks and tradeoffs: System must be personalized; one-size-fits-all approaches fail - Bottom line: Johnny Decimal offers a numerical filing system adaptable to PKM needs ## 📖 Main Content The Johnny Decimal System, developed by Australian John Noble for filing systems, uses a structured numerical approach to organize information. Unlike systems designed specifically for PKM like Nick Milo's ACCESS/ACE or Thiago Forte's PARA, Johnny Decimal applies decimal-based categorization across life areas. The system requires upfront planning to identify 10 major categories before implementation. Rick emphasizes two fundamental rules: PKM systems are personal, and when in doubt, refer back to rule one. The system works by creating numbered categories (10s, 20s, 30s, etc.) representing different life domains, with subcategories following decimal structure. ## 🗒️ Notes #### ⏱️ [00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=0) — [H1] Introduction to PKM Structure Problem - Key idea: Obsidian provides blank canvas requiring structural decisions - Evidence: "obsidian which I use of course comes as a blank canvas so you have to start from scratch" #### ⏱️ [01:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=90) — [H1] Fundamental PKM Rules - Key idea: Personal systems must be individually tailored - Evidence: "rule number one personal Knowledge Management systems are personal they are absolutely personal" #### ⏱️ [02:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=135) — [H2] Nick Milo's LYT Recommendation - Key idea: LYT provides excellent starting point for beginners - Evidence: "if you're just starting out with per km or obsidian I really would suggest that you can't do much better than Nick Milo's light kit" #### ⏱️ [03:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=180) — [H2] ACCESS System Evolution - Key idea: Even established systems evolve over time - Evidence: "this has since evolved into Ace Ace which now stands for Atlas cards and efforts" #### ⏱️ [03:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=210) — [H2] PARA System Overview - Key idea: Thiago Forte's Building a Second Brain uses PARA structure - Evidence: "that acronym stands for P for projects a for areas R for resources and a for archives" #### ⏱️ [04:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=240) — [H1] Johnny Decimal System Origins - Key idea: System designed for general filing, not specifically PKM - Evidence: "it wasn't developed specifically for personal Knowledge Management or obsidian... it was developed for organizing filing systems" #### ⏱️ [04:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=285) — [H2] Implementation Planning Requirement - Key idea: Requires upfront planning of 10 life areas - Evidence: "the way to do it is actually just sit down and try and nut out 10 different areas of your life" #### ⏱️ [05:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=315) — [H3] System Flexibility - Key idea: Structure can be modified and includes blank spaces for future use - Evidence: "there have been a few modifications with mine... I've actually even got a couple of blanks there" #### ⏱️ [05:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=330) — [H3] Category 00: Processing Areas - Key idea: Inbox and simmering areas for temporary content - Evidence: "the inbox is really just where things get dumped... simmering" #### ⏱️ [06:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=360) — [H3] Category 10: Personal Interests - Key idea: Interests include AI, philosophy, travel, photography - Evidence: "10 I've got split up into my interests artificial intelligence philosophy Concepts travel and photography" #### ⏱️ [06:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=390) — [H3] Category 20: Creative Output - Key idea: Creations encompass articles, papers, videos, images - Evidence: "the 20 Creations are the things that I do articles... papers... videos... images" #### ⏱️ [07:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=420) — [H3] Categories 60-80: Professional and Learning - Key idea: Professional covers boards, presentations, tools, coaching - Evidence: "professional area I've got the boards and committees... presentations and talks... coaching and mentoring" #### ⏱️ [08:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=480) — [H2] Obsidian Vault Structure Detail - Key idea: Category 30 breaks into general, attachments, plugins, templates, training - Evidence: "obsidian general... attachments... plugins... templates... training and courses" #### ⏱️ [09:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=570) — [H1] System Satisfaction and Adaptation - Key idea: Johnny Decimal suits this user but may not suit everyone - Evidence: "I'm really glad that I found the Johnny Decimal System... if it doesn't keep searching until you find something that does suit" ## 📚 References - [Johnny Decimal System](https://johnnydecimal.com/) - [Linking Your Thinking](https://www.linkingyourthinking.com/) - [Building a Second Brain - PARA Method](https://fortelabs.co/blog/para/) ## 🗣️ Paraphrase - PKM systems require personal customization rather than adopting others' structures wholesale - Johnny Decimal applies numerical organization principles from filing systems to digital knowledge management - Implementation requires upfront planning to identify major life categories before building folder structure ## 📰 Newsletter **Organize Your Knowledge with the Johnny Decimal System** Struggling with Obsidian's blank canvas? The Johnny Decimal System offers a structured approach to organizing your digital knowledge. Originally designed for filing systems, this numerical framework helps PKM users create clear hierarchies across life domains. Key benefits include reduced folder proliferation, clear categorization boundaries, and flexibility for future growth. Remember: the best system is the one tailored to your specific needs and workflows. **Getting Started:** 1. Identify 10 major life areas 2. Assign decimal categories (10s, 20s, 30s) 3. Create subcategories as needed 4. Leave room for evolution Resources: [Learn WordPress](https://learn.wordpress.org/), [Developer Docs](https://developer.wordpress.org/), [WP-CLI](https://wp-cli.org/) ## ✅ Action Items #### DevRel - Create PKM organization workshops for developer communities - Develop templates for technical knowledge organization - Document system evolution for developer documentation practices #### Community - Share organizational frameworks in PKM communities - Create beginner-friendly guides for system implementation - Foster discussions about personal vs. standardized approaches #### WordPress - Training: Develop organizational method modules for knowledge management - Documentation: Apply structured numbering to documentation hierarchies - Community: Share PKM best practices in WordPress learning resources ## 🧪 Hypotheses - Numerical organization systems reduce cognitive load in digital environments - Upfront planning investment improves long-term PKM system sustainability - Personal customization is essential for PKM system adoption success - Hybrid approaches combining multiple systems yield better results than pure implementations ### 📊 Methodology - Survey users of different PKM organizational systems for satisfaction metrics - A/B test numerical vs. alphabetical folder organization for retrieval speed - Longitudinal study tracking system evolution over 12-month periods ### ❓ Questions - How do numerical systems compare to semantic organization for information retrieval? - What percentage of users successfully maintain their initial PKM structure over time? - Which hybrid approaches show highest user satisfaction and system longevity? ### 🔮 Future Research - Cross-system compatibility for PKM migration patterns - AI-assisted categorization within structured numbering systems - Integration patterns between Johnny Decimal and emerging PKM tools ### 💡 Implications - Practice: Requires initial time investment for category planning and setup - Policy: Organizations could standardize numbering systems for knowledge sharing - Education: PKM training should emphasize personalization over system copying - Funding: Tools supporting multiple organizational frameworks may see increased adoption ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment Reading level estimate: 8th grade #### 👀 Visual learners - Present: Screen sharing of folder structure and vault organization - Improve: Hierarchical diagrams showing numerical relationships, flowcharts for setup process #### 🔊 Aural learners - Present: Verbal explanation throughout video demonstration - Improve: Audio-only version highlighting spoken instructions and key concepts #### 🗣️ Verbal learners - Present: Clear definitions of systems, acronym explanations - Improve: More analogies comparing digital organization to physical filing systems #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners - Present: Step-by-step folder creation demonstration - Improve: Interactive checklist for system setup, hands-on exercises #### 🧠 Logical learners - Present: Numbered system logic, hierarchical structure explanation - Improve: Decision trees for category selection, comparison matrices of different systems #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners - Present: References to community systems and shared approaches - Improve: Discussion prompts for PKM community groups, collaborative planning templates #### 🧘‍♀️ Solitary learners - Present: Self-directed exploration of personal system needs - Improve: Self-assessment questionnaire for life area identification, private reflection prompts #### 🌿 Naturalistic learners - Present: Organic system evolution concepts - Improve: Growth metaphors for system development, lifecycle thinking for digital organization ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment #### Screen reader semantics - Present: Clear heading structure in video description - Improve: Detailed alt text for folder structure screenshots, hierarchical markup in show notes #### Keyboard navigation - Present: Standard video player controls - Improve: Timestamped chapter markers for easier content navigation #### Contrast and readability - Present: High contrast folder structure demonstration - Improve: Larger text size in folder screenshots, color-blind friendly highlighting #### Media and captions - Present: Full transcript provided - Improve: Closed captions with speaker identification, audio descriptions of visual demonstrations ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment #### Cultural breadth - Present: References Australian developer (John Noble) - Improve: Examples from diverse cultural organizational approaches, multilingual PKM considerations #### Inclusive language - Present: Gender-neutral terminology throughout - Improve: Plain language alternatives for technical PKM jargon #### Neurodiversity support - Present: Structured, numbered approach appeals to systematic thinkers - Improve: Alternative organizational approaches for different cognitive styles, flexibility emphasis #### Representation - Present: Acknowledges individual differences in system preferences - Improve: Examples from users with different professional backgrounds and life circumstances ### ✅ Logical Validity #### Strong reasoning - Deductive strength: Personal systems work better → Johnny Decimal is personal → Therefore Johnny Decimal can work better - Inductive strength: Multiple successful PKM systems exist → Pattern suggests customizable approaches succeed - Analogical strength: Physical filing principles apply to digital organization #### Fallacies - Appeal to authority: Citing Nick Milo and Thiago Forte without discussing limitations - Hasty generalization: Assuming numerical systems work for everyone based on personal success #### Tone of voice - Overall tone: Conversational and encouraging, emphasizes personal choice while sharing specific approach ### 🛡️ DARVO Analysis - Deny: No denial patterns present - Attack: No attacks on other organizational approaches, respectful of alternatives - Reverse victim/offender: Not applicable to instructional content - Emotional cues and rhetoric: Positive, supportive tone encouraging individual exploration ## 🎯 Conclusion The Johnny Decimal System offers a structured numerical approach to organizing Obsidian vaults, emphasizing the critical principle that PKM systems must be personally tailored. While the system provides clear hierarchical organization through decimal-based categories, success depends on upfront planning to identify relevant life areas and ongoing adaptation as needs evolve. The key takeaway reinforces that no single organizational system works universally - the best approach combines proven frameworks with individual customization to create sustainable, personally effective knowledge management structures. ## 🧱 Refactor Appendix ### 📚 Literature Split Pad Purpose: Stage CEE units that become Literature notes. Split level: H3 ### [H1] PKM systems require personal customization for success > [!quote] [Set up an Obsidian Vault Using Johnny Decimal System](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA) by [[Rick]] via [[YouTube]]. Published 2024. Accessed 2024-12-19. > "personal Knowledge Management systems are personal they are absolutely personal you need to structure it to suit you" Fundamental principle underlying all PKM system selection and implementation decisions. [view highlight](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=90#H1) #xref #articleseed ID:rw_pkm_personal ### [H2] Johnny Decimal adapts filing principles to digital organization > [!quote] [Set up an Obsidian Vault Using Johnny Decimal System](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA) > "it wasn't developed specifically for personal Knowledge Management... it was developed for organizing filing systems" Cross-domain application of organizational principles from physical to digital contexts. [view highlight](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtwM8W8Z1ZA&t=240#H2) #xref ID:rw_decimal_adaptation --- ### 🔖 <!-- deep-read:sections end -->