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The presentation in a nutshell
This presentation at the PKM Summit 2025 by Christian Vanhenten emphasizes an approach centered on the individual and their mindset rather than solely on Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) tools.
The speaker, with expertise in human skill modeling and neuro-linguistic programming, introduces a model to identify and address the key elements hindering the achievement of desired outcomes.
Key ideas of the presentation
I introduce a model to identify and address the key elements hindering the achievement of desired outcomes.
> click to read more..• Mindset over Tools: The presenter critiques the term “second brain,” asserting that there is only one brain, and the focus should be on what happens in our minds, not just the tools we use A change in mindset is crucial for different results.• The Experience Matrix Model: A model based on NLP’s “Logical Levels Pyramid” is presented, called the “Experience Matrix”.
This model distinguishes several levels: context, identification (replacing identity as it’s more operational), emotions (internal state), behaviors (doing), knowing (map of the world, beliefs, values), and know-how (skills).• Importance of Identification: Identifying with a group or role strongly influences our behaviors, beliefs, and emotions, and is context-dependent. Defining oneself by identification is more flexible than by a fixed identity.Case Study: Emily's PKM Struggle
The presentation uses the example of Emily, a 32-year-old marketer obsessed with finding the "perfect" PKM system.
> click to read more..The presentation uses the example of Emily, a 32-year-old marketer obsessed with finding the “perfect” PKM system. She constantly switches between applications (LogSeq, Notion, Obsidian) and spends more time tweaking systems than creating content. Her problem is prioritizing technical configuration over actual use and note creation. Her behavior aligns strongly with the “Geek identification“.• Comparison with Archetypes: To understand Emily’s situation, her behavior, knowledge, and beliefs are compared to archetypes of PKM users: the “Geek” (obsessed with technology and configuration), the “Gardener” (who captures ideas without immediate organization), and the “Architect” (who creates structures and plans their work).• Identifying the Gap and Taking Action: The goal is to pinpoint the gap between a person’s current state and their desired state (e.g., from “Geek” identification to “Architect” or “Gardener”) and find concrete action points to bridge this gap.• “Tasking” as a Tool for Change: “tasking” involves giving specific tasks to perform over a set period (e.g., choosing one PKM app and sticking to it for 90 days) to trigger behavioral and mindset shifts. For Emily, shifting towards the “Architect” identification initially might be most beneficial.• Working on Limiting Beliefs: It’s crucial to identify and transform beliefs that hinder progress (e.g., the belief that a perfect system exists and is always just around the corner).• Small, Quick Wins: To encourage change, aiming for early, visible results is important.• Using “Masks” of Identification: Instead of asking someone to change their identity, it’s more effective to invite them to temporarily adopt the “mask” of another identification (e.g., the Architect for structuring notes, the Gardener for idea collection)• Ecology Check: It’s important to ensure there are no unconscious secondary benefits to maintaining the status quo that could undermine change efforts.In conclusion, the presentation highlights the significance of understanding the structure of our internal experience and identifications to improve our PKM practice.It offers a model and a practical approach, illustrated by Emily’s case, to identify blockages and initiate sustainable change by acting on specific elements of our mindset and behaviors.
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