

It isn’t a perfect description to say Tana is Roam + Airtable, but it’s in the ballpark. Databases (think Airtable, Notion) let you query, filter, combine, and otherwise explore your information in different formats.They’re optimized for capturing quick thinking. Outliners (think Workflowy, Roam, Logseq) rely on blocks and indentation for primary connections, and references to other blocks or pages for richer links.The magic of Tana emerges from its combination of outliner and database features:

It is still in early access-it launched out of stealth development on September 30, 2022. If you want tasks and knowledge to stay separate, but occasionally link between them, try Obsidian paired with your favorite task app.If you prefer a more traditional notes interface with robust task scheduling and management, try Amplenote.If you are a fast and furious notetaker and note-linker, or you like to customize your workflows as they emerge, try Tana.I’ve pinpointed these three-see which resonates with you! The “right” TfT for you depends on how you think and work. ( Dive deeper in AP Productivity: Cohort) Choosing the Right TfT

Maybe you don’t need a simple, flexible environment to plan projects, convert knowledge to action, get clear when you’re stuck, or develop reliable procedures to streamline future work.īut if you do want those benefits, choose a TfT and make it the spine of your productivity system. “But R.J.,” you may argue, “I have Todoist for my tasks.” (or OmniFocus, Things, TickTick…) “I don’t need some convoluted ‘TfT’ to be productive.” TfTs make it easy to link notes to one another, and additional features like queries allow you to further develop the insight that emerges.īecause TfTs have these superpowers, they’re perfect for capturing your tasks and projects and surfacing them to you at the right time. Tools for Thought (TfTs) are apps optimized for developing your ideas and knowledge. Tools for Thought Supercharge Productivity
