5 features of my Obsidian vault

Overview

One of the biggest problems I hear from new users starting Obsidian is where to start. So last year, I created a template vault that I could share. Providing users with a sample vault will help reduce the friction of starting to use Obsidian.

Reducing friction should help you get started on Obsidian and inspire you to adapt it to create your workflows, which is one of the things I like about Obsidian.

This blog outlines the features and how to use them in your workflow.

Features I cover include:

• A dashboard in Obsidian to help create workflows and access notes quickly. The vault uses the PARA folder structure for an organised and structured approach.
• The task management system and project management workflow using the Tasks Plugin lets users track their projects.
• The goals workflow to track goals, progress, tasks, and blockers.
• Daily Notes and Weekly Reflection templates are provided for journaling and are customisable for each user's unique needs.
• The Zettlekasten notes are for users of the note-taking and knowledge management system, with three templates for fleeting, literature, and permanent notes. Users can customise these notes with their prompts.

I have included a link to my dashboard vault and instructions on how to set it up.

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1. Dashboard

The dashboard aims to show how different parts of the vault can come together to create workflows. I have created different dashboards for different workflows. For example, I have created a dashboard for studying for exams, creating YouTube videos and learning chess, all looking at the same vault.

Let's have a look at the template dashboard.

The first part covers buttons to create notes that I often use quickly.

The following sections highlight the folders and notes in the vault. The first covers an inbox folder which is the dumping ground for notes. Next is a list of outstanding tasks in my Inbox and a small list of notes that need to be Processed.

I have used the PARA folder structure for the organised approach.

For example, I keep notes related to my projects in the project folder.

In the area folder, I keep notes that goes across projects. These notes primarily relate to my research for new ideas and goals.

In the resource folder, I keep templates and other notes I reference, such as workflows or lists of shortcuts.

Finally, in the archive folder, I keep projects that I have completed.

In the dashboard, I show the status of the project as well as links to the project dashboard. I have an area section which shows my recent daily notes, weekly notes and goals I am tracking. The research notes have a small list of my recent fleeting, literature and permanent notes.

In the Vault Stats section, I have a list of recent notes and statistics on the count of notes I have in my vault.

2. Task Management & Project Management

I have implemented a task management system to help me track notes that I need to follow up on. For example, I use my task list note to see all my notes with outstanding tasks. I used the Tasks Plugin to query the list of tasks.

The most common way I add a new task is by using the slash command to create a task.

Users can activate the slash command in Settings->Core plugins ->Slash commands.

So to create a new task, I type forward slash (/), type in "tasks", and select create new tasks.

Once selected, this gives me a dialogue with the information I can add, including description and due date.

Once you press apply, it will insert a new task.

I can see these tasks on the Task Lists.

One of the reasons I use this tasks plugin is that I can create queries to list the tasks by various filters, allowing you to find the tasks you need to be working on.

I also applied the Tasks Plugin as part of my project management workflow.

I use the project management workflow for managing content creation and studying for exams.

Each folder represents a project that I am aiming to complete. In addition, I have a project management dashboard.

The project dashboard lists the outstanding tasks and any blockers I have. Finally, the folder stores any notes I have taken.

Each project has its dashboard.

Let's have a look at this more closely.

The first part of the project dashboard is the front matter which is the metadata for the note. Here I can set the status, due date and other data I do not want to show on the reading view. The Dataview plugin can use this data to query notes.

I have a task section listing the tasks to complete this project. I also have blockers sections that list the things blocking this project and, hopefully, turn into an action that I track with a task.

There are many other sections that you can add, like a timeline using a tracker plugin, resources needed and budget using a markdown table. Let me know what I should add to this project dashboard.

3. Goals

One of the things I track in Obsidian is my goals. So whether it's work-related tasks, personal goals, or essential deadlines, I create goals in Obsidian if I use Obsidian to keep notes related to them.

My goals implementation helps users track their goals, progress, tasks, and blockers. It's an excellent method for anyone who wants to stay organised and focused, no matter what they're working on.

One of the key benefits of my goal note is its simplicity. Each goal is a note that I track on the dashboard. In addition, I use the Tasks Plugin to track the tasks related to the goal.

I track the blockers that are stopping me from completing the goal. A blocker prevents you from achieving your goals, whether a lack of resources, a difficult task, or simply a lack of motivation. You can identify the blockers and track your progress in overcoming them by listing them. Listing out blockers can help you stay motivated and focused even when things get tough.

I also use the tracker plugin to see my progress for some goals. I often use this for health-related goals to track my progress.

There is a link to the Tracker Note, which has a table that I track data on.

The Tracker Plugin uses this data to generate a chart.

4. Daily Notes & Weekly Notes

For users wishing to journal, I created the Daily notes template to help create notes for journaling and a weekly note to reflect every week.

I use my Daily Note to highlight essential things I learned during that Obsidian session and track ideas I want to research further. Please add your prompts to populate the daily note to help you.

In addition to Daily Notes, I also created a Weekly Reflection template. Users can use this template to reflect on their week and review goals for the upcoming week. It includes prompts such as "Top Three Wins" or "What am I grateful for?". I also use them to track important events.

I create a new note using the create new daily note button. The arrows on the note let me move between yesterday's and today's daily notes making it easier to track what I was working on.

To access the Weekly Note, I created a button to generate a new Weekly Note.

Arrows at the top allow you to move between Weekly Notes, and the Dashboard lists the previous weekly notes for quick access.

5. Zettlekasten notes

For users of Zettlekasten, I created a set of notes that users can customise to support the process.

Zettlekasten is a note-taking and knowledge management system that has recently gained immense popularity among researchers, writers, and other knowledge workers.

I won't explain how you should implement it, as many books and YouTube videos cover it.

I have used it for three years, and most Obsidian notes in my vault follow its premise.

One benefit of using template notes is that it can help you create a consistent approach to note-taking. This consistency helps to streamline the process, save time, and reduce the risk of missing important information. Moreover, it can help me to create a more organised and linked collection of notes, which can be a valuable asset in the long term.

I have purposely left these templates blank so you can populate them with your prompts.

I set up three templates to access from buttons on the dashboard. These are created in the Inbox folder for processing later on.

If you try and press the button again, you will get an error and need to rename the old one.

The first is Fleeting Notes which captures ideas or something I want to research later.

The second is a literature note which is where I capture notes relating to source content.

The last is the permanent note, which combines fleeting notes and literature to create notes that apply to my research. Often, these form part of the content I am trying to create.

Summary

Obsidian is a great app that will help you learn, organise and manage critical workflows if you invest your time.

By sharing this vault, I hope to get your feedback to improve the vault and find issues to resolve to help contribute to the next set-up of users.

In the future, I plan to add features to support students and incorporate AI and other plugins to simplify implementing Obsidian for new users.

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