In this episode, I share a practical and grounded introduction to the Second Brain concept, tailored specifically for accountants and bookkeepers. Originally delivered at the Sydney Accounting and Business Expo, this session explores how to better capture, organise and leverage the constant stream of information we face every day. If you are feeling overloaded, context switching constantly, or struggling to retrieve your best ideas when you need them, this conversation will resonate.

• The Second Brain concept popularised by Tiago Forte and why it matters for accounting professionals
• The CODE framework: Capture, Organise, Distil, Express
• Practical tools including Obsidian, Google Keep, Evernote and voice memos
• Using platforms like LinkedIn and newsletters as part of your knowledge system
• How a trusted external system reduces decision fatigue and creates space for strategy, creativity and better advisory

A Second Brain is not about adding complexity. It is about creating a reliable system that supports your professional thinking. When you trust where your knowledge lives, you free up energy to serve clients, think strategically, and innovate with confidence.

Book

Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte

Apps & Tools Mentioned

• Obsidian – https://obsidian.md
• Google Keep – https://keep.google.com
• Evernote – https://evernote.com
• Otter.ai – https://otter.ai
• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com
• ChatGPT – https://chat.openai.com

Episode resources and links:

Accounting & Business Expo : https://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/accounting-business-expo/index.stm

If this episode helped you, the best way to support the show is to leave a review somewhere as it helps more people find us. And if you want to continue the conversation, come find me Heather Smith | Accountant and Storyteller on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

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