How To Build a Second Brain Using Readwise + Notion/Obsidian

In today's information-saturated world, keeping track of what you read, learn, and discover feels like an endless battle. What if you could create a "second brain"—a digital system that captures, organizes, and resurfaces your knowledge effortlessly? Enter Readwise, the powerhouse tool for building a personal knowledge management (PKM) system that turns fleeting highlights into lasting insights.

Whether you're a student cramming for exams, a professional synthesizing research, or a lifelong learner devouring books and articles, combining Readwise with Notion or Obsidian can supercharge your productivity. This guide will walk you through creating a second brain Readwise setup, step by step. We'll cover everything from setup to advanced workflows, with practical examples to make it immediately actionable. If you're ready to reclaim your mental bandwidth, try Readwise Reader free today → and start your 30-day free trial—it's the foundation of this entire system.

▸What Is a Second Brain and Why Readwise Makes It Possible

The concept of a "second brain" comes from productivity expert Tiago Forte, popularized in his book Building a Second Brain. It's essentially a digital extension of your mind: a centralized hub for capturing ideas, notes, and highlights from books, articles, podcasts, and more. Instead of your brain juggling everything, your second brain does the heavy lifting—organizing, connecting, and reminding you of key insights at the right time.

Traditional note-taking apps fall short because they don't handle the influx of digital content well. You highlight a passage in a book, but where does it go? It gets lost in a sea of tabs or forgotten in a notebook. That's where Readwise shines in a second brain Readwise workflow. Readwise Reader lets you read and collect content from anywhere—Kindle, Twitter, PDFs, newsletters—while Readwise Highlights manages your annotations with spaced repetition to ensure retention. It's like having a personal librarian who not only files your knowledge but quizzes you on it.

Integrating Readwise with Notion (for structured databases) or Obsidian (for linked, graph-based notes) creates a robust PKM system. Notion excels at collaborative, template-driven organization, while Obsidian thrives on interconnected thinking via Markdown files. Either way, Readwise acts as the "capture layer," feeding polished highlights into your second brain for synthesis and action. The result? A system that's not just a dumping ground but a living, evolving knowledge base that boosts creativity and decision-making.

▸Getting Started: Setting Up Your Readwise Account

Building your second brain starts with Readwise. Don't worry—setup is straightforward and takes under 10 minutes. Here's how to dive in.

Step 1: Sign Up and Explore the Dashboard

Head to Readwise and create an account. Once logged in, you'll see the clean dashboard divided into Reader (for importing and reading content) and Highlights (for managing and reviewing notes). The free trial gives you full access, so experiment without commitment.

Pro Tip: Enable email forwarding right away. Readwise can auto-import newsletters, articles, and even RSS feeds, turning passive consumption into active learning.

Step 2: Connect Your Content Sources

Readwise's strength lies in its integrations. For a second brain Readwise setup:

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  Kindle/EPUB Books: Link your Amazon account to sync highlights automatically. Every time you finish a book, Readwise pulls in your notes with context (like page numbers and book metadata).

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  Web Articles and Tweets: Use the Readwise Reader browser extension (available for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari). Clip articles from any site or save threads from Twitter/X. For example, if you're researching productivity, save a Tim Ferriss tweetstorm—Readwise will extract quotes and links seamlessly.

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  PDFs and Docs: Upload files directly or integrate with Google Drive. This is gold for academics; imagine highlighting a research paper and having it tagged for later review.

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  Podcasts and Audio: While Readwise focuses on text, it pairs well with tools like Otter.ai for transcripts, which you can then import.

Example: As a marketer, I once saved 20 articles on SEO trends. Readwise tagged them by theme (e.g., "AI SEO") and sent daily review cards, helping me spot patterns I would've missed.

Step 3: Customize Your Tags and Review Settings

Tags are the backbone of your PKM system. In Highlights, create custom tags like "Ideas," "Quotes," or project-specific ones ("Q4 Campaign"). Readwise uses AI to suggest tags based on content, but manual ones ensure precision.

Set up spaced repetition: This feature, inspired by Anki, resurfaces highlights at optimal intervals (e.g., today, in 3 days, then weekly). Toggle it on for high-value notes—it's what makes Readwise invaluable for retention, turning one-time reads into lifelong knowledge.

Workflow Tip: Start small. Tag 5-10 highlights daily to build the habit without overwhelm. Over time, your second brain will grow organically.

▸Integrating Readwise with Notion: A Structured PKM System

Notion's databases make it ideal for a collaborative second brain Readwise integration. Think of it as a customizable wiki where Readwise feeds raw highlights, and Notion organizes them into actionable insights. This readwise Notion Obsidian combo (we'll cover Obsidian next) is perfect for teams or visual thinkers.

Step 4: Connect Readwise to Notion

Readwise has a native Notion integration via API. In your Readwise settings, go to "Integrations" > "Notion" and authenticate. You'll need to create a Notion integration token (free from Notion's developer portal).

Once connected, set up an export template. Readwise will push highlights as new pages or database entries in Notion. Customize the format: Include the highlight text, source (book/article), tags, and even a "Review Date" property for spaced repetition tracking.

Step 5: Build Your Notion Second Brain Database

Create a new Notion database called "Second Brain Highlights." Use these properties:

• •Text: The highlight itself (rich text for formatting).
• •Source: Select (e.g., Book, Article, Tweet) with a relation to a "Library" database for full metadata.
• •Tags: Multi-select for categories like "Productivity," "Health."
• •Review Status: Formula or status property synced from Readwise's spaced repetition.
• •Linked Notes: A page relation for your own commentary or action items.

Step-by-Step Workflow:

1. •Read an article in Readwise Reader and highlight key passages.
2. •Add tags during import (e.g., "second brain readwise tips").
3. •Export to Notion—highlights appear as database rows.
4. •In Notion, add a linked page: Summarize how this applies to your life. For instance, if highlighting Tiago Forte's PARA method (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives), create a sub-page with your implementation checklist.

Practical Example: You're building a content calendar. A Readwise highlight from Atomic Habits says, "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." Export it to Notion, tag "Habits," and link it to your "Content Projects" board. Now, every review reinforces system-building in your workflow.

Pro Tip: Use Notion's templates for consistency. Create a "Highlight Review" template with prompts like "How does this connect to existing knowledge?" This turns passive reading into active synthesis, making your PKM system dynamic.

Advanced Notion Workflow: Automations and Views

Leverage Notion's power with views: A "Daily Review" board filtered by Readwise's due dates, or a gallery view for visual books. Integrate Zapier for automations—e.g., when a new highlight exports, it notifies you via Slack.

For collaboration, share your database with a team. A sales rep could tag customer insights from Readwise, feeding into a shared CRM second brain. This scalability is why readwise Notion is a game-changer for professional PKM systems.

▸Integrating Readwise with Obsidian: A Networked Knowledge Graph

If you prefer a local, flexible setup, Obsidian is your match. It's free, runs on Markdown files, and visualizes connections via graphs—perfect for a second brain Readwise that's deeply interconnected.

Step 6: Set Up Obsidian and Connect Readwise

Download Obsidian (it's offline-first, with sync via iCloud or Dropbox). Install the Readwise plugin from the community plugins menu: Search "Readwise," install, and enter your API key from Readwise settings.

The plugin syncs highlights as Markdown notes in a dedicated vault folder (e.g., "Readwise Imports"). Each note includes the highlight, metadata, and even images from articles.

Step 7: Organize Your Obsidian Vault for PKM

Structure your vault like this:

• •Inbox: Auto-imported Readwise highlights.
• •Processed: Reviewed and tagged notes.
• •Topics: Folders or tags for themes (e.g., #productivity, #books).
• •MOCs (Maps of Content): Index pages linking related notes, like a "Second Brain Hub" with embeds from Readwise.

Step-by-Step Workflow:

1. •Import a batch of highlights via the plugin (manual or scheduled).
2. •Open in Obsidian: Each highlight is a note with [[wikilinks]] to sources.
3. •Process: Add your thoughts, link to existing notes (e.g., [[Building Habits]] from a James Clear highlight).
4. •Review: Use Obsidian's daily notes plugin to pull in Readwise's spaced repetition cards.

Example Scenario: As a writer, you're outlining a blog post on remote work. A Readwise highlight from Deep Work by Cal Newport syncs to Obsidian. You link it to your [[Remote Work Research]] note, which connects to Twitter clips and personal experiments. The graph view reveals clusters—like how "focus rituals" tie into multiple sources—sparking new ideas.

Workflow Tip: Enable backlinks in Obsidian to see how a single highlight influences dozens of notes. This emergent discovery is what makes readwise Obsidian integrations invaluable; your second brain evolves without rigid structures.

Pro Tip: For spaced repetition in Obsidian, pair with the Spaced Repetition plugin. It imports Readwise's review queue, turning your vault into an interactive learning machine. Schedule weekly syncs to keep everything fresh.

Ready to Build Your Second Brain? Start Today!

▸Practical Workflows and Use Cases: Bringing It All Together

To make this actionable, let's explore real-world workflows. These emphasize how Readwise's seamless capture and retention make it the linchpin of any second brain Readwise system.

Workflow 1: The Daily Learner (Student/Researcher)

• •Morning: Open Readwise Reader for your newsletter queue. Highlight 3-5 insights from a Harvard Business Review article on leadership.
• •Midday: Export to Notion/Obsidian. Tag #leadership and link to your "Career Goals" page.
• •Evening Review: Readwise sends 10 cards via app notification—quiz yourself on spaced highlights from last week.
• •Benefit: Retention jumps 200% (per studies on spaced repetition), turning study sessions into efficient recall.

Use Case: A grad student preps for comps. Readwise imports 50 book highlights; Obsidian's graph shows thematic connections, revealing gaps in their knowledge.

Workflow 2: The Content Creator (Writer/Blogger)

• •Capture: Save Twitter threads and YouTube transcripts (via tools like Glasp, then import).
• •Organize: In Notion, create a "Content Ideas" database. Readwise highlights feed prompts like "Blog Post: AI Ethics from [Source]."
• •Synthesize: Weekly, query tags in Obsidian to generate outlines—e.g., connect #AI notes into a mega-thread.
• •Pro Tip: Use Readwise's "Ghostreader" AI to summarize highlights, saving hours on ideation.

Example: I built a newsletter series on productivity by pulling Readwise tags. One highlight from How to Take Smart Notes linked to 15 others, forming the backbone of an issue.

Workflow 3: The Professional Manager (Team Lead)

• •Team Input: Share Readwise exports to a Notion workspace. Colleagues highlight meeting notes or industry reports.
• •Analysis: Use Obsidian for personal synthesis—wikilink client insights to strategic goals.
• •Retention: Group reviews ensure team alignment on key learnings.

Use Case: A project manager tracks agile methodologies. Readwise resurfaces Scrum highlights during retrospectives, preventing repeated mistakes.

Common Pitfalls and Fixes:

• •Over-tagging: Stick to 3-5 per highlight to avoid clutter.
• •Sync Delays: Schedule exports daily; use plugins for automation.
• •Overwhelm: Start with one source (e.g., books) and expand.

These workflows highlight Readwise's value: It's not just storage—it's a smart system that connects dots across your life.

▸Pro Tips for Maximizing Your Second Brain Readwise Setup

• •Mobile Optimization: Readwise's iOS/Android apps let you review on the go. Capture highlights during commutes.
• •AI Enhancements: Use Readwise's built-in AI to generate flashcards or summaries—perfect for quick PKM boosts.
• •Backup and Export: Regularly export to CSV for portability between Notion and Obsidian.
• •Measure Progress: Track "insight velocity"—how many highlights lead to actions? Aim for 20% conversion.
• •Community Resources: Join Readwise's Discord or Tiago Forte's forums for templates tailored to readwise Notion Obsidian setups.
• •Scaling Up: For power users, integrate with Roam Research or Evernote via Zapier for a hybrid PKM system.

By focusing on these, you'll avoid common newbie errors and build a second brain that scales with you.

▸Conclusion: Your Path to a Smarter, More Productive You

Building a second brain with Readwise + Notion/Obsidian isn't just about tools—it's about reclaiming your mind from information overload. Readwise's intuitive capture, powerful retention via spaced repetition, and seamless integrations make it indispensable for any PKM system. Whether you choose Notion's structure or Obsidian's flexibility, this workflow turns scattered notes into a cohesive knowledge engine, driving better decisions, creativity, and growth.

I've seen it transform my own routine: What used to be forgotten book quotes now fuel weekly planning sessions. If you're serious about leveling up, there's no better time to start. Start your 30-day free trial with Readwise today →—capture your first highlight and watch your second brain come alive. Your future self will thank you.

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