The Zettelkasten method breaks down the thinking process into physical steps which can be acquired as habits.

Thinking – the ability to connect and understand things – becomes a physical routine.

These Here are the steps:

1. Collecting and writing down ideas while I’m watching or reading something.
2. Processing information by phrasing it in my own words, then adding the note to my Zettelkasten (one though thought is one card).
3. Optional linking and connecting with existing notes in the Zettelkasten to create a network of information.

This routine is very similar to GTD, which is also the thinking process broken down to physical steps and habits.

Related

• The natural progress of Zettelkasten
• The importance of connecting notes in a Zettelkasten

Source

• Sönke Ahrens – How to take smart notes on Vimeo