A topic or theme of ongoing interest
Core Idea: In the PARA system, a resource is a topic, theme, or asset that may be useful in the future but isn't immediately actionable.
Key Elements
Defining Characteristics
- Topic-based organization: Grouped by subject rather than actionability
- Future usefulness: Collected for potential later reference
- No immediate deadline: Not tied to current projects or responsibilities
- Serves as reference: Provides information rather than action steps
- Grows organically: Expands as interests and knowledge develop
Resource Criteria Questions
- Is this information potentially useful for future reference?
- Is it organized around a specific topic or theme?
- Is it not immediately actionable for any current project or area?
- Would you want to find this again when working on a related topic?
- Does it represent knowledge worth preserving?
Examples
Topic-Based Resources
- Architecture styles
- Design principles
- Cooking techniques
- Travel destinations
- Programming languages
- Industry research
Reference Materials
- Templates and frameworks
- Checklists and procedures
- Reading lists
- Contact information
- Quotes and ideas
- Technical documentation
Resource Management
- Organize by topic rather than urgency
- Focus on discoverability for future use
- Regularly curate to maintain relevance
- Create connections between related resources
- Archive when no longer relevant to interests
Applications
- Research collection
- Knowledge development
- Interest exploration
- Reference libraries
- Information organization
Additional Connections
- Broader Context: PARA Method (organizational system containing resources)
- Applications: Progressive Summarization (technique for distilling resource materials)
- See Also: Discoverability (making resources findable when needed)
References
- Forte, Tiago. "Building a Second Brain"
#knowledge-management #information-organization #research #learning
Connections:
Sources:
- From: PARA Method