Resource: Progressive Summarization (Tiago Forte)
What It Is
Progressive Summarization is a note-taking and distillation method by Tiago Forte. The core idea: don't try to understand everything at once. Instead, pass a source through multiple compression layers over time, so that the most resonant ideas rise to the surface naturally. Capture inbox.md
"Make it discoverable for future-you."
The Four Layers
| Layer | Action | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 1 — Source | Read or capture the original | Raw note / highlight dump |
| 2 — Highlight | Mark passages that resonate | Highlighted text |
| 3 — Bold | Bold the key lines within highlights | The densest signal |
| 4 — Summary | Write a short executive summary at the top | 1–3 sentences, instantly scannable |
Each layer is a compression pass — you only touch it again when you revisit the note, so the effort is spread out over many sessions rather than front-loaded. Capture inbox.md
Why It Works
- Saves future-you time. The bolded lines are visible at a glance; you never have to re-read the whole source.
- Respects the moment of resonance. You highlight what matters *now*, not what you think should matter.
- Scales across dozens of notes. The layered structure means any note is useful at multiple levels of depth, depending on how much time you have.
Applied to This Second Brain
This inbox is already at Layer 1 → 2 for most resources. Next actions per the CODE workflow (→ Second Brain Overview):
- Bold key lines on all resource notes (Layer 3) — e.g., the lines captured in Capture inbox are good candidates.
- Write a 1–3 sentence summary at the top of each resource page (Layer 4).
- Apply the same passes to Deep Work, The Mom Test, and Atomic Habits pages.
The Distillation Flow
Key Lines to Bold (from the Inbox)
These are the Layer-3 candidates already surfaced in Capture inbox: Capture inbox.md
- "Source → highlight → bold → summary."
- "Make it discoverable for future-you."
Cross-Links
Progressive Summarization is the Distill step in the CODE workflow. It works on top of the Organize step (PARA). See:
- Second Brain — PARA Dashboard — the full CODE + PARA map
- Deep Work — the resource that most benefits from a tight Layer-4 summary (the launch sprint note is already actionable)
- The Mom Test — bolding the behavioral interview questions would make them re-usable pre-interview
- Atomic Habits — the identity-based habit framing is the key line to bold
- Career & Growth — "learn one thing deeply each week" is itself a progressive summarization practice