The PKM Trap: When Productivity Becomes Procrastination

The real question is, how much of this structure do you actually need? If you’re honest with yourself, you might realize that the majority of it is superfluous. It’s designed more to satisfy the need to feel in control than to actually drive results. Spending hours setting up tags, folders, and structures in Obsidian or Roam Research — does it really make your work more efficient, or does it simply create the illusion that you’re doing something valuable? More often than not, it’s the latter.

I’ve found myself guilty of this countless times. I caught myself postponing work-related tasks to “just fine-tune my system a bit more, and then I’ll be so efficient that everything else will fall into place.” But the truth is, no amount of tweaking will replace the actual work that needs to be done. The time spent on these so-called improvements is often wasted — time that could have been better spent on tasks that move the needle forward

Choose One Tool and Stick to It: For the next 5–6 months, commit to using just one PKM tool. Resist the urge to chase after the latest shiny apps or to constantly switch systems. Your current tool is likely more than sufficient for your needs. By sticking with it, you’ll save time and mental energy, allowing you to focus on actual work.