The self-help industry has seen a decline as books become repetitive and often recycle common advice, leading to diminished effectiveness. A more practical approach to self-improvement may involve personal reflection and tracking progress rather than relying on external sources.

From 2000-2010, consumer apps were crafted to genuinely improve people's lives, but this focus shifted as B2B SaaS became investors' preference, leading to a decline in consumer-focused innovation⁠⁠. Now in 2024-2025, there's a renaissance in consumer apps driven by AI technology, with significant growth in AI app spending and a return to creating products that enhance personal lives⁠.

In this post, we explore different methods for capturing ideas effectively. We highlight the need for a quick, smart system that not only collects thoughts but also self-categorizes and connects them to relevant context. Many people use note-taking apps to jot down ideas and clear their minds, we dig into the pros and cons.

Let's explore the nature of ideas and the challenges of remembering and making sense of them in today’s fast-paced world. We will contrast two mindsets: one where we don’t write down the thoughts, believing them to be too scattered, and another where individuals meticulously document everything, thinking every idea holds potential value.