How to make an idea blossom (with Sascha Fast)

A few weeks ago, Sascha Fast (the main author at zettelkasten.de) offered me a free coaching session on the Zettelkasten method, in exchange for recording it and making it available to everyone.

I gladly accepted :-)

After discussing it privately, we decided it would be more interesting to focus the session not so much on the basics of the Zettelkasten method, but rather on a creative technique he developed: the Flower of Knowledge. This technique helps you develop all the aspects that give value to an idea until it “blooms.”

In the video, you can see Sascha explaining this technique to me step by step, and how he helps me apply it to one of my own ideas. Which idea did I choose? One of the core ideas of the Gestalt Garden: the myth of the lone genius.

That’s why this conversation has a double value:

1. It’s a real, practical example of how to apply the Flower of Knowledge.
2. It’s a deep reflection on how to do creative work.

Without further ado, here’s the full conversation:

If you want to dive deeper into the Flower of Knowledge technique, I recommend reading Sascha’s original article: “How To Use Creative Techniques Within the Zettelkasten Framework”. And if you’d like to apply this technique without having to read anything else, below you’ll the list of steps:

The Flower of Knowledge

(1) Choose an idea and place it in the center.
(2) Think of each leaf as an aspect of the thought that is needed to fully develop it. The thought blossoms like a flower.

• Truth: Are there arguments for its truth? Is there empirical evidence for its truth? Is it free of self-contradiction?
• Relevance: To whom is the thought important? To whom is it not?
• Usefulness: What problem can be solved by the thought? Can it become a tool?
• Beauty: How does the thought promote harmony and elegance?
• Simplicity: How can you make the thought simpler and easier to understand? Can the thought be used to simplify something else?

Source: “How To Use Creative Techniques Within the Zettelkasten Framework”

The Flower of Knowledge is not a creative technique exclusive to the Zettelkasten method. So if you’re not into wthisthat world—no worries! Just choose the thinking environment you like best (for example, a notebook or a Word document) and use this technique to help your ideas bloom.

PS: I’d love to hear how it went for you—feel free to share your experience in the comments :-)