I couldn't help but wonder from time to time, what is the best way to learn something new?
In the past, my instinct told me to collect and save learning materials as much as possible, with a firm believe that “the more, the better.” Whenever I came across a good article, a sharp insight, or even just a snippet of information that might “come in handy someday,” I would bookmark it, and threw it into Evernote on autopilot, thinking that it can't hurt, just save it first, and I would get back to it later anyway.
Back then, I was just a busy little squirrel in autumn, tirelessly stuffing “nuts” into my tree hollow. One, two, three, ... ten… I’d pack it to the brim, satisfied with a feeling of security, and sighed with relief: “This will come in handy someday!” However, the reality bit. My Evernote became a digital hoard of unprocessed links and information accumulated with highlights. It all looked abundant but useless. I even forgot why I saved all these stuff in the first place.
Later, I started to rethink the whole learning thing. What is the point of hoarding all these "nuts"? Perhaps it was time to change the way of learning. Instead of greedily storing information, I asked myself: "what am I trying to achieve with this knowledge in the end?" When I got an answer with a clear goal, it became much easier to discern what to look for and how to process it. It's just like what the saying goes, "Begin with the end in mind."
I finally realized that effective learning and creating isn't about how much you collect, but about what you do with it afterwards. More specifically, how you process, internalize, and ultimately express it in your own unique way. This journey, from input to output, aligns perfectly with the classic IPO model: Input → Process → Output.
In the past, I focused too much on Input, just like that little squirrel, believing that I'd be good as long as I gathered enough. While, thinking with the end in mind made me see that what really keeps the process running is to have a clear Output goal. It's like an engine. It draws you toward to more focused Inputs. And more importantly, it urges you to dive deeper into Processing. With thorough thinking, digesting, and reorganizing, all your investments and efforts yield the kind of Output you're aiming for.
I always believe that Output is the best Input. Output-driven learning is the most effective way of mastering new skills. When you bear an Output goal in mind, you will always think deeply (Processing) and search for the most relevant information (Input). This whole process is the most efficient way to internalize knowledge, turning information from something you just stash away into something you can actually use.
The above cognition shaped our vision for YouMind: it goes beyond the conventional concept of a bookmarking tool. We expect users to make quick and informed decisions when looking at all kinds of content, easily discern if something truly fits their needs. More importantly, we encourage them to go a step further to actually digest the content, and come into the crucial "Process" phase.
This is exactly why we created Board in YouMind—your ideal workspace for content creation. It's not just a place to store information. Moreover, it's a thinking canvas where you can freely organize, internalize, and reconstruct ideas all closely related to your output goals. In addition, we designed Mind Studio, allowing every creator to customize AI capabilities within their Boards. These assistants can help overcome various challenges in gathering and digesting information.
Nevertheless, processing information isn't the final goal. The core of Board is its ability to help you transform your collected content and creative ideas into concrete output. Our AI Writer makes it easier to turn thoughts into words, while offering varied ways to express ideas—be it a mind map, a document, or even an image. All these become channels conveying your unique thoughts.
From an inspiration on a whim to a finished work, this journey is worth experiencing with care. We build YouMind as an AI Creation Studio which connects the flow of "input," "process," and "output" in its natural and intrinsic way. Our ultimate goal is to help knowledge workers turn ideas into results and share them with the world.
Throughout this journey, we expect YouMind to be your favorite pen—an extension of yourself that feels just right—allowing you to focus on the depth of your thinking and the excellence of your expression, capturing your insights and connecting your world.