Structure Principles & Common Mistakes

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Build systems that last. A few principles prevent most Notion messes.

Golden principles

  • Keep it flat — use databases and links, not deep nesting
  • Single source of truth — one database per entity, multiple views
  • Name things clearly — “Q1 Marketing Tasks” beats “Tasks 2”
  • Separate databases from dashboards — like building an app

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Duplicating databases instead of using views
  • Nesting 5+ levels deep
  • Over-engineering before you understand your needs
  • Forgetting to use relations
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Golden rule: Start simple. Add complexity only when you need it.