Boy Scout Rule
Leave things better than you found them.
Also known as: Scout rule
Category: Principles
Tags: best-practices, maintenance, principles, productivity
Explanation
The Boy Scout Rule states: 'Leave the campground cleaner than you found it.' Applied to knowledge work and PKM, this means making small improvements whenever you encounter something - fix a typo, add a link, clarify a note, organize a folder. Over time, these small improvements compound. You don't need dedicated maintenance sessions if you consistently make things a little better during regular use. This incremental approach keeps systems healthy without feeling burdensome.
Related Concepts
← Back to all concepts