Ali Abdaal, online creator and productivity expert, shares his advice on how to make it online, discussing topics such as balancing authenticity and performance in writing, the surprising success of medical school videos, maintaining relatability after success, finding the balance between personal and instructive writing, the importance of build-up and climax in entertainment, the book 'The Psychology of Money', and the concept of being prolific over perfect.
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Quick takeaways
'Feel Good Productivity' emphasizes infusing positive emotions into work for increased energy and satisfaction.
Finding a balance between discipline and enjoyment leads to long-term productivity and well-being.
Hiring coaches offers personalized guidance and accelerates personal growth and improvement.
Navigating family and society expectations shouldn't hinder pursuing fulfillment and happiness in a different career path.
Prioritizing prolific creation over perfectionism enables skill improvement and authentic connection with the audience.
Deep dives
Productivity Approach: Making it Fun vs. Discipline
The speaker reflects on the journey to finding a balance between making productivity enjoyable and relying on discipline. Initially exploring the concept of the 'productivity equation,' the speaker realized that simply making productivity fun is too simplistic and easily dismissible. The focus then shifted to the idea of experiencing positive emotions in work as the key to productivity and success. The exploration led to the concept of 'feel good productivity,' which encapsulates the philosophy of finding ways to sprinkle positive emotions into tasks, even when they may not inherently be enjoyable. This approach avoids the pressure of constant discipline and embraces the idea of joy and enjoyment in the process.
Discovering the Title: Feel Good Productivity
Through a process of exploration, the speaker discovered the idea of 'Feel Good Productivity' as the title that best encapsulates the philosophy discussed. This journey involved considering various options and moving away from notions like the 'productivity equation' and 'good vibes.' The speaker realized that the concept was deeper than just making tasks fun, focusing on the broader idea of positive emotions and the link between happiness and productivity. 'Feel Good Productivity' emphasizes the importance of finding ways to infuse positive emotions into work, leading to increased energy, productivity, and overall satisfaction.
Finding Balance: Motivation, Discipline, and Enjoyment
The speaker reflects on the role of motivation and discipline in productivity. While some advocate for relying on motivation as the driving force, and others emphasize discipline as the key, the speaker finds a balance by focusing on what brings enjoyment and positive emotions to the process. Recognizing that motivation can be fickle and that not everyone resonates with discipline, the speaker embraces the idea of the 'unblock method.' This approach involves investigating the underlying barriers to productivity and finding ways to make the process enjoyable and rewarding. By infusing positive emotions and focusing on enjoyment, the speaker cultivates a sense of flow and fulfillment in their work.
The Pitfalls of Reliance on Discipline
The speaker acknowledges the pitfalls of relying solely on discipline for productivity. While discipline may be necessary to initiate certain tasks, constantly relying on discipline without cultivating positive emotions can lead to unhappiness and burnout. The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between discipline and enjoyment, where discipline is used as a tool to get started, and positive emotions sustain the workflow. By experiencing enjoyment in the process, individuals can find a sense of fulfillment and long-term productivity, rather than constantly battling with self-discipline and sacrificing their well-being.
Hiring Coaches for Personal Improvement
The speaker highlights the immense value of hiring coaches for personal improvement and growth. Drawing an analogy with hiring a tennis coach to accelerate one's improvement in tennis, the speaker underscores the benefits of having a coach in various areas of life, such as business, team management, and leadership. The speaker shares personal experiences of hiring coaches and attests to the significant impact it has had on their own growth and development. Coaches offer personalized guidance, expert advice, and accelerate the learning process, leading to faster improvement and better results.
Navigating Family Expectations and Following One's Passion
The speaker discusses the emotional journey of navigating family and societal expectations when pursuing a different career path. Sharing personal experiences of transitioning from medicine to YouTube, the speaker acknowledges the pressures and fears associated with breaking free from conventional career paths. They highlight the internal struggle of wanting to pursue one's passion while also feeling the weight of familial expectations and the stability that traditional careers provide. However, through conversations and introspection, the speaker overcame these fears and realized the irrationality of their concerns. They recognized the importance of pursuing what brings fulfillment and happiness, understanding that stability and societal expectations should not hinder personal growth and satisfaction.
The Philosophy of 'Show Your Work'
The speaker discusses the book 'Show Your Work' and its profound impact on their creative journey. They explain how the book inspired them to start sharing their knowledge and experiences online, even if they initially felt unsure about the value of their content. 'Show Your Work' taught them that one does not need to be a genius or an expert to share valuable insights. By documenting and sharing their journey, they could connect with others and potentially provide value to them. This philosophy of 'Show Your Work' resonated with the speaker and remains a guiding principle behind their YouTube channel and upcoming book, emphasizing the importance of prolific and authentic creation over perfectionism.
Overcoming Perfectionism and Focusing on Quantity
The speaker emphasizes the importance of prolific creation over perfectionism. They discuss how many aspiring creators struggle with the fear of imperfection and the judgment of others. By encouraging individuals to prioritize quantity over quality in the early stages, the speaker suggests that consistent practice and output lead to improved skills. They share personal experiences of students struggling with perfectionism and holding themselves back from publishing content. The speaker advises aspiring creators to embrace imperfections, put in the necessary practice, and develop their craft before focusing on strategies or monetization. They stress that the key is to 'get going, then get good,' allowing quality to naturally evolve over time.
Balancing Discovery and Conversion-focused Content
The speaker discusses the balance between discovery-focused and conversion-focused content. They highlight the importance of views as a key metric for their business and the goal to enhance discoverability. While aiming for wide audience reach and attracting new viewers, the speaker also acknowledges the significance of delivering content that engages existing fans. By incorporating references and rituals familiar to their audience, they maintain authenticity and connection. Additionally, the speaker emphasizes the strategic use of lead magnets and email list building to convert viewers into engaged fans and potential customers. They recognize the value of segmenting the audience and nurturing relationships through valuable email sequences to eventually drive sales of their courses and future book.
From making his first dollar online at 12 years-old to raking in $4,000,000 a year, Ali Abdaal is not your average online creator. And his advice on how to “make it” online is not so average, either.
I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible.
