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Ali Abdaal: How I Write (Productively)

How I Write

Wed Dec 06 2023



Writing Style and Approach in Content Creation:

  • Explaining concepts as if talking to a friend rather than performing for an audience is crucial, making the content more engaging and relatable.
  • Quantity being more critical than quality in the early stages of content creation until execution skills improve was highlighted.
  • Shifting from being seen as a guru to a guide in writing and content creation helps overcome imposter syndrome. This approach emphasizes humility and relatability, guiding audiences through shared experiences effectively.
  • Incorporating personal anecdotes or practical advice enhances audience engagement and connection by providing specific examples that are relatable.

Personal Writing Challenges and Strategies:

  • Acknowledging challenges related to perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and high expectations when starting writing projects often leads to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
  • Using voice transcription for quicker idea expression compared to traditional typing methods offers a solution for faster idea generation.
  • Balancing authenticity while increasing information density in writing poses a challenge, requiring strategies to maintain relatability amidst professional growth.

Content Scripting and Delivery Methods:

  • A preference for natural delivery over strictly scripted formats indicates that authentic communication resonates better with audiences during content creation.
  • Finding the right mix between structured scripting for accuracy and spontaneous delivery for authenticity is essential for maintaining viewer engagement across different topics.
  • Experimentation with varying degrees of scripting based on topic complexity or personal expertise shows how creators adapt their style to suit the subject matter effectively.

Finding the Right Balance in Personal Examples:

  • Striving to balance including personal examples for personality infusion without alienating readers with overly specific references enhances reader connection by maintaining relevance.
  • Directly addressing readers (you) versus self-references (I) within written content increases reader investment in highlighted sentences, fostering stronger engagement.
  • Injecting personality into writing through distinct voice elements contributes to reader engagement even when reducing specific personal anecdotes. The goal is enhancing the personal touch without solely relying on individual stories.

Writing Strategies and Book Structure:

  • The final lines in books are crucial for creating tension, release, flow, and rhythm, leaving a lasting impact on readers.
  • Nonfiction books have been criticized for lacking depth compared to blog posts or tweet threads, leading to the popularity of short summaries online.
  • Full narratives with build-up provide a more engaging learning experience according to the speakers.

Structuring Books: Listicle vs. Framework Approach:

  • Morgan Housel's book "The Psychology of Money" is praised for its listicle approach with short stories and key takeaways at the end of each chapter.
  • Readers engage with relatable stories on money psychology written as blog post-style lessons by Housel.
  • This story-driven format coupled with personal commentary and timeless lessons enhances reader engagement and retention significantly based on speaker insights.

Productivity Philosophy: Feel Good Productivity:

  • Transitioning from complex productivity equations to feel good productivity was influenced by feedback emphasizing simplicity and enjoyment in work tasks.
  • Positive emotions play a vital role in boosting energy levels and success, aligning with Shawn Achor's findings in "The Happiness Advantage."
  • Focusing on positive affect in work not only enhances productivity sustainably but also brings joy to daily tasks per the discussion between the speakers.

Discipline vs. Motivation in Work Habits:

  • The conversation delves into three primary approaches to task completion: motivation, discipline, and unblocking barriers hindering productivity.
  • Balancing discipline for initiating tasks with fostering positive emotions leads to sustained productivity through enjoyable work experiences as discussed by the speakers.
  • Acknowledging when discipline is needed alongside promoting positive emotions helps individuals maintain long-term productivity effectively based on speaker insights.

Career Choices & Family Expectations:

  • Overcoming societal pressures regarding career choices involves addressing fears related to stability, prestige, passion, family expectations, and imposter syndrome according to the speakers' observations.
  • Challenging scarcity mindsets assists individuals in pursuing fulfilling paths outside traditional norms despite external pressures as highlighted during the conversation.
  • Recognizing emotional journeys linked to family expectations facilitates personal growth while aligning one's aspirations authentically per the discussion between the speakers.

Coaching Impact on Personal Growth:

  • Investing in coaches accelerates business growth by providing expert guidance tailored to individual needs for skill development and strategic planning based on speaker observations.
  • Coaching supports decision-making processes leading to transformative outcomes such as revenue increase through outsourcing or strategic hiring practices according to the discussion among speakers.

Impactful Books on Creativity & Self-Promotion:

  • Show Your Work underscores consistent action over perfectionism in creative pursuits while transitioning from self-doubt towards productive output according to speaker insights shared during their talk.
  • Progressing from cringing at one's content towards producing quality work signifies advancement toward achieving competence through practice and continuous refinement of skills as discussed by the speakers.

Content Quality and Success Metrics:

  • Internal quality in content creation is determined by the creator no longer cringing at their work, indicating potential skill enhancement or a shift in self-perception standards.
  • This personal gauge helps creators assess their progress and readiness for strategic growth, highlighting areas needing improvement before advancing strategically.
  • External quality is evaluated through metrics like views, likes, comments, and subscribes to gauge audience engagement with the content.
  • Comments serve as valuable feedback on content helpfulness and relevance, offering insights into achieving product-market fit.
  • Transitioning to a focus on strategy should occur once either the internal or external quality bar is met, emphasizing continuous enhancement before strategizing broader success.

Content Strategy and Audience Growth:

  • The primary business metric focuses on weekly or monthly views to maximize viewership figures.
  • Views are crucial key performance indicators used to evaluate overall content success and audience reach effectiveness.
  • Sales generation prioritizes an email list approach using lead magnets to incentivize viewer email registrations.
  • Converting viewers into email subscribers enables targeted marketing efforts and nurtures long-term relationships with the audience.
  • Incorporating personalized elements like pop culture references enhances engagement among existing fans while attracting new audiences through discoverable content strategies.

Creative Fulfillment and Future Endeavors:

  • Creative satisfaction stems from acquiring new knowledge, applying it personally, and sharing insights online within a cyclical learning-sharing process.
  • Engaging in this iterative cycle significantly contributes to creative fulfillment for content creators by continuously enhancing skills.
  • Writing a book has been creatively fulfilling, sparking interest in pursuing additional writing opportunities ahead.
  • Conducting podcast interviews offers valuable learning experiences and networking prospects that fuel creativity for future endeavors.