1. You don’t know until you try.
“Hustle culture” didn’t work for me. I don’t wake up at 4:30 am, take cold showers, or enjoy green juices. I still watch Netflix, eat McDonalds occasionally, and sleep in.
As someone recovering from the burnout of “hustle culture”, I doubted if I was “productive” enough to write a book about productivity. After all, I was no james clear, not a navy seal or unbreakable gym bro.
But I still tried:
I posted my first productivity tip in June 2022. I was shocked by the number of comments & support I got. And the rest is history.
I never would have gotten to writing that book if I didn’t take that leap of faith.
Start small. Start today.
2) imperfection is authenticity. authenticity builds your audience
I structured my book to address myths in the productivity industry that didn’t work for me.
Instead of trying to be an impressive “guru”, I was an imperfect guide.
Why this worked :
- showed my audience that I understood their problems & pain points.
- Empathy cuts through the noise.
3) focus on the problem
The book is now a source of passive income (i.e. I don’t have to constantly post about it, and people have still found it via my other content.
when you sell, you have to pitch.
when you solve a problem, your audience will seek you.
4) don’t try to do it all.
whether it’s a post, a product, or a project, focus is key.
Even if you have an audience of 1000, write for an audience 1. Write like you’re speaking to a close friend, or your younger self.
When you try to impress everyone, you resonate with no one.
5) consistency compounds
The book took nearly a year to write (including drafting, editing, and designing the workbook).
Along the way, I continued posting to better understand my audience.
There will be days when your posts flop or writer’s block hits you like a truck.
In those moments, zoom out, and remember that numbers are a lagging measure of success.
Discipline and habits are transferrable skills.
Personal growth is an infinite game that you can’t lose.
Keep learning. Keep building. Keep iterating.
You won’t regret it.
