I've listened to this David Perell (@david_perell) podcast with Seth Godin on online writing at least 7 times this year.

Here are the one-liners that stuck with me 🧵

• Committing to show up every day with something that might shine a light for somebody is a really good habit to have.

• Compliance and authority scale way better than freedom and responsibility.

• Fear is the evidence, our body telling us that we’re onto something important.

• The fear of being held accountable can make it harder to share your thoughts and ideas.

Seth On Writing;

• Inspiration comes from writing, not the other way around.
• Writing every day can lead to generative thinking and new ideas.
• Even if no one read my blog, I would still write it.
• Writing tools can serve as a Pavlovian reminder to get to work.

Seth on Education;

• Homeschooling is expensive and scary because it requires accepting responsibility for one of the most important things in your family's life, for which you have almost no training.

• To win the game of education, you have to play a different game and figure out what other agendas are available for your kids and family.

• The flipped classroom model can be effective when students are self-motivated and have a strong foundation in the subject matter.

Online Education;
• The hardest part of online learning is getting people to trust themselves enough to enroll.

• Online education plays right into the hands of the factory mindset.
• Online learning causes deep and permanent change and works at scale.
• Online learning experiences need to create surprises and delight to be successful.

• Scarcity is either created by geography or by man-made structure, and online learning does not have geography.

• If you're fortunate enough to grow up in a home filled with stability, possibility, and encouragement, that is a huge advantage over people who don't have that ability.

• Communities need boundaries, and their members should be enrolled in a similar journey.

• Instead of denying how you feel, you might look at how you feel as a symptom that you were doing something important and generous.

• If you are doing work that hasn’t been done before, which means creativity or leadership, then you can’t be sure it’s going to work. Because it’s never been done before.

Glad you enjoyed the one-liners!

Here's the link to listen to the full episode: https://perell.com/podcast/seth-godin-writing-every-day/

The Importance of Commitment, Creativity, and Fear in Pursuing Your Passion

I've written over 90 blog posts in the past year, and I've learned a lot from the experience.

Here are 21 lessons;

1. It's okay to be imperfect.

In fact, it's better to be imperfect than to try to be perfect and never get anything done.

2. The more you write, the easier it becomes. At first, it feels like pulling teeth, but after a while, it gets much easier and even enjoyable.

3. There's always room for improvement.

No matter how good you think your writing is, there's always room for improvement. Keep striving to get better and better.

4. Quality trumps quantity.

It's better to have a few well-written posts than a bunch of poorly written ones.

5) Take your time and don't rush things .

Rushing leads to mistakes and sloppy work .

6) Get help when you need it . If you're struggling with something, reach out to others for help or advice .

7) Be persistent . Writing can be tough , but keep at it and don't give up .

If you're feeling burnt out , step away from your work for awhile and come back refreshed .

9) Experiment with different formats and styles . Don't be afraid to try something new once in awhile - you might surprise yourself!

10 ) Learn from your mistakes .

If you make a mistake , take note of it so that you don't repeat it in the future

11 ) Be open to feedback . Others can offer helpful insights that can make your writing even better

12 ) Always proofread your work before hitting publish !

Typos happen , but they make you look unprofessional

13 ) Study other writers that you admire . What do they do that makes their writing so great ?

See if you can incorporate some of their techniques into your own work

14) Find your voice as a writer - what makes your writing unique ?

Play around with different ways of expressing yourself until you find a style that feels natural

15 ) Write about what interests YOU - not what you think others want to hear

16 ) Have fun with it !

Writing should be enjoyable , so make sure whatever topic or format you choose is something that YOU enjoy working with

18) Rome wasn't built in a day - neither is a successful blog !

19) Give yourself time to grow

Keep putting out content over time your efforts will be compounded...

20) Network with other bloggers - collaborate , guest post , link up ! You'll meet some great people AND build an audience for your blog

21) Keep going !

Once you start down the path of blogging , there's no turning back - but trust me , it's worth it

You can read the unrolled version of this thread here: https://typefully.com/ishehraj/rRJkGon

21 Lessons from writing 90+ blog posts

11 Marketing Tips for non-marketers

A Thread

1) Define your goals Before you can start marketing, you need to know what you want to achieve.

- What are your goals?
- What do you want to achieve?
- What are your KPIs?

2) Know your audience

- Who are you marketing to?
- What are their needs and wants?
- What are their pain points? What motivates them?

3) Research your competition
Who are your competitors?
What are they doing well?
What could you do better?
What is their unique selling proposition?

4) Choose the right channels

There are a lot of marketing channels out there. Which ones will work best for you and your audience?

5) Create compelling content Your content needs to be interesting, informative, and engaging. It should also be relevant to your audience and your goals.

6) Optimize your website

Your website is one of your most important marketing tools. Make sure it is well-designed, user-friendly, and optimised for search engines.

7) Use social media

Social media is a great way to connect with your audience and promote your content. But beware of overdoing it – too much self-promotion can be off-putting.

8) Email marketing

Email marketing can be a great way to stay in touch with your audience and promote your content. But make sure you are not spamming people!

9) Advertising
Advertising can be a great way to reach new people. But it can also be expensive, so make sure you are targeting the right people.

10) Public relations

PR can be a great way to get exposure for your business. But it can be time-consuming, so make sure you are prepared to commit to it.

11) Analyse and adjust

Marketing is not a one-time thing. You need to constantly analyse your results and adjust your strategy.

You can read the unrolled version of this thread here: https://typefully.com/ishehraj/cvLvh95

11 Marketing Tips for non-marketers

How to build Monk Like Self-discipline

== A Thread ==

1) Learn to resist

Start by resisting small things that are not worth spending time on – like checking Facebook too frequently or eating junk food. 

You'll learn to fight your temptations.

2) Form a routine

Make sure you form healthy habits by developing routines – like proper eating times, time for exercising, and time for studying.

3) Form Sleeping Time

Make sure you stick to a regular sleeping schedule so that your body can get the rest it needs.

4) Set goals and achieve them

Set clear goals and work hard every day to achieve them. 

Whether it's learning new skills or accomplishing important tasks, always push yourself to keep moving forward.

5) Practice meditation

Whether it's taking time each day for quiet contemplation or observing your thoughts without judgment. 

Make sure that you find a practice that works for you and stick with it.

6) Surround yourself with positive people

It's easy to lose focus or give up when you're surrounded by people who don't believe in you.

Find like-minded individuals who will inspire and motivate you to stay on track.

7) Reward yourself every step of the way

As you make progress towards becoming more disciplined, remember to take time to celebrate small wins.

8) Avoid distractions

Whether it's social media, television, or video games, find ways to minimize the amount of time you spend being distracted from your goals

9) Eat Clean

You need to stick to a strict diet in order to maintain the proper energy and focus that is required for your discipline

10) Avoid mindless activities

Before engaging in any activity, make sure that it will help you to achieve your goals. 

If it's just mindless entertainment or socializing, it's best to avoid it altogether.

11) Learn to say no

Don't let anyone or anything distract you from your goals – learn to say no when necessary.

12) Be uncomfortable

You've to step outside of your comfort zone. Be open to new experiences, and challenges, even if they're initially uncomfortable.

13) Persevere

When you face setbacks or failures, don't give up. Remember that it's part of the journey.

Persevere through even the toughest challenges to achieve your goals.

14) Have Faith

You will need faith to persevere through difficult times and to keep moving forward. 

Whether you believe in a higher power or just have faith in yourself, stay focused on your goals

Wanna discover more?

Check out this video by Sam Ovens

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjKYJjCqUv4

Musk bought Twitter for protecting freedom of speech

Let's discuss It...

What is freedom of speech?

The power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints.

In my opinion, This doesn't mean that you can openly Abuse anyone on the Internet and get away with it. 

If you're using Social Media to bully someone, for example, you can still be prosecuted.

Why does Musk buy Twitter?

I think he bought it to protect the users of the platform and to make sure that everyone has a voice.

He didn't want to see it censored or shut down. He wants it to be a place where people can freely express themselves.

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1518623997054918657

Future plans for Twitter?

I don't really know. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Hopefully, it will be a positive change and the platform will become even more popular than it is now.

As he changed Tesla's destiny, he will change Twitter as well
https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1517052799070126080

My opinion on @elonmusk purchase?

it's important to have a platform like Twitter that allows for free speech. I think it was a smart move on his part to buy the company. 

It will help keep the platform afloat and allow people to continue to use it as a tool for expression.

Any questions? Let's discuss this in the comments

How to begin your digital detox journey

A Thread ///🧵🧵🧵

1) Determine your goal: What do you hope to achieve by going on a digital detox.

More productivity? More free time? Less anxiety? Better sleep?

Write it down on paper

2) Set a time limit: How long do you want to go without your digital devices.

A day? A week? A month? (ideal 1 day)

Choose a realistic time frame that you can stick to it. 

3) Choose your detox method: There are a few ways you can go about disconnecting from your devices. 

You can go completely off the grid, which means no phone, no computer, or no social media.

Or, you can be more lenient with yourself and set some ground rules;

- using your phone for 30 minutes a day,
- no social media during work hours.
- no phone in the bedroom

4) Find an accountability partner

This is someone who will help you stick to your detox goals. This could be a friend, family member, or even a co-worker.

5) Manage your triggers: Once you know what your triggers are, you can start to manage them.

Here you can read four laws of behavior change: https://shehraj.com/book/summaries/atomic-habits/

6) Take it one day at a time: Don’t get discouraged if you stumble along the way. Just pick yourself up and start again.

7) Celebrate your accomplishments: When you reach your goal, take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. 

Maybe treat yourself to a new book or a day at the spa.

Discover more while watching this video by @noahkagan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNxUwNr2Xl4

Another thread to dive into
https://twitter.com/ishehraj/status/1507396942245945346

Time for digital detox

Struggling to write better? Read this 👇🧵

1. Know your audience.

Before you start writing, take some time to think about who your audience is; 

- What are they interested in? 
- What is their pain point? 
- What is their age, and gender?

Be as specific as you can

2. Everyone starts small.

Writing is a skill, and like any skill, it takes time and practice to get better at it. 

If you’re just starting out, don’t be discouraged – everyone starts small. Write as much as you can, and don’t worry about being perfect. 

3. Use simple words and sentences.

Don't use complicated words and sentence structures. 

Avoid jargon and technical terms unless you’re writing for a specific audience that will understand them.

4. Start with a strong headline.

Your headline is the first (and sometimes only) thing your audience will see, so it’s important to make it count.

A strong headline will grab attention and make people want to read more. Not sure how to write a great headline? Check out this guide via @copyblogger  
https://copyblogger.com/10-sure-fire-headline-formulas-that-work/

5. Write in short paragraphs.

People have short attention spans, so it’s important to make your writing easy to read. 

One way to do this is to write in short paragraphs. This will help break up your text and make it easier for people to scan and digest.

6. Use images, infographics, and videos.

In addition to text, images, infographics, and videos are a great way to break up your content and make it more engaging. 

Not only that, but people are more likely to share visual content than text-based content.

7. Edit, edit, edit.

Once you’ve finished writing, it’s important to go back and edit your work. 

Look for ways to improve clarity, brevity, and overall quality.  A great way to edit your work is to read it out loud. 

I recommended using @Grammarly, @HemingwayApp

8. Get feedback from others.

Another great way to improve your writing is to get feedback from others. 

Ask a friend or colleague to read your work and give you their honest opinion. 

What did they like? What didn’t they like? What could be improved?

9. Keep learning.

Finally, the best way to improve your writing is to keep learning. 

Read books and articles on writing, attend workshops and conferences, and practice as often as you can.

The more you learn, the better you’ll write.

Additionally, Where reading other blogs learn how they are structuring their sentences, paragraphs, and blog posts as a whole. 

Also, don't forget to read the comments section to get an idea about what people didn't like in the blog post and how you can improve upon it.

Do you have any other tips for writing better? Share them in the comments below! 👇

I'm writing a book at the age of 19.

Here are 19 lessons I learned;

1. You can't please everyone, so don't try.

Have a customer avatar. You'll never succeed, and you'll just end up exhausted. 

Write for yourself, and write what you want to write.

2. Don't compare your journey to anyone else's.

We all have different paths to take, and comparing yours to someone else's is only going to make you feel bad about yourself.

3. Writing is hard work, there's no getting around it.

If you want to be a writer, you have to be prepared to put in the hard work. You have to push through and keep going.

4. Editing is even harder work.

Once you've finished writing your book, the real work starts.

5. Your first draft will never be perfect

Errors are acceptable. Your first draft is merely a beginning point; anything that isn't working can be fixed.

6. Rewriting is hard work, but it's worth it.

Once you've finished your first draft, it's time to start rewriting. This is where you'll be able to make your book shine.

7. Take breaks but don't give up.

Sometimes you just need a break. Step away for a little while, and come back when you're feeling refreshed.

8. It's okay to ask for help 

If you're struggling with your book, don't be afraid to ask for help. There are plenty of people out there who are willing to offer advice and support.

9. You will make friends through writing 

One of the best things about being a writer is the friends you'll make. You'll meet other writers who understand what you're going through, and you'll form lasting bonds.

10. Be prepared for constructive criticism, but don't take it personally.

It can be tough to hear but try not to take it personally. Use it as an opportunity to improve your book.

11. There's no one right way

There are a lot of different ways to publish your book these days, and there's no one right way to do it. 

Do whatever feels right for you and your book.

12.   Don't be afraid to put yourself out there.

If you want people to read your book, you have to be willing to talk about your journey as a writer. 

Don't be afraid to share your story.

13. Don't let rejections stop you.

Getting rejections is part of the publishing process, so don't let them get you down. Keep submitting your work and eventually, someone will say yes.

14. Don't give up

I can't even remember how many times I told myself that is going to be impossible. 

But I never gave up, and eventually, I'll make it happen.

15. Believe in yourself, even when others don't.

There will be people who don't believe in you or your story. 

That's okay. Believe in yourself, and keep going.

16. There's no such thing as a perfect book, so don't strive for perfection.

It will never be perfect, and that's okay. As long as you're happy with it,

17. You're never too young (or old) to achieve your dreams.

I started writing my book when I was 18 years old, and I'm 19 now. 

It goes to show that you're never too young (or old) to achieve your dreams. If you want to write a book, go for it!

18. It's never too late to start writing.

If you've always wanted to write a book, don't wait any longer. 

Start writing today.

19. Your book is worth finishing, no matter how long it takes.

I first started writing my book over 14 months ago. It's taken me a long time to get to this point, but it's been worth It

Bonus: Finally, enjoy the process.

Writing can be tough, but it's also a lot of fun. Don't forget to enjoy the journey.

If you're thinking of writing a book or are already working on one, I hope these lessons encourage and inspire you!

Make sure to follow me on Twitter for updates on my book and more writing tips: @ishehraj

So keep writing, keep learning, and never give up.

11 Rules for a Better Life (According to the Stoics)

A thread

Rule #1: Don't let your emotions control you.

The Stoics believed that we should not let our emotions control us. We should remain calm and rational in the face of difficult situations

Rule #2: Act with virtue.

The Stoics believed that we should always act with virtue. 

This means doing what is right, even if it is difficult. It also means treating others with respect.

Rule #3: Live in the present.

The Stoics believed that we should live in the present and not worry about the future or dwell on the past. 

We should focus on the here and now and make the most of every moment.

Rule #4: Don't be concerned about things that might occur

We should focus on what is happening right now and not let our minds run wild with worry about things that may never happen. 
https://twitter.com/thinkthatwaycom/status/1507693833244401664

Rule #5: Be prepared for anything

The Stoics believed that we should always be prepared for anything that might happen. 

This means being prepared mentally and emotionally for any situation that might occur.

Rule #6: Don't try to impress others.

The Stoics believed that we should not worry about what others think of us. 

We should focus on our own actions and not try to impress others.

Rule #7: Don't get upset over things you can't control

We should only be concerned with things that are within our control. Don't get upset over things like the weather or others' actions. 

You should only focus on our own actions and how we can control them

Rule #8: Don't take things personally.

The Stoics believed that we should not take things personally. We should not let the actions of others affect us

Rule #9: Don't hold grudges.

The Stoics believed that we should not hold grudges. We should forgive others and move on.

Rule #10: Be humble.

The Stoics believed that we should be humble. We should not think of ourselves or boast about our accomplishments.

Rule #11: Seek wisdom.

The Stoics believed that we should seek wisdom. We should strive to learn and grow mentally.

Bonus Rule: Don't forget to enjoy life.

The Stoics believed that we should not forget to enjoy life. We should live every moment to the fullest and savor the good times.

Wanna discover more?

I'll recommend checking out Twitter accounts like @dailystoic, @RyanHoliday, and some famous Stoics like Socrates, Marcus Aurelius, and Epictetus

What do you think of these Stoic principles? Do you think they can help you live a better life?

Feeling overwhelmed? It can be tough to focus on a task. 

Feel like you're stuck in a cycle of stress and anxiety that's preventing you from being productive... 

Let's get you out of the rut.

1. Make a list of the tasks that you need to accomplish and rank them in order of importance.

Take them as per priority, I use @todoist for managing all my tasks

@todoist 2. Set a time limit for each task and stick to it.

Remember the Parkinson's law
https://twitter.com/thinkthatwaycom/status/1507394113683210240

@todoist 3. Take breaks every hour

4. Disable notifications on your phone

@todoist 5. Create a positive environment for yourself by working in a quiet place with no distractions.

@todoist 6. Stay motivated by setting small goals and reward yourself for completing them. 

7. Practice meditation or mindfulness to help you focus and stay in the present moment.

@todoist 8. Get enough sleep and exercise to keep your body and mind healthy.

9. Seek professional help if you feel like you can't focus or concentrate on anything.

@todoist 10. Finally, try to enjoy the process and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just relax and do your best!