Hey friends,

Hope you had a good weekend.

Here’s this week’s 1 Doodle · 1 Do · 1 Direction.

1 Doodle

When I started my YouTube channel, I did not know exactly what I wanted to talk about.

I had a general idea. I wanted to talk about productivity at work. Things like how to find a job, how to be more productive, and how to do better in the workplace.

But there was one big problem. I did not have the confidence to sit in front of a camera and talk about these things in English.

I started learning English when I was 29, so a voice in my head kept saying, “Who do you think you are to make videos in English?”

That voice kept me stuck for months.

I kept thinking, planning, doubting, and waiting.

Then one day I realized something important. Talking in front of a camera is hard for almost everyone. It is not just hard because it is in English. Even if I wanted to make videos in my own language, it would still feel difficult.

If you do not believe me, turn on your camera and try talking about one topic for 8 minutes. It is not easy.

So I made a decision. I told myself: I do not need to start with the perfect topic. I just need to start with a topic I feel confident talking about.

That topic was how to write a research paper.

Funny enough, that was not even what I wanted my channel to become. But it gave me a safe place to practice being on camera. It was my confidence zone.

I made 31 videos on that topic.

Those videos were not the final destination. They were my way of lowering the bar enough to begin.

This doodle is a reminder to myself that self-talk, planning, and preparation all have value. But nothing really changes until action begins.

1 Do

What is one thing you have wanted to start, but have kept postponing?

This week, lower the bar.

Tell yourself, “I am allowed to do a bad version of this.”

Let it be messy, awkward and far from perfect.

Just start.

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1 Direction

Lowering the bar is one of the most powerful ways to begin.

I gave myself permission to be bad in my first 31 videos, and honestly, I am still learning.

But learning by doing has taught me far more than waiting for the day I would finally feel ready to record the perfect video.

Warmly,

- Ehsan /a-🌞/

P.S. If this newsletter made you think of someone, feel free to forward it to them. They can read all past newsletters here and subscribe if they like.

P.P.S. I recently made a video on My Hybrid Productivity System. You can watch it here.

P.P.P.S. Feel free to reply and say hi. I always enjoy hearing from readers.

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