Alex Mathers

• 10 'One Thing' self-coaching questions to make your life easier, simpler and happier

  I was blown away by Gary Keller's book The One Thing when I read it on the top floor of a Bangkok apartment complex in 2016.

  productivity

  self

  Oct 12, 2024
• This mindset mistake is costing you years of the good life

  It took me almost three decades of worrying, overthinking and grinding to exert more control before I realised it.

  self

  Oct 11, 2024
• Being ok with being disliked is the number one life skill

  We all want to be liked.

  self

  Oct 10, 2024
• Twenty sentences that will make you more charismatic than 97% of people

  Charisma isn't something only granted to the fortunate few at birth. Growing up, I struggled with shyness; anyone would have labelled me...

  self

  Oct 10, 2024
• Ten reasons some people blow up online and attract lifelong fans, and others splutter and quit

  Ten reasons some people blow up online and attract lifelong fans, and others splutter and quit

  marketing

  Oct 09, 2024
• Eleven powerful ways to motivate yourself right now

  Ah, feeling motivated. It seems to come and it go. It ebbs and flows.

  productivity

  self

  Oct 09, 2024
• Twenty ways to lower anxiety by at least 20%:

  Anxiety is a natural part of being human.

  mental-health

  Oct 08, 2024
• Is it worth writing (your own words) online anymore?

  People's attention spans are too short.

  writing

  Oct 08, 2024
• Eight subtle behaviour changes that boost your social self-esteem

  Years of social anxiety forced me to learn everything about confidence around other people.

  self

  Oct 08, 2024
• Three secrets that motivated people know

  What years of STUCKNESS showed me about living a motivated life.

  productivity

  Oct 07, 2024
• Life significantly improves when you understand these two choices

  I've been criticised all my life.

  self

  Oct 06, 2024
• Eight signs you are going to make it in the next fifteen years

  The next few years won't be easy for most.

  self

  Oct 06, 2024
• If you're not sure about your life path, read this...

  I've worked for myself for the last fourteen years since my early twenties.

  self

  Oct 05, 2024
• People miss this one thing and then wonder why they don't make progress as a writer

  How understanding the 'Transformation' will help you stand out.

  marketing

  Oct 05, 2024
• Ten surprising places to find your hidden genius

  'Genius' is not reserved for a special few.

  self

  Oct 04, 2024
• Six uplifting little secrets about confidence I learned from a brooding dragon in a mountain cave

  Not long ago, I found myself venturing far from home.

  self

  Oct 04, 2024
• The eight habits of the most chill people I know

  I have to admit, I've spent a pretty sizeable chunk of my life worrying about stuff I could have left alone.

  self

  Oct 02, 2024
• Eight lesser-known tricks to boost your well-being today

  In my twenties, I was frequently lost and overwhelmed.

  productivity

  self

  Oct 02, 2024
• Eleven fascinating prompts to heighten your awareness and sharpen your creativity

  These prompts will raise your consciousness by bringing attention to awareness.

  creativity

  self

  Oct 02, 2024
• You'd be a fool not to read this in your twenties

  I was in my twenties fairly recently, and I made a whole host of mistakes, most of which I don't regret.

  self

  Oct 01, 2024
• Stop waiting for others to give you the green light.

  You need to act on what you know you need to do.

  self

  Oct 01, 2024
• The nine daily habits of the most elite modern men

  Hey pencil arms, lean in and give this a read..

  self

  Oct 01, 2024
• How to flip your relationship with the past to be happier

  I've spent a long time looking back at my school years with deep regret.

  self

  Sep 30, 2024
• Ten subtle behaviours that make men instantly more masculine

  Yeah, I see you cringing at the word: 'masculinity...'

  feminism

  equality

  Sep 30, 2024
• The only things you need to know to consistently write long-term...

  Writing and publishing most days for over fifteen years was the best thing I could have done.

  writing

  Sep 29, 2024
• Fourteen simple behaviours that make people instantly respect you more

  Are there things we can do that influence other people's perceptions of us?

  self

  Sep 29, 2024
• How to reduce anxiety in two simple steps

  You're feeling anxious.

  mental-health

  self

  Sep 29, 2024
• Fifteen unusual little habits that will set you apart from 97% of people

  While most people eye up the 'overnight' success and wonder why they never see it, the wise among us are focusing on those little habits.

  productivity

  self

  Sep 29, 2024
• Nine things you gotta stop doing if you want more focus

  What even is 'focus?'

  productivity

  Sep 28, 2024
• It all gets better when you stop working on yourSELF and start working on your CRAFT

  How is it that I've been on this Earth so long, and still I can't shake this off?

  self

  Sep 28, 2024
• How to hack happiness by following these 6 unconventional tricks to joy and creativity

  With all the advice on how to be happy, why are so many people still unhappy?

  self

  Sep 27, 2024
• How to write articles fast (that people want to read)

  "Work harder," they say.

  writing

  Sep 27, 2024
• The twelve habits of the most productive people I know

  Being productive in an increasingly distracted world is a prized asset.

  productivity

  Sep 25, 2024
• Men, read these eleven commandments to avoid a life of pain

  In a world becoming increasingly alien and hostile to men, we need all the help we can get.

  self

  Sep 25, 2024
• Forest Awakening (flash story)

  Marcus Thorne's fingers hovered over his laptop keys as that familiar feeling grew in him like a spreading bushfire.

  fiction

  Sep 25, 2024
• 13 simple writing shifts I made that helped me attract 200,000 readers

  Is your writing understandable?

  writing

  Sep 24, 2024
• Twelve simple daily tasks that will energise and simplify your life dramatically

  Life is rarely won in an overnight show of lights and splendour.

  productivity

  self

  Sep 24, 2024
• What Zinsser's iconic 'On Writing Well' teaches us about being outstanding online writers

  I wasn't always a decent writer.

  writing

  Sep 23, 2024
• Seven secrets the calmest people know about anxiety

  I know what it feels like to have anxiety get in the way of enjoying life.

  mental-health

  self

  Sep 23, 2024
• Eight ways to harness your inner rebel so you live a happy life true to yourself

  One of the hardest things a human can do is risk rejection from the crowd.

  self

  Sep 22, 2024
• Eight counterintuitive ways your 'self-improvement' efforts block your progress

  There are over 210,000 self-help books listed on Amazon.

  self

  Sep 22, 2024
• Ten subtle behaviours that will attract people to you

  I've spent most of my life awkward and in my head.

  relationships

  self

  Sep 22, 2024
• The art of writing fast.

  I used to think quality writing took long to write.

  writing

  Sep 21, 2024
• Know this if you want to make money as a creator or coach

  I see many getting stressed that they're not growing enough followers on social media.

  marketing

  Sep 21, 2024
• Fourteen habits that make you more laid back than 97% of people

  Ever wondered why some people seem unfazed, and others are wound up tighter than a tin toy truck?

  self

  Sep 20, 2024
• The twelve habits of mentally strong people

  What 25 years of mental struggle taught me about using the mind well

  mental-health

  self

  Sep 20, 2024
• Forty unconventional life success tips I wish I knew younger: A 40-year-old man's guide to screwing...

  I'm 40 today.

  self

  Sep 19, 2024
• Four things that will turn your 'laziness' into momentum

  Laziness isn't a personality trait.

  productivity

  Sep 19, 2024
• Sixteen life habits that put you in the top 5% of most courageous people

  (These will bring triple the success into your life.)

  self

  Sep 18, 2024
• How understanding the true nature of thought transformed my personal and business relationships

  I used to go red with anger when someone challenged my opinion. I'd dive straight into arguing back without thought.

  self

  Sep 18, 2024
• Twenty mistakes you need to avoid in your twenties (I'm 39)

  Man, I wish I had a list like this in my 20s.

  self

  Sep 17, 2024
• How to make fear your life mentor

  Fear whispered, 'This will terrify you.'

  self

  Sep 17, 2024
• Ten under-appreciated ways to have your followers fall in love with your content

  Very few of us will be exempt from the necessity to build a personal brand in the coming years.

  marketing

  Sep 17, 2024
• The Whispering House Plant (short fiction)

  Sarah placed the ficus on her desk, its leaves drooping in the harsh fluorescent light above her cubicle.

  fiction

  Sep 16, 2024
• Ten lesser-known habits that will make you happier than 98% of people

  I get it, 'happiness' isn't really a thing.

  self

  Sep 16, 2024
• Six simple thinking styles that transform you into a relaxed badass

  The thinking styles or mantras that changed my life for the better

  self

  Sep 16, 2024
• As an introvert, these six ideas motivate me the most:

  1. You're not any less 'social' than an extrovert.

  self

  Sep 15, 2024
• Twenty-one sentences that will make you a better writer than 98% of people

  Learn these to triple your engagement.

  writing

  Sep 15, 2024
• Twelve brutal truths about success few dare tell you

  39 years on this planet has been a hell of a ride.

  self

  Sep 14, 2024
• Twenty-one simple tricks to instantly make your writing more impactful

  What I learned from sixteen years of sharing my writing online

  writing

  Sep 14, 2024
• At 39, here are 16 things I'd tell my 19-year-old self about making the most of every day

  As I teeter on the edge of what many consider a major life milestone (40 years), I feel reflective.

  self

  Sep 14, 2024
• Ten unusual behaviours that make people respect you more

  Years of sharing this planet with you weirdos taught me much.

  relationships

  Sep 13, 2024
• The twelve habits of the calmest people I know

  Maintaining calm is one of the most powerful life skills.

  self

  Sep 13, 2024
• Seven life 'shortcuts' that actually work

  There are no shortcuts in life.

  self

  Sep 13, 2024
• 28 good reasons to write

  Writing makes you want to write more.

  writing

  Sep 12, 2024
• If you get jealous seeing others' success online, read this

  Here's how to see things in a way that empowers you and your online writing.

  writing

  Sep 12, 2024
• Seven things almost no one does that will attract people to you

  I've learned that a significant part of attraction is rooted in standing out from the crowd.

  relationships

  self

  Sep 12, 2024
• Seven game-changing things I learned that helped me find more harmony with other people

  Over the years, other people have brought me pain and joy in about equal measure.

  self

  Sep 11, 2024
• The Antisocial Playbook: 14 ruthless tactics for digital domination

  Playing nice so you don't hurt anyone's feelings won't grow your brand.

  marketing

  Sep 10, 2024
• If you feel like no one gives a crap about you...

  (read this to change this):

  self

  Sep 10, 2024
• Six subtle behaviours that make others fall in love with you

  Years of awkward dates, stunted relationships and lost clients have taught me much.

  relationships

  Sep 09, 2024
• The Time-Lapse Clearing (short fiction)

  I knew something had changed the moment I stepped into the clearing — a hidden oasis in a desert of pine and oak.

  fiction

  Sep 08, 2024
• Nine forbidden habits of the most elite performers in the world

  These habits are probably not for you...

  lifestyle

  productivity

  self

  Sep 08, 2024
• How to be as original as Pablo Picasso

  People think of Pablo Picasso as a highly original genius.

  creativity

  writing

  Sep 08, 2024
• If you're stuck with your writing, these twelve little things will instantly nourish you

  A friend of mine was telling me about how he used to have a solid content-writing habit but recently fell off.

  writing

  Sep 07, 2024
• Fifteen short tips that help you see things most people miss

  Wait a minute, Alex, what exactly are we saying here?

  creativity

  self

  Sep 07, 2024
• A neat trick for writer's block

  People ask me how I manage to write so consistently.

  writing

  Sep 06, 2024
• How I attract more of what I want into my life (for real)

  Think for a second about why you don't want to do things.

  self

  Sep 06, 2024
• Nine unique habits that will motivate you more than 95% of people

  For most of my life, I believed motivation was a personality trait possessed by the lucky few.

  productivity

  self

  Sep 05, 2024
• Thirteen naughty daily habits that make you feel like a happy Spartan King

  Society wants you weak, depressed, submissive and docile.

  self

  Sep 05, 2024
• This little reframe cures online jealousy and doubt

  A lot of my clients come to me and tell me they struggle to use social media because it's bad for their mental health.

  marketing

  social-media

  Sep 04, 2024
• Nine subtle behaviours that keep you calm when you're nervous

  From a lot of personal experience, I know how self-conscious we can be in certain situations. Nerves mean we're in our heads and not there...

  self

  Sep 04, 2024
• Why 'be yourself' is crap advice for writers

  Most of us want our writing to connect emotionally with our readers.

  writing

  Sep 03, 2024
• I thought I sucked as an online writer until I did this...

  I hate how I have to do so much work just to get a few followers these days.

  writing

  marketing

  Sep 03, 2024
• How to clone yourself so your online brand grows faster

  I don't know if you've noticed, but building a personal brand well into the future seems like a ton of work.

  marketing

  Sep 02, 2024
• Eight things I know about being more productive I wish I knew when I was younger...

  I'm 38 and know what it's like to feel unproductive.

  productivity

  Sep 02, 2024
• Why that creative project you always wanted to start is a high-priority

  I've been wanting to write fiction for years.

  writing

  Sep 02, 2024
• Thousands of hours showed me why most people get writing wrong

  I wrote hundreds of articles before anyone cared.

  writing

  Sep 01, 2024
• Eight impactful questions I ask myself regularly to help me focus on what matters

  Feeling aimless has taken up a considerable chunk of my experience.

  self

  Sep 01, 2024
• You're struggling to write because you made it feel like an obligation

  What sounds better to you?

  writing

  Aug 31, 2024
• Remember — you can't fail if you don't quit

  You can't fail if you do not quit.

  self

  Aug 31, 2024
• Ten things you must do if you want to rediscover who you really are:

  So many of us are just coasting.

  self

  Aug 30, 2024
• Seven subtle behaviours that are highly attractive to most people

  Years of awkwardly bumbling through social situations and saying dumb stuff prompted me to take a keen interest in human behaviour.

  relationships

  self

  Aug 30, 2024
• Ask this one question as you go through your day to gain an unfair advantage

  Working for myself now for over a decade has shown me something valuable:

  self

  Aug 30, 2024
• What to do if you feel like an outsider

  I used to hate feeling like a freak.

  self

  Aug 29, 2024
• Six traits of people who are immune to deception from other people

  I'd love to say we live in a world in which everyone is totally honest, and no one is out to deceive you intentionally.

  self

  Aug 29, 2024
• What if 'imposter syndrome' was just a sign you were on the right path?

  James Altucher once said something that stuck with me:

  writing

  self

  Aug 28, 2024
• 10 ways to simplify your life

  Life taught me that things get easier when we keep it simple.

  writing

  self

  Aug 28, 2024
• Twenty one sentences that will make you mentally stronger than 98% of people

  Let's dive right in:

  mental-health

  self

  Aug 27, 2024
• Nine subtle behaviours that attract people to you

  I had a socially-anxious youth, continuously in self-doubt and concerned for the thoughts and judgements of others.

  self

  Aug 27, 2024
• How writing doesn't need to be complicated (the writing enjoyer's guide)

  I've been writing things online for more than fifteen years.

  writing

  Aug 26, 2024
• Writing gets better when you fall in love with:

  The blank page.

  writing

  Aug 26, 2024
• The courage to spend more time alone

  I used to feel ashamed that I enjoyed spending a lot of time alone.

  writing

  self

  Aug 25, 2024
• Fourteen things I wish I knew at 25 (now that I'm 39)

  It's a time to reflect.

  self

  Aug 25, 2024
• Ten tiny behaviour shifts you can make that will make people strangely drawn to you

  I could fill many boxes with stacks of lists documenting all the times I did something awkward or pushed others away.

  self

  Aug 24, 2024
• Quit any one of these habits, and your anxiety will instantly decrease

  Feeling some anxiety is part of the human experience and helps us navigate dangers and obstacles.

  writing

  self

  Aug 24, 2024
• Why showing up consistently, even if it's hard, will change everything

  It is hard to move out of the darkness.

  self

  Aug 23, 2024
• Eight secret psychology mantras that make you a money magnet

  Ideas can make or break your progress.

  money

  Aug 23, 2024
• Seven things you can do to get over the hump of little traction and few followers

  It sucks to put effort into writing things for the Internet, hit publish and hear a chorus of engaged crickets.

  marketing

  social-media

  Aug 22, 2024
• Twenty-two List-Writing Ideas to Transform Your Work and Make You More Badass

  Lists are highly cool.

  creativity

  writing

  Aug 21, 2024
• Nine fun habits that will make you more money

  Making money needn't be painful.

  money

  Aug 20, 2024
• Life will bite you if you ignore these six strange truths

  Let's get straight into it...

  self

  Aug 20, 2024
• The seven habits of the most unreasonably creative people

  Creativity has always fascinated me because to be creative is what it means to be human.

  creativity

  Aug 18, 2024
• Seven societal lies you need to challenge today so you can be instantly free of that heavy feeling...

  Do you ever feel like you're carrying an invisible weight you can't describe?

  self

  Aug 18, 2024
• Eight behaviours that instantly increase your perceived status

  People make snap judgements about who they think you are based on extremely subtle cues.

  self

  Aug 17, 2024
• Eight ways to explore your dark side (and tap into insane energy)

  Tapping into our 'dark side' represents one of our greatest opportunities for living a life of enjoyment, satisfaction and drive.

  self

  Aug 16, 2024
• When you've lost your sense of purpose adopt this thinking...

  I'm falling through wet cloud.

  writing

  self

  Aug 16, 2024
• Fourteen tips for head-turning writing you won't find in any writing manual

  Fourteen years of writing online, mostly crap, with a few gems, has taught me much.

  writing

  Aug 16, 2024
• Nine things Robert Greene's 48 Laws of Power taught me about building a lucrative coaching business

  I've been a business and life coach for over eight years.

  freelancing

  marketing

  Aug 15, 2024
• 25 things I'd tell my younger, anxious self to feel

  What I learned over 38 years I wish I was told when I was younger.

  self

  Aug 14, 2024
• No, you don't need to have gone through hardship to be happy

  I see people talking about how the kindest, friendliest, happiest people are often those who went through loads of misery.

  self

  Aug 13, 2024
• If you're exhausted from publishing content (like me), this is why you need to IGNORE the...

  A couple of years ago, I wrote threads on X for hundreds of days in a row.

  creativity

  writing

  Aug 13, 2024
• The six unusual secrets of the happiest people

  I've lived a life with plenty of unnecessary struggle, heartbreak and frustration.

  self

  Aug 12, 2024
• Six steps to mastering the art of non-resistance (so your confidence rockets)

  Two people sit under a large tree on a bench by the river.

  self

  Aug 12, 2024
• If your content feels lifeless, and you're not motivated, try inviting your reader into your house

  Some of my clients come to me and say, 'Alex, I don't know what else to write about.'

  marketing

  Aug 11, 2024
• Eight little behaviours blocking you from notable success

  Are you holding yourself back from 'success?'

  self

  Aug 11, 2024
• Nine small things you can do right now if you're struggling

  I've had many moments when I felt tired, fed up, overwhelmed and in despair.

  self

  Aug 10, 2024
• Nine daily habits of the most determined people I know

  Read this if you want to stay energised over the long term.

  self

  Aug 09, 2024
• Instead of making a drastic change when you are not feeling it, do this...

  It's easy to feel bored with life and say something like:

  self

  Aug 09, 2024
• Seven things you can do right now to feel great for the rest of your day

  Seven things you can do right now to feel great for the rest of your day

  self

  Aug 08, 2024
• I was so frustrated with how little engagement my writing was getting until I made this simple...

  Build a newsletter of loyal subscribers and buyers using this system...

  writing

  marketing

  Aug 08, 2024
• Why trying to be impressive reduces your impact

  'Oh my goodness! Jason was so impressive!'

  self

  Aug 07, 2024
• Illustrated quotes to raise your frequency and make you fearless

  Ralph Waldo Emerson once said:

  self

  Aug 07, 2024
• Eleven elements of a stand-out personal brand that gathers thousands of fans

  For many years I had no idea who I was online.

  marketing

  Aug 06, 2024
• Why we have self-doubt and nine ways to drop the doubt and realise our inner badass

  A common struggle of those in my community is self-doubt.

  self

  Aug 06, 2024
• How to become stronger even if life gets harder

  Today, a reader of mine asked me if I could show him how to be more 'anti-fragile.'

  self

  work

  Aug 05, 2024
• 54 words guaranteed to make more people stop and take notice of your writing (a must-read for...

  I've written hundreds of articles that barely anyone read.

  writing

  Aug 05, 2024
• How I stay consistent and motivated writing an article most days

  I write a new article every day.

  writing

  Aug 05, 2024
• Fourteen unusual ideas that will make you a more effortlessly consistent writer

  You've heard it before. Consistency is one of the most important — if not the most critical skills — in your arsenal as an online writer...

  writing

  Aug 04, 2024
• The most fulfilled introverts avoid these eight things

  I'm an 'introvert.'

  self

  Aug 04, 2024
• Eight innocent behaviours that age you twice as fast

  I don't know about you, but I love life enough to want to experience it for as long as possible.

  self

  Aug 04, 2024
• Your writing likely sucks — not because you can't write — but because your ideas are not...

  Here's how to transform your content into high-concept content...

  writing

  Aug 02, 2024
• One freaking thing at a time — a simple strategy for being a productive powerhouse

  Picture a box of juicy oranges in front of you.

  productivity

  Aug 01, 2024
• Eight things to do if you just can't focus

  I know what it's like to feel like you have much to do but can't seem to find the motivation to get moving.

  productivity

  self

  Aug 01, 2024
• What, you didn't know? Obsession is the reward

  I'm afraid I have to diagnose you with a rather acute case.

  self

  Jul 31, 2024
• Avoid these eight behaviours if you don't want to be ignored

  There are downsides to always being seen. But there are many reasons we'd want to stand out too.

  self

  Jul 31, 2024
• Eleven little behaviours that make you instantly immune from giving an F about what others think

  I've given many shits about what people think all my life.

  self

  Jul 30, 2024
• Using mantras to build powerful mental strength

  "You stupid, dumb fool! What have you done?"

  self

  Jul 30, 2024
• Seven habits of highly productive creators

  If you were to ask me who my idols were, I quickly think of people like Picasso, Asimov, DaVinci, Aphex Twin, Agatha Christie, and Ridley...

  creativity

  Jul 29, 2024
• If you're struggling to start the thing (yeah, that thing), read this...

  A lot of us never get started, let alone get anything going.

  self

  Jul 29, 2024
• Twenty four questions you can ask yourself to find a breakthrough quickly

  Yes, you can't find a way through.

  writing

  Jul 28, 2024
• How to cultivate self-confidence for long-term health benefits

  Steve Jobs once said that one of the best doctors, among things like a good diet and exercise, is self-confidence.

  self

  Jul 28, 2024
• Six things I am doing right now to improve my odds of success greatly

  It's time to draw a line in the sand, friend.

  startups

  Jul 27, 2024
• Seven habits of the most energised people I know

  A lot of people espouse the importance of time management.

  productivity

  self

  Jul 27, 2024
• Why you don't need to wait to start monetising your audience. In fact, you must start right away

  There's a misconception that you must wait TIME before monetising your audience.

  marketing

  Jul 27, 2024
• It's not more information you need, but you do need to act

  I love to read and absorb new information.

  productivity

  self

  Jul 26, 2024
• Six steps to making paid membership money from a Substack newsletter

  I have two newsletters.

  writing

  marketing

  Jul 26, 2024
• Eight seemingly harmless habits you're doing that make you miserable

  One thing I learned over years and years of amazing highs and terrible lows:

  self

  Jul 24, 2024
• How to reawaken the warrior in you today so you create with power...

  I'll be honest; I've been feeling flat and rather uninspired lately.

  self

  Jul 24, 2024
• 10 things that will give you a huge unfair advantage if you're courageous

  The highest quality fruit often requires you to climb deeper into the tree to collect them for yourself.

  self

  Jul 23, 2024
• How to be confident

  How to be confident

  self

  Jul 23, 2024
• Why you will never 'find' your purpose

  Why you must create your experience today

  creativity

  self

  Jul 22, 2024
• Fourteen dirty little secrets that will quadruple your productivity (I'm not even joking)

  A major lesson for me in my 39 years: it shouldn't take drastic change to make a huge impact.

  creativity

  productivity

  Jul 22, 2024
• Twelve tiny changes that will transform your writing within 24 hours

  Writing is a lifelong craft.

  writing

  Jul 22, 2024
• Here's how to turn challenges into opportunities so you welcome failure

  I love my life.

  self

  work

  Jul 21, 2024
• If you want to be a leader people respect, avoid these ten things

  You don't need to be the CEO of a glitzy corporation to be a leader.

  leadership

  Jul 21, 2024
• You know it's good when it feels weird

  I have a month to prepare for my course launch on building a system that gets you daily newsletter subscribers.

  writing

  Jul 20, 2024
• Do these six things if anger controls your life

  I used to be a hothead, which rendered me pretty useless in those moments.

  self

  Jul 20, 2024
• Ten of the best things we can learn from Strunk and White on writing better non-fiction

  I'm sitting at a cafe at the airport, waiting for a flight from Tallinn to London. I feel a sense of soft sadness for leaving after five...

  writing

  Jul 19, 2024
• When you have doubts about the path you're on...

  You ever get that voice in your head that asks:

  writing

  self

  Jul 19, 2024
• Twelve mistakes solopreneurs make that stop them bringing in hundreds of daily subscribers and...

  I've been growing my newsletter on and off for over a decade.

  marketing

  work

  startups

  Jul 19, 2024
• Eight ways to stop being so uptight so you enjoy life far more

  Hey Malcolm, buddy, 'stop taking life so seriously!'

  self

  Jul 18, 2024
• If you suffered a 'failure,' read this

  You really wanted it, but it didn't work out.

  self

  Jul 18, 2024
• Stop trying to focus and do this instead:

  'I wish I could find my focus,' you say.

  productivity

  Jul 17, 2024
• How to make your readers fall in love with your writing

  17 documented ways to use words to grow a movement of people who can't get enough.

  writing

  Jul 17, 2024
• Twenty one sentences that will make you less anxious than 97% of people

  Anxiety is becoming increasingly more common.

  mental-health

  self

  Jul 17, 2024
• Do the thing most people refuse to do to get an unfair advantage

  Do you do what most people do?

  writing

  self

  Jul 16, 2024
• Eight unusual habits of the super successful few talk about

  Here are some less-talked-about traits about successful people, which have informed my own successes:

  productivity

  self

  Jul 16, 2024
• Fourteen rules for living the good life (in less than 600 words)

  I ain't here to preach.

  self

  Jul 15, 2024
• Why thinking we have a 'self' to protect is the cause of all our suffering

  All our suffering stems from the belief we have a 'self' to protect.

  self

  Jul 13, 2024
• I just self-published a book and sold over 600 copies in a week.

  Recently, I shared my latest book, 'The Art of Self Respect,' with the world.

  writing

  Jul 13, 2024
• Ten ways to inject creativity into your veins (no one talks about)

  Acting on unique solutions to problems will set you apart in an AI world.

  creativity

  Jul 13, 2024
• How to be insanely creative without burning out

  I beat myself up when I procrastinate.

  creativity

  writing

  Jul 09, 2024
• Nine understated behaviours that make people admire you

  Being an awkward teen forced me to take a keen interest in human behaviour.

  self

  Jul 08, 2024
• Ten simple habits that quickly raise your intelligence

  Have you ever done one of those online IQ tests or intelligence tests?

  productivity

  self

  Jul 07, 2024
• Seven simple relaxation hacks to calm you instantly

  I'm no stranger to anxiety, and stimulation hits me harder than many. Poor snowflake.

  lifestyle

  mental-health

  self

  Jul 05, 2024
• Six ways to remedy distressing life situations

  I'm no stranger to seemingly awful things happening and the hollow feeling in my chest that accompanies them.

  mental-health

  self

  Jul 04, 2024
• How to make your content turn heads by turning common ideas upside down...

  So many people share tired ideas that gather little interest.

  writing

  marketing

  Jul 03, 2024
• If you're worried about money, read this for quick relief

  Who is human who hasn't worried about money?

  money

  self

  Jul 03, 2024
• The six subtle behaviours of people with the least drama in their lives

  Life's too short for unnecessary drama.

  self

  Jul 03, 2024
• Do these six things every day and you will find it hard to fall short of your dreams

  The economy sucks, people are dicks, and life is hard.

  productivity

  self

  Jul 02, 2024
• These four things will 10x your discipline in a week

  (This will change your life)

  productivity

  self

  Jul 02, 2024
• Five ways to make it painful to give up your consistent writing habit

  There are many good reasons to stop writing consistently.

  writing

  Jul 01, 2024
• 14 ways I've used ChatGPT to make life easier and reduce stress

  Someone shared a poll recently asking how often their readers had used ChatGPT in the last week, and I was surprised at the results.

  productivity

  Jun 30, 2024
• The secret to winning as a creator? Do what matters with speed and in volume

  You're frustrated.

  creativity

  Jun 30, 2024
• The art of 'not shoulding' (and what this does to your performance)

  When was the last time you 'shoulded?'

  self

  Jun 29, 2024
• Why a productive mind is a mind you leave alone

  A lot of people talk about getting burned out, and I get it.

  productivity

  Jun 29, 2024
• Ten things every new online writer must know (to save time and frustration)

  I've written (pretty much) consistently for over a decade and built an audience of over 150,000 souls.

  writing

  Jun 28, 2024
• Eleven counterintuitive ways to improve your life (no one talks about these)

  None of the ideas I'm about to share with you came from any self-help book.

  self

  Jun 28, 2024
• Quirk marketing 101: How to grow a brand based on your quirks

  Only freaks grow a successful personal brand.

  marketing

  Jun 27, 2024
• All success is overcoming the panic one feels in the face of a challenge

  Why can't this ever get easier?

  mental-health

  self

  Jun 27, 2024
• Eight tiny behaviours that lose you respect

  Watching people around me in everyday life is like peering into a continually-running documentary on human behaviour.

  self

  Jun 26, 2024
• I'm telling you right now, be a maniac.

  Don't listen to the bozos who tell you to take it slow and 'just enjoy life.'

  creativity

  writing

  Jun 25, 2024
• Ten Uncommon Habits to Join the Top 1% in a Distracted, Modern World

  You can choose a path that brings stability, fulfilment and a healthy dollop of fun.

  money

  self

  Jun 25, 2024
• Six immature decisions that will (drastically) sabotage your progress

  I'm not always mature. Deep down, I'm still a kid.

  self

  Jun 25, 2024
• The seven habits that will make you effortlessly independent

  I've spent most of my life abroad.

  self

  Jun 24, 2024
• Ten ways minimalism can simplify your life

  I've incorporated minimalism into my life for over a decade.

  lifestyle

  productivity

  self

  Jun 23, 2024
• The eight traits of the most indestructibly 'fearless' people I know

  Fear and I have formed a very intimate relationship over the years.

  self

  Jun 22, 2024
• Eight traits shared by those who avoid growing bitter as they get older

  I see many people whose bitterness correlates directly to how many years they've been alive.

  self

  Jun 22, 2024
• Jasper's Island (and the power of a still mind)

  He lived alone on an island in a lake.

  fiction

  Jun 21, 2024
• Ten behaviours that make people respect you more

  I've learned a lot about human behaviour through years of awkwardness.

  self

  Jun 21, 2024
• Eight things you can do to be in the top 2% of people in a chaotic world

  I don't know if you've noticed, but the world is not predictable.

  self

  Jun 19, 2024
• Six ways to become needed by your customers and clients so you have all the financial freedom you...

  True freedom isn't necessarily living in a cabin, isolated and detached. It is to be needed — this gives us options.

  work

  Jun 19, 2024
• The new skills we need so we aren't destroyed by the exponential growth of the Internet

  Isn't the Internet marvellous?

  self

  Jun 18, 2024
• That time I had to find $8,000 in less than two weeks...

  Author's note: this was written several years ago

  money

  self

  Jun 18, 2024
• Stop doing these eleven things if you want more confidence today

  My best teacher in life was deep despair.

  self

  Jun 17, 2024
• Seven 'superficial' tips that will get you 10X further in life

  It can sometimes feel like we're running on a hamster wheel of hell.

  self

  Jun 17, 2024
• Nine cheeky little hacks that draw people to you (and they won't know why)

  I spent most of my life wanting to connect better with people.

  relationships

  self

  Jun 16, 2024
• Eight steps to writing an article people love in less than 20 minutes

  (If you just need to get something out or you want to be a speedy writing warrior)

  writing

  marketing

  Jun 16, 2024
• Sixteen little life hacks that will do more for your mental health than a year with any therapist

  1. Every morning, write out your challenges and opportunities.

  mental-health

  Jun 15, 2024
• Twelve cool ways people are making money online with their knowledge

  Twelve cool ways people are making money online with their knowledge

  freelancing

  Jun 14, 2024
• You can make money living anywhere if you do what I did

  I've spent the majority of the last 14 years living overseas.

  travel

  Jun 14, 2024
• You owe it to yourself right now to...

  To stop, right now.

  mindfulness

  self

  Jun 13, 2024
• 11 quotes from famous authors that will make you a better writer

  For years, I've shared my ideas on how to improve as a writer.

  writing

  Jun 13, 2024
• How to make it easier to start things when the last thing you want to do is start

  Finishing things is mega important.

  self

  Jun 13, 2024
• Four things I did to grow over 100,000 followers on Twitter in 10 months

  I've been tweeting since 2008 and ditched an account with 24,000 followers in late 2021.

  social-media

  Jun 12, 2024
• 21 Sentences That Will Make You More Attractive Than Most

  I put together this cheat sheet for quick reference.

  self

  Jun 11, 2024
• How to Create So Much They Can't Ignore You

  Isn't the Internet great?

  creativity

  Jun 11, 2024
• A tip I use to make consistent writing 10x more enjoyable

  Here's a power writing tip.

  writing

  Jun 11, 2024
• How to supercharge the belief you have in your content and writing

  Isn't there enough art in the world already?

  creativity

  writing

  Jun 10, 2024
• Ten ways regular writing gives you more freedom

  When I struggle to find the excitement to continue writing, I remember the freedom it brings.

  writing

  Jun 10, 2024
• Less is more: eight strategies for streamlining your online brand so you gain raving fans faster

  Too many of us make audience growth, online business and this branding stuff more complicated than needed.

  marketing

  Jun 10, 2024
• How making bigger bets might be scary, but you'll know who you really are

  Most people live lives of quiet desperation.

  self

  Jun 09, 2024
• Here's how you can make great money as a writer selling little courses in the next five years

  (In 13 simple steps)

  writing

  Jun 09, 2024
• Ten dirty little tricks that instantly raise your sense of self-respect

  We can be experts at complicating our lives.

  self

  Jun 08, 2024
• Eight thinking habits of geniuses, champions, and legacy-leavers

  It's intriguing to extract behaviour patterns in those who left significant legacies behind.

  self

  Jun 08, 2024
• Ten Simple Hacks You Can Use Right Now to Feel More Self-Confident

  I've spent most of my life awkward, doubtful and twitchy nervous.

  self

  Jun 07, 2024
• Eleven subtle behaviours that make people respect you more

  I've learned a lot about human behaviour through years of awkwardness.

  self

  Jun 07, 2024
• They will criticise and you are untouchable, so you may as well create

  One of the biggest things stopping us from creating and sharing and persisting is the fear of criticism.

  self

  Jun 06, 2024
• Eight things I do before I write to be a better writer

  Why do anything worth doing when we're not in the zone?

  writing

  Jun 06, 2024
• Eleven things you can do to add a little spice to your life

  Do you ever feel like you could use more of an edge to feel more alive?

  self

  Jun 05, 2024
• Four ways to stay emotionally resilient so you don't get broken by social media

  Working on my brand and online business has brought conflict.

  social-media

  Jun 05, 2024
• Ten behaviours that make you more mysterious

  We live in a world where everyone shouts to be heard and seen. Like in any situation, there are always ways to take advantage, so everyone...

  self

  Jun 05, 2024
• Getting paid to do the work you love is like retiring early

  Finding a way to make money from what you love doing is like early retirement

  self

  Jun 04, 2024
• Ten habits that quickly turn you into a super-creator

  You can't be seriously saying that tiny shifts in our behaviour make us instantly more creative?

  creativity

  Jun 03, 2024
• Six signs you're probably going to struggle until you die

  Let's jump straight in...

  self

  Jun 03, 2024
• It's nearly impossible to succeed as a one-person knowledge business without these ten...

  I've been in the game of personal brand-building and making money without relying on a boss for 15 years.

  work

  Jun 02, 2024
• These daily questions improve my life by 10x

  Prolific writer Ray Bradbury once said:

  productivity

  Jun 02, 2024
• Five things I do to reduce overthinking quickly

  Overthinking and I share a long history.

  mental-health

  self

  Jun 01, 2024
• 15 short ideas that help you master wanting less so your life transforms

  The more we want, the more we suffer.

  self

  Jun 01, 2024
• Nine ways you can quickly rewire your thinking to give less of a f*ck about what others think

  I've spent most of my life caring far too much about the opinions of others. It made me nervous and avoidant and lost me opportunities.

  self

  May 31, 2024
• How being productive can be EASY. (Really?)

  If you're overwhelmed and procrastinate a lot and don't know where to start...

  productivity

  May 31, 2024
• Eight hacks that quickly make you more socially confident

  I've continually said that lasting freedom from unnecessary anxieties and social fears lies in developing a practice of letting go of...

  self

  May 30, 2024
• Fourteen ways to calm your nerves before a call or event so you communicate more powerfully

  Two things dictate the quality of your call or presentation more than anything else:

  lifestyle

  mental-health

  May 29, 2024
• The five subtle behaviours of fearless creators

  The best creators are the least afraid of rejection.

  self

  May 29, 2024
• If you're struggling to grow online, read this

  A lot people are struggling to build an audience.

  writing

  marketing

  social-media

  May 28, 2024
• If you want to decrease your anxiety, understand this simple thing:

  I wish it didn't take me so long in life to figure out how to be less anxious.

  mental-health

  May 28, 2024
• The power of personal essays: 15 writing prompts to spark inspiration

  Some of my most impactful pieces of writing revolved around some personal and emotional story.

  writing

  self

  May 28, 2024
• Seven mind shifts that make you immune to the fear of online rejection

  If we're to succeed, grow and make an impact online in this 'creator's economy,' we need to get real with the idea that people won't like...

  self

  social-media

  May 27, 2024
• Nine curious little tricks to create an insanely unfair advantage in your life

  (Pssst, less than 2% of people do these)

  self

  May 27, 2024
• The five subtle behaviours of the most respected people

  Years of being confused by other people and feeling let down by many drove me to learn everything I could about human nature.

  self

  May 27, 2024
• Ten ways to simplify growing your brand by getting help from your audience

  The world is shifting in such a way that everything points to the value of building your own brand presence online.

  marketing

  May 26, 2024
• Five little habits that will energise you through the day

  We often fail to see how our overall happiness and wellness is driven by consistent habits. It's not a personality thing or what we're born...

  self

  May 26, 2024
• How to be yourself

  Why do we care so much about what others think?

  self

  May 26, 2024
• Five lesser-known habits that make life 10x more enjoyable

  I learned over the years not to depend on external events for my happiness.

  self

  May 25, 2024
• How to use your 'willpower muscle' to gain anadvantage

  It was getting absurd.

  productivity

  May 25, 2024
• My writing finally attracted interest after this one big revelation

  Nobody read my writing for years.

  writing

  May 24, 2024
• How to feel better about your future as a writer when you're daunted by AI

  Unless you've been sleeping in a tunnel with no wifi, you've seen the rapid recent improvements in artificial intelligence.

  writing

  marketing

  May 24, 2024
• Why doing this on regular walks helps me make better decisions

  I know what it's like to regret making a poor decision.

  productivity

  self

  May 23, 2024
• Why you need to embrace your 'weird' for the sake of your aliveness and energy

  Nathan was frequently depressed and he didn't know why.

  mental-health

  self

  May 23, 2024
• Knowing this will make you give less of a f*ck about what others think

  I worry too much about what other people think of me.

  self

  May 22, 2024
• Don't be ignored. Here are 17 quick ways to improve your writing

  Many people are frustrated by the lack of interest people seem to have in their writing.

  writing

  May 21, 2024
• Six things I learned in 39 years that I wish I knew younger

  At 39, I still make lots of mistakes.

  self

  May 21, 2024
• Cut out these 10 subtle habits if you hate feeling self-doubt:

  Over many years, I learned to befriend doubt.

  self

  May 20, 2024
• The mental 'hack' that diminishes your problems...

  Take a moment to bring all your problems into your awareness all at the same time.

  mental-health

  self

  May 20, 2024
• Fifteen discreet ways you lose her attraction, bro

  Most men are suffering deeply, completely invisible to women because they were denied these lessons from absent men.

  relationships

  May 20, 2024
• Most people struggle with online business because they don't know their WHY

  Clients often approach me to help them figure out how to stand out and get more engagement online.

  marketing

  May 19, 2024
• Don't confuse your self-worth with your lack of experience

  Many people — including me in the past — have tried things only to take the experience of failing personally.

  self

  May 19, 2024
• You won't LOVE all the work you do, even purpose-driven work, and that's OK

  You may find it inconceivable that you would see real success 'doing what you love.'

  creativity

  May 18, 2024
• How building a newsletter of fans and buyers set me free and how you can do the same

  'Trust me; you need to keep building your personal brand.'

  writing

  marketing

  May 18, 2024
• Seven subtle signs you might just make it

  Life can be hard.

  self

  May 17, 2024
• Fifteen effective ways to grow your newsletter this week

  You could build your entire future through your newsletter.

  marketing

  May 17, 2024
• Ten subtle body language signals of people who get more respect:

  My name is Alex, and I specialise in being awkward.

  self

  May 17, 2024
• Eight subtle things that make you more attractive (without changing your appearance)

  I wasn't always comfortable speaking with people, let alone confident socially.

  relationships

  self

  May 16, 2024
• Six strange ways we're corroding our mental performance

  Ever notice how distracted we're becoming?

  productivity

  self

  May 16, 2024
• Eight mental habits that make you wiser than most

  Having wisdom means you just 'get it.'

  self

  May 15, 2024
• How to build an online brand your people want to binge

  Ever binged on a tv show?

  marketing

  May 15, 2024
• Seven subtle ways you continually sabotage your success (and how to quickly turn that around)

  Most of us race towards the grave with our foot on the break. We wonder why we never got what we dreamed of in our youth.

  self

  May 14, 2024
• Forget alcohol. Here's how to get drunk on life.

  Quick-hit short-term pleasures might be fun, but there's always a price to pay.

  self

  May 13, 2024
• Ten reasons why in ten years you will be glad you wrote consistently online

  It's very easy to get discouraged writing online.

  writing

  May 13, 2024
• If you have a small audience online, and want things to happen, read this...

  Previously shared on newsletter: MasteryDen.com

  marketing

  May 13, 2024
• Seven outrageous little secrets that will turn you into a fearless badass overnight

  Ever wonder why life seems to have given an indestructible quality to some people and not others?

  self

  May 12, 2024
• Twenty five hard things you can do to gain 'unfair' leverage in life

  I always say that to gain an unfair advantage in life, you need to be willing to do what few others want to do.

  productivity

  self

  May 11, 2024
• Five little things you can do today if your life lacks spark

  We're all human and have phases where things can feel a little flat.

  self

  May 10, 2024
• 11 boring work obligations you can ignore to enjoy your life

  Do you ever feel weighed down by obligations?

  productivity

  self

  May 10, 2024
• This one nugget of understanding will reduce your anxiety and improve your life

  I've spent a sizeable chunk of my life uptight and nervous.

  mental-health

  self

  May 10, 2024
• Why endless choice is making us unhappy, and what to do about it today

  I continually ask my readers what they're struggling with, and I've noticed a common thread.

  self

  May 09, 2024
• 95% of success is getting out of your own way. Here's how:

  Life can confuse us and make it seem as though in order to be successful you need the right kind of:

  self

  May 09, 2024
• 15 tricks to help you attract new ideas quickly

  Most of the world is in consumption mode. Far better to be a creator.

  creativity

  May 09, 2024
• The happiest introverts do these six things

  Years of being secretly overjoyed at cancelled social arrangements have taught me much.

  self

  May 08, 2024
• Fifteen ideas for quick content so you have something you can publish even if you don't have much...

  You said you'd commit to creating regular content so you get better at creating, develop discipline and grow an audience of fans.

  marketing

  May 07, 2024
• How to find your superpower — your unique way of contributing in the world that most never uncover...

  For many years I misunderstood myself.

  self

  May 07, 2024
• How to find time to write

  Many people want to see traction with their writing.

  writing

  May 06, 2024
• Fifteen ways to be unstoppable in your twenties (that few talk about)

  I loved my twenties. I experienced much success, but also plenty of pain, confusion and struggle.

  self

  May 06, 2024
• Five things you must know if you want to be a productivity machine

  I calculated I've created and published over 200,000 pieces of content over the last fifteen years.

  creativity

  productivity

  May 05, 2024
• If you ever struggle with 'social anxiety,' you need to read this:

  I know what it's like to feel slow, ugly, and weird around other people.

  mental-health

  May 04, 2024
• Four lies that keep you trapped in overthinking

  A mini field guide you can depend on for daily happiness and performance

  self

  May 04, 2024
• Cut out these eleven habits if you want more respect

  Decades of awkwardness compelled me to learn and understand what connects us to one another and what pushes us apart.

  relationships

  self

  May 04, 2024
• How can you help the world in a way no one else can?

  Too many of us aren't fulfilled because we're trying to be someone we're not.

  self

  work

  May 03, 2024
• Eight innocent mistakes that keep you stressed and anxious

  I've struggled with stress and anxiety for over a decade.

  mental-health

  self

  May 03, 2024
• Eight silly things you need to stop doing if you want more freedom

  We can do certain things to enslave ourselves without even realising it.

  self

  May 02, 2024
• Ten tiny hacks to make your day go smoother

  It needn't take much to turn your whole day around.

  self

  May 02, 2024
• Signs you're on the path of greatness...

  You've committed to a mission, project or cause with no Plan B. Failure is not an option.

  self

  May 02, 2024
• Why you find sitting down to write hard, and how to make it easier

  I'm in the middle of writing my eighth book and I still don't always find it easy for the words to flow.

  writing

  May 01, 2024
• Eight writing prompts for viral articles, posts, and threads

  The short-form article or thread is one of the most powerful forms of writing for bringing attention to you and your personal brand and...

  writing

  marketing

  Apr 30, 2024
• 'Unreasonable optimism' separates the long-term winners from those who struggle

  Over a decade ago, I decided I didn't want to work for a boss.

  self

  Apr 29, 2024
• Eighteen sentences that will make your content more authentic than 95% of 'salesy' personal brands

  For the first few years of building an online business, I wrote to impress.

  writing

  marketing

  Apr 29, 2024
• Five quick changes that make discipline 5X easier

  Back in caveman days, being disciplined was so easy that discipline wasn't even a thing.

  productivity

  self

  Apr 29, 2024
• Here are nine ways to rekindle your flame, if you've been feeling flat

  If you don't have periods where you're not your energised self, welcome to the experience of being human.

  self

  Apr 28, 2024
• Sixteen ways to become a masterful writer (without writing)

  There's no replacement for writing a lot if you want to become an impactful writer.

  writing

  Apr 28, 2024
• A brief introduction to moving out of a slump and into a motivated state in less than 2 hours

  I hate feeling stuck.

  self

  Apr 27, 2024
• The one thing that helped me create every day, even when I wanted to quit

  I give up when the work I make sucks. When I hate it.

  creativity

  Apr 27, 2024
• Eleven little things you can do that make others want to listen to you

  Ever get frustrated that people don't seem to pay you attention?

  self

  Apr 27, 2024
• Eleven self-taught life lessons that gave me a major advantage

  Let's dive straight in:

  self

  Apr 26, 2024
• 16 sentences that will make you a more credible online writer than 95% of writers

  I know several writers who talk a good talk, but lack credibility. As such, they lose readers and struggle to grow.

  writing

  Apr 25, 2024
• 15 short paragraphs that will give you an unfair advantage as an online writer

  I was told today that I'm number three out of the top writers on Medium for self-improvement.

  writing

  Apr 25, 2024
• Four 5-minute habits that will instantly inject energy into your day

  You are what you repeatedly do.

  self

  Apr 25, 2024
• Maybe what's missing for you is the excitement you get from choosing to be (crazy) prolific

  People keep talking about focusing on quality over quantity.

  creativity

  writing

  Apr 24, 2024
• Eleven behaviours that make people instantly like you more

  I haven't always been liked, and I don't encourage anyone to go about trying to be liked.

  relationships

  Apr 24, 2024
• Ten ideas to energise the way you write so you attract thousands of loyal fans

  Let's take a look...

  writing

  Apr 23, 2024
• What I do when I know I need to create, but don't feel like it...

  The resistance is there.

  creativity

  self

  Apr 23, 2024
• Thirteen subtle habits that quadruple your anxiety (I'm being serious)

  I suffered from anxiety (hard) and still have my moments. That's fine. It isn't about never having anxiety — it's about making peace with...

  mental-health

  Apr 22, 2024
• How one small, bold habit change can change your life

  When was the last time you did something that made you feel worse about yourself for having done it?

  self

  Apr 22, 2024
• Give yourself a break by recognising who you really are

  Sometimes I look around and think what a strange story most of us live in.

  self

  Apr 22, 2024
• If you have any shame, take these six steps to dissolve it, so you can return to your badass self

  Shame can lock us in our own prison for life.

  self

  Apr 21, 2024
• Too many of us are just coasting. Here are seven ways to infuse some savagery into you lives

  Our lives may look very different from how it did thousands of years ago. Can you imagine what your bear-skin-wearing ancestors would think...

  self

  Apr 21, 2024
• The nine secrets of the most consistently productive creators

  I've given myself no other option in my life but to create for a living.

  creativity

  Apr 20, 2024
• 15 overlooked reasons people quickly get bored with your online writing

  Isn't it fun when you put time and energy into writing a post, but when you check back later, you see only three people viewed it, and you...

  writing

  Apr 20, 2024
• Opportunities arrive when you're in motion (a mountain trekking story)

  My thighs burned, and the bones in my feet pulsed pain.

  travel

  self

  Apr 20, 2024
• How I went from awkward overthinker to more creative more of the time

  I'm in a cafe in Tallinn, Estonia.

  mental-health

  self

  Apr 19, 2024
• Eight secret habits of the most magnetic people

  As an awkward teen, I struggled to connect with people.

  relationships

  self

  Apr 19, 2024
• Everything got easier when I stopped chasing, and started doing more with what I had

  It's easy to want the rippling rush of that next novelty.

  self

  Apr 18, 2024
• Ten seemingly innocent habits that quietly drain your energy

  Ever have one of those days where the energy just isn't there?

  productivity

  self

  Apr 17, 2024
• If you worry a lot, you need to read this...

  I have an extremely active imagination.

  mental-health

  self

  Apr 17, 2024
• Ten secrets to happiness of the mentally strong

  Read this once for a pick-me-up.

  self

  Apr 17, 2024
• How we win when we turn off the Internet

  We all have a guilty secret.

  creativity

  Apr 16, 2024
• Seven rules I follow as a writer to ensure my audience and business continue to grow

  I've been writing content and sharing it online for over fourteen years.

  writing

  Apr 16, 2024
• The one behaviour that separates the successful from the struggling masses...

  Life has a cyclical pace that can often feel ruthless and unforgiving. I may have been knocked down many times, but my obsessive need to...

  self

  Apr 16, 2024
• 20 small things to do when you're fed up and a little depressed

  Welcome to the experience of being human. I know what it's like to feel stuck and fed up.

  self

  Apr 15, 2024
• Thirteen naughty secrets that will propel you into the top 2% of online writers

  In anything you do in life, you're in either one of two modes:

  writing

  Apr 15, 2024
• How to find a purpose that excites you, no matter your age or background

  A struggle many face, particularly in the modern age, is a lack of purpose.

  self

  Apr 14, 2024
• Why using humour is a superpower in tough times

  In tough times, one of the boldest things anyone can do...

  self

  Apr 14, 2024
• Here's how to quickly gain an unfair advantage in your work

  People glamorise a hatred for hard work.

  creativity

  productivity

  work

  Apr 14, 2024
• If you want more freedom, have people rely on you

  Many of us want more freedom and to work less.

  self

  work

  Apr 13, 2024
• Not saying what you really mean is turning you into a soulless husk

  Have you ever said something you didn't really mean, but you said it anyway?

  self

  Apr 13, 2024
• How I went from self-taught doodler to Google illustrator in my twenties

  Pete, my office manager, cackled on the phone to one of our clients.

  self

  Apr 12, 2024
• Ditch these seven subtle habits if you're sick of not fulfilling your potential

  Thinking you're not doing enough.

  self

  Apr 12, 2024
• No, you don't need to have gone through hardship to be happy

  I see people talking about how the kindest, friendliest, happiest people are often those who went through loads of misery.

  self

  Apr 12, 2024
• It's time to drop your bullshit, and get in the arena

  Many of us destroy our potential because we're cynical.

  self

  Apr 11, 2024
• Why victim thinking slowly eats you

  When I am a victim...

  self

  Apr 11, 2024
• Should we all be doing artistic side quests to keep us energised?

  In my early twenties, some of the most fun I had was creating illustrations for a design stock website, iStockphoto.

  creativity

  Apr 10, 2024
• How to remain optimistic as life goes on

  Do you know people who seem jaded as life goes on?

  self

  Apr 09, 2024
• Five explorative writing exercises that may surprise you about yourself

  E.L. Doctorow once said: "Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing, and learn as you go."

  writing

  Apr 08, 2024
• Why social media is not the problem, and what is...

  We're drowning in distractions.

  creativity

  productivity

  social-media

  Apr 08, 2024
• Three simple truths that will turn your 'laziness' into bold action

  The last post on laziness you'll ever need to read.

  productivity

  Apr 08, 2024
• This one, small shift will help you relax in meetings

  I worked recently with a guy who struggled to relax in work meetings.

  lifestyle

  self

  Apr 07, 2024
• Harsh truths about building a personal brand I know at 39 I wish I knew at 20

  Being visible on the Internet is not always easy.

  writing

  marketing

  Apr 07, 2024
• Nine unique life lessons I wish I knew when I was younger

  I've been on this planet called Earth for an eye-blink (38 years) in the grand scheme of things.

  self

  Apr 07, 2024
• Nine sentences I always return to for self-encouragement when things get tough

  I've had too many setbacks and made too many mistakes to count.

  self

  Apr 06, 2024
• Ten simple behaviours that give you rock-solid self-respect

  Many people ask me how they can be more respected.

  self

  Apr 06, 2024
• Seven subtle changes you can make today to make more people want to read your writing

  It took me many years of writing flat, lifeless words to an unreceptive audience before things finally started to click.

  writing

  Apr 05, 2024
• Ten ways thinking and doing BIG can give you an unfair life advantage

  "It's lonely at the top. Ninety-nine per cent of people in the world are convinced they can't do great things, so they aim for mediocre." -...

  self

  work

  Apr 05, 2024
• Seven major threats to your future freedom as a happy man

  As a man who prizes long-term happiness and freedom over much else, I'm continually taking note of things that could potentially sabotage...

  self

  Apr 05, 2024
• Fear diminishes when you look directly and calmly at the thing you fear

  People get scared because they think fear comes from the things around us.

  self

  Apr 04, 2024
• Ten things I learned about succeeding as an online writer after 15 years of writing

  I've struggled and doubted myself a lot in these years.

  writing

  Apr 04, 2024
• On the rewarding art of not stopping (others will drop like flies)

  A curious thing happens when you've been in the game for as long as I have.

  self

  work

  Apr 04, 2024
• Ten exercises that make you more creative than 96% of people

  Creativity, which is one's ability to make connections between ideas and bits of information, is becoming THE skill of the modern world.

  creativity

  Apr 03, 2024
• Step-by-step guide to mastering your mind (with illustrations)

  I am out of control.

  mental-health

  self

  Apr 03, 2024
• Six simple tips that make you immune to disappointment

  I've spent a considerable amount of time analysing myself and others with a view to better managing in this chaotic world.

  mental-health

  self

  Apr 02, 2024
• Here's why NOT needing 'self-belief' will make you more confident and productive

  When you consider the concept of self-belief, what does that mean to you?

  self

  Apr 02, 2024
• Fourteen little actions that make you unstoppably unique

  Most online advice is training you to be a soulless automaton.

  self

  Apr 02, 2024
• 12 things we can learn from popular books about being mentally resilient so we truly thrive

  Many have struggled and been at the mercy of a seemingly chaotic reality.

  self

  Apr 01, 2024
• How I found freedom working on my personal brand a little bit every day

  I'll be honest.

  freelancing

  marketing

  Apr 01, 2024
• Four killer reasons every creator must write

  Ray Bradbury once said "you must stay drunk on writing so that reality cannot destroy you."

  creativity

  writing

  Apr 01, 2024
• The art of present, thorough work you enjoy

  If you are busy most of the time, making little ground;

  creativity

  productivity

  Mar 31, 2024
• Go where your heart pounds.

  Seems alluring, doesn't it?

  self

  Mar 31, 2024
• What to do when you're struggling to decide...

  Ever find yourself stuck on a really tricky decision?

  productivity

  self

  Mar 30, 2024
• I wrote 400 articles before anyone cared...

  What I learned about writing stuff people WANT to read:

  writing

  Mar 30, 2024
• Nine unusual things you can do to gain a significant 'unfair' life advantage

  Life isn't fair, but it isn't unfair either.

  self

  Mar 29, 2024
• Eleven things to do if you're a 'nice guy' and want more love, confidence and respect

  Might being too nice be holding you back and making you miserable?

  self

  Mar 29, 2024
• Nine subtle additions to your writing that make you unforgettable

  We live in the age of personal branding.

  marketing

  Mar 29, 2024
• Fourteen habits that make you more focused than 98% of people

  What's the deal with staying focused?

  productivity

  Mar 28, 2024
• Ten weird things I discovered that boosted my creativity so I got more done

  People say consistency is the key to creativity.

  creativity

  Mar 28, 2024
• Understanding this one thing transformed my communication confidence

  I was a confused kid.

  self

  Mar 28, 2024
• You are not a perfectionist

  You are not a perfectionist.

  self

  Mar 27, 2024
• How to end self-consciousness

  My name is Alex, and I'm a self-conscious wreck.

  self

  Mar 26, 2024
• Why I'm dedicated to improving my speed

  Pete was a guy at school who always finished his homework hours before everyone else.

  creativity

  productivity

  Mar 25, 2024
• If you're struggling to find the inspiration you need to work, read this

  We can come up with various creative reasons why people don't see success the way they want.

  creativity

  Mar 24, 2024
• If you're a writer or creator and tired of not being seen, you need to read this

  You've finally finished your masterpiece. You're beaming.

  creativity

  Mar 24, 2024
• Eleven habits that make you feel more inspired than the vast majority of people

  Feeling inspired. That often elusive thing we all wish we could feel more.

  self

  Mar 22, 2024
• The magic of making little everyday tests to create momentum

  A brilliant thing I learned from one of my mentors was to 'test' rather than 'trust.'

  self

  Mar 22, 2024
• The nine immutable laws of badass success you never heard of

  What does 'success' mean to you?

  self

  Mar 21, 2024
• Twenty sentences that will make you more online income than a two-year MBA

  The opportunities for using your skills, talents and experiences to make money on the Internet has never been more profound.

  marketing

  Mar 21, 2024
• Get more done with this powerful productivity strategy

  Another day gone, and little to show for it.

  productivity

  self

  Mar 20, 2024
• Twelve quick tips to help you become more consistent than 97% of people

  Ever wondered why some people are seemingly effortlessly consistent?

  creativity

  writing

  productivity

  self

  Mar 20, 2024
• Eight years as a psychology coach taught me this one secret to writing content people love

  Many struggle to make any impact online at all.

  writing

  Mar 19, 2024
• The nine uncommon habits of unstoppable modern warriors

  We don't need to be in battle with a clan of medieval nasties to live like a warrior.

  self

  Mar 18, 2024
• Men, these 12 subtle behaviours make you instantly more attractive

  I've always considered myself a decent-looking guy (my mum certainly seems to think so).

  relationships

  self

  Mar 18, 2024
• The single most important thing that determines the success of any entrepreneur

  I've built businesses and done the self-employed solo entrepreneur thing for over a decade.

  self

  Mar 17, 2024
• Thirteen 'unreasonable' challenges you can do that will set you apart so you create insane...

  This post is not for the faint of heart.

  self

  Mar 17, 2024
• Five questions to ask yourself before writing any short, motivational :

  I've written coming on to a thousand articles and newsletters over the years.

  writing

  Mar 16, 2024
• How to make yourself lucky

  Ever notice how certain people seem to attract all the luck in life, while others are like characters in a Peanuts comic?

  self

  Mar 16, 2024
• Fourteen secrets to finding your uniqueness so you stand out in your own way

  Most online advice is training you to be a soulless automaton.

  self

  Mar 16, 2024
• Nine ways we sabotage our productivity, and how to turn that around quickly

  ACTION is everything.

  productivity

  self

  Mar 15, 2024
• Nine things to know about yourself so you write more stuff people want to read

  Having written my thoughts online for about fifteen years, I am convinced that our best writing reflects how well we understand ourselves.

  writing

  Mar 14, 2024
• Writing online consistently is HARD unless you understand these eight things:

  I struggled to write consistently for years.

  writing

  Mar 14, 2024
• If you're not totally happy in your own skin, read this

  We can put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be or act in a certain way.

  self

  Mar 14, 2024
• All work is challenging, so choose the challenge that means everything to you

  (Author's note: I wrote this a few years ago, but still firmly believe in the message)

  creativity

  self

  Mar 13, 2024
• The seven thinking styles of people who seem to have all the 'luck' in money-making

  I've been in business for myself for over a decade.

  work

  startups

  Mar 13, 2024
• Twenty five hard things you can do to give you a life advantage

  I always thought you needed to avoid stuff that felt uncomfortable to live a good life. Turns out comfort is great, but it's better as a...

  self

  Mar 13, 2024
• Ten small simple steps to mapping out a good life

  There's this thing you've been avoiding...

  self

  Mar 12, 2024
• Read this if you're continually frustrated

  Why does everything seem to get on my nerves right now?

  self

  Mar 11, 2024
• How to enjoy life today regardless of your problems

  Nothing is ever perfect.

  self

  Mar 10, 2024
• If you struggle to find the enthusiasm to create every day, you need to read this right now

  I recently made the public commitment to my YouTube subscribers that I'd be recording and sharing a daily video this year.

  creativity

  Mar 10, 2024
• Asking these questions helps me focus on what really matters

  Author's note: this is a republished piece from a few years ago when I was living in Thailand.

  writing

  productivity

  Mar 10, 2024
• Fourteen simple behaviours that trick you into realising your true badass inner confidence

  I struggled with understanding confidence for years, let alone having it.

  self

  Mar 09, 2024
• How I trained myself to be a finisher of things

  self

  Mar 09, 2024
• Five tiny changes that make your life 10X more enjoyable

  We have the power to change our perspective and thus behaviour instantly.

  self

  Mar 08, 2024
• Fourteen ways to develop Sherlock Holmes-esque perceptiveness that will make you more effective in...

  Ever wondered how cool it would be to think like Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot in their powers of observation, awareness and deduction?

  self

  Mar 08, 2024
• If you ever feel alone, read this:

  Look at you, scrolling twitter, hundreds of followers, super connected.

  self

  Mar 08, 2024
• Six powerful things to do to become a highly focused writer or creator

  Focus is like taking a magnifying glass, channelling a ray of sunlight, and holding it in place long enough for an ember to start burning.

  productivity

  Mar 07, 2024
• These nine basic habits will make you respect yourself effortlessly

  Years of awkwardness and self-doubt taught me something fascinating:

  self

  Mar 07, 2024
• Do this before you quit entirely (strip)

  You've got this thing you're working on.

  productivity

  Mar 07, 2024
• Why 'following your passion' may not be what you're looking for

  I have a problem with the idea of 'passion.'

  writing

  self

  Mar 07, 2024
• Eight simple creative habits that will lead to massive results

  (IF you stick with them for a good 6 months)

  creativity

  Mar 06, 2024
• Nothing is "hard," — it's only your resistance to it that makes it so

  Last week, I gave myself hell anticipating a social event I didn't want to go to.

  self

  Mar 06, 2024
• Ten tiny behaviours that make you immune from disrespect

  I grew up learning to deal with the sting of disrespect from others. I believed I was the kind of person for whom disrespect was a part of...

  self

  Mar 05, 2024
• Why my life improved when I made space for fear...

  'Eat Pray Love' wasn't what I'd usually pick up in the bookshop.

  creativity

  self

  Mar 04, 2024
• Ten tips that will quickly multiply your creative enthusiasm

  This took me many years to internalise, and now I can't stop myself. I'm a creative maniac most of the time, and this doing my business a...

  creativity

  Mar 04, 2024
• Fourteen ways to accelerate success in your life that few talk about

  It's easy to get stuck in a rut. We can judge our progress to be slow and make it slower by escaping to cheap dopamine hits.

  productivity

  self

  Mar 02, 2024
• The greatest transformation I had looked like this

  If you were to ask me, 'Alex, how can I ensure I stay weak, tired and scared for the rest of my life?'

  self

  Mar 02, 2024
• Eleven things I do to help me write articles faster than 95% of people

  People often ask me:

  writing

  Mar 02, 2024
• Understanding this made me calmer as I grew older

  As the son of an English diplomat, I spent some years in my early teens living on the Caribbean island of Barbados.

  mental-health

  self

  Mar 01, 2024
• 12 reasons to get my latest book: The Art of Self Respect — Twenty-five subtle habits for...

  I wrote a new book!

  self

  Mar 01, 2024
• It's time we figured out our direction in life. Here's how to make it concrete

  I had someone email me recently that their lack of purpose was driving them crazy.

  self

  Mar 01, 2024
• Six simple habits of the elite few that will take you to a new level

  I can't imagine anything less interesting (or healthy) than a homogenous world where everyone is granted the same rewards, regardless of...

  self

  Feb 29, 2024
• This little addition to your creative process could multiply your results

  Creativity can be effortless in some moments and a nightmare in others.

  creativity

  Feb 29, 2024
• Twelve reasons you hate yourself and will continue to suck at life

  There have been many moments in my life when I felt terrible, weak and victimised.

  self

  Feb 29, 2024
• 30 questions to ask yourself each day to join the top 5% most focused people

  I know what it's like to feel lost.

  productivity

  self

  Feb 28, 2024
• Eleven good reasons to write and share a daily article

  Many aspiring writers or those who've been doing it for a while might say that writing and publishing a new article every single day is too...

  writing

  Feb 28, 2024
• Nine subtle habits of the most authentic people I know

  I struggled to be what people call 'authentic' for a long time because I didn't know who I was, nor did I often trust who I was.

  self

  Feb 27, 2024
• I've struggled, and that keeps me winning.

  It's been a bit of a mess.

  self

  Feb 27, 2024
• The eight subtle habits of the calmest people I know

  I had a great childhood, but I was quick to anger and would often throw tantrums.

  self

  Feb 26, 2024
• Eleven tiny pieces of advice about how to resonate with a loyal audience I wish I knew before I...

  15 years of writing online has shown me nuances of the craft I would have only gained by grinding in the trenches.

  writing

  Feb 25, 2024
• 15 ways to re-use your content so you save time and gather more followers

  People have asked me how I can be such a creative maniac and put out so many posts each week, whether on Medium, my newsletter, Twitter, or...

  marketing

  Feb 25, 2024
• Eleven subtle habits of the introverts with the most self-respect

  So you're an introvert, eh? Or maybe you know one and would like to know more about how an introvert can better navigate a world that is...

  self

  Feb 24, 2024
• The power of being who you need to be before you need it

  "A sale is made when your conviction about something is stronger than the potential buyer's."

  self

  Feb 24, 2024
• Why the warrior's path is the only path

  One of my coaching clients was struggling with feeling like he'd lost his spark.

  self

  Feb 24, 2024
• Could this be how you truly heal?

  It can hurt when stress curls its knotted fingers around our necks.

  self

  Feb 23, 2024
• Don't get stuck in your emotions. Have a system instead...

  'Creativity' may sound like it's the product of a floaty, loose and undisciplined approach.

  productivity

  Feb 22, 2024
• If your life is complicated, ask these five simplifying questions

  If your life is complicated, ask these five simplifying questions

  self

  Feb 22, 2024
• Nine illustrated Rumi drawing quotes to inspire you to live boldly

  An illustrated journey

  poetry

  Feb 21, 2024
• The shortcut to a good life no one wants to hear

  Did you notice?

  self

  Feb 21, 2024
• 17 ideas for 10-minute-a-day side hobbies

  We get it. You're super busy and don't have time for stuff outside of making money.

  creativity

  productivity

  Feb 21, 2024
• Nine underused little behaviour hacks that will make you feel 10X better about yourself today

  Yeah, I see you, moping about with that scowl on your face.

  self

  Feb 21, 2024
• How to create life clarity in four quick steps [illustrated]

  How to create life clarity in four quick steps [illustrated]

  mental-health

  self

  Feb 20, 2024
• Do the right thing consistently, over doing lots of things right (this changes everything)

  It's tough when it feels like we're falling behind.

  productivity

  self

  Feb 20, 2024
• Eight things that make you a more attractive communicator

  I struggled to have people listen to me or read my writing for many years.

  writing

  self

  Feb 20, 2024
• Read this right now if you're stressed...

  Realise that worrying won't help, even if it feels like you have more control over life.

  mental-health

  self

  Feb 19, 2024
• How to start reducing social nervousness today

  I've had unnecessary social anxiety for most of my life.

  mental-health

  self

  Feb 19, 2024
• Being different used to destroy me — now it gives me the greatest edge

  Growing up, I hated feeling like I was different.

  self

  Feb 18, 2024
• If anger controls your life, you need to read this:

  They said it again.

  self

  Feb 18, 2024
• The happiest introverts I know avoid these four things

  Despite a recent resurgence, 'introvertedness' is still regarded as something of a deficiency, or even a taboo, particularly in the...

  psychology

  self

  Feb 17, 2024
• Seven subtle behaviours that ruin your relationships

  Decades of clumsily spoiling my relationships, combined with an unhealthy obsession into human behaviour and attraction-dynamics has...

  relationships

  Feb 17, 2024
• Twenty sentences that make you a more persuasive writer and communicator

  There's a distinct line that separates people who communicate to deaf ears, and those who rile up crowds with words that drip with a kind...

  writing

  Feb 17, 2024
• How this tiny mindset change can help you earn more money (with drawings)

  Making lots of money gets a bad rap these days. People think it's greedy. Rich people are often regarded with scorn.

  money

  self

  Feb 16, 2024
• Ten subtle habits of the top 1% online writers

  I've been writing online for fifteen years.

  writing

  Feb 16, 2024
• 14 short ideas that will give you more of a sense of meaning than 97% of people

  A reader recently asked me to share what I knew about finding meaning in life.

  self

  Feb 15, 2024
• Nine quick little energy hacks that will instantly make you more productive

  The tiniest things can create significant changes.

  productivity

  Feb 15, 2024
• Prove yourself wrong: live life unexpectedly (for yourself)

  Just as I have repeatedly made mistakes, I've spent my life surprising myself.

  self

  Feb 14, 2024
• How to be fearless

  I've had a lot of trouble over the years feeling at ease when speaking in groups.

  mental-health

  self

  Feb 14, 2024
• You need to get excited again

  I know they say it's about the journey and not the destination.

  productivity

  self

  Feb 13, 2024
• How finding a simple 'cause' might be the secret shift you need to accelerate your creativity

  Sometimes, I feel stuck and disinterested in my work.

  creativity

  Feb 13, 2024
• Knowing This Crazy Simple Thing Pointed Me to My Deepest Passion

  Growing up, I had a powerful fear.

  self

  Feb 13, 2024
• The power of white noise for being more creative

  I've always been hypersensitive and can get overwhelmed by thinking.

  creativity

  Feb 12, 2024
• Fifteen reasons you will succeed (in the next five years) when others will not

  Let's not mess about and get straight into it...

  productivity

  self

  Feb 12, 2024
• The simple benefit from judging less, and observing more

  When was the last time you labelled something without understanding it?

  self

  Feb 12, 2024
• Eight reasons to fall in love with daily writing so you have an 'unfair' writer's advantage

  I don't often feel like writing articles.

  writing

  Feb 11, 2024
• Ask these questions if you want to fire up your writing

  "Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer." ~William S. Burroughs

  writing

  Feb 11, 2024
• Going Ghost: seventeen ways to keep a low profile in a society that wants to be seen

  There are many advantages to keeping a low profile in this world, not to mention peace of mind, personal sovereignty, security, freedom...

  self

  Feb 11, 2024
• Eight 'inconsequential' things you do that make you seem inexperienced at life and biz

  Hey kids, listen up. It's time for Alex to enter DAD-MODE.

  self

  Feb 11, 2024
• Six things that helped me create consistently (even when I didn't feel like it)

  Lessons from creating 200k pieces of online content

  creativity

  Feb 10, 2024
• Five simple habits that make life easier

  I know what it's like to get lost in the everyday rush of life, never slowing down for a moment to take a step back and see things for what...

  productivity

  self

  Feb 09, 2024
• How to achieve anything you want by thinking small

  There is a sense of building despair that comes with repeated failures.

  productivity

  self

  Feb 09, 2024
• The life-changing magic of producing shitty work

  It's annoying when we want to create, but we just can't be bothered.

  creativity

  Feb 08, 2024
• Ten quiet habits of people who attract admiration

  (Even if they look like a warmed-up cat turd)

  self

  Feb 08, 2024
• Seven mistakes online writers make that push readers away

  Good writers are the most powerful people in the world.

  writing

  Feb 08, 2024
• How I designed and created a planner book from scratch (and sold 90 in the first week)

  *(Author's note — this is an article I am re-sharing from a couple of years ago).

  design

  Feb 07, 2024
• Being ok with feeling bored is your secret superpower

  It's like I'm uninspired.

  self

  Feb 07, 2024
• Why we must not allow life to get too 'reasonable'

  Hold fast to dreams.

  self

  Feb 06, 2024
• Nine drawings of Stoic quotes that will make you feel alive

  Let's dive straight into some illustrated ancient wisdom...

  art

  Feb 06, 2024
• Your work doesn't have to be from the heart all the time (the cure to procrastination?)

  Procrastinating has held me back.

  creativity

  Feb 05, 2024
• Four things that are slowly draining your daily motivation

  Years of 'not feeling like doing stuff' made me learn a lot about what it takes to be 'motivated.'

  productivity

  self

  Feb 05, 2024
• Five ways you can be immune to the AI 'threat' in the coming years

  Don't wake up in five years without income because A.I. Richardson stole your job.

  marketing

  Feb 04, 2024
• Seven things you can do before age 30 to gain an unfair advantage over your peers:

  These are things I wish someone told me when I was in my early twenties.

  self

  Feb 03, 2024
• What the 'Aikido' philosophy can teach us about living a courageous and creative life

  (An illustrated introduction)

  spirituality

  self

  Feb 03, 2024
• Thirty 7-day challenges that will energise you

  Can you challenge yourself?

  lifestyle

  self

  Feb 03, 2024
• Seven habits that separate high achievers from the average Joe

  We tend to tie achievement to talent, intelligence, wit and intellectual prowess.

  self

  Feb 02, 2024
• Every tiny action you take counts (and why there is no calling for you)

  I always struggled with focus.

  creativity

  self

  Feb 02, 2024
• A big box of Luck. A story about inviting luck into your life

  For years, I'd look at other people, a gentle current of jealousy running through me. I'd see they were doing better than me.

  self

  Feb 02, 2024
• How to create TRACTION for your online content: my three foundational guidelines

  You've been creating, making, doing and stressing, and STILL, the traction isn't there.

  marketing

  Feb 01, 2024
• Four limiting beliefs I had to break to overcome social discomfort

  I'd always seen myself as shy. I often felt like an outsider. I didn't speak up in class.

  mental-health

  self

  Feb 01, 2024
• How to replace boredom with aliveness quickly and naturally...

  That feeling.

  self

  Feb 01, 2024
• How to figure out what to do with your working life over the next five years.

  Can't there just be fewer cool things in the world?

  self

  work

  Jan 31, 2024
• Nine subtle things that block you from being fully productive

  We can develop habits that become concrete, but that hold us back without us realising it.

  productivity

  Jan 30, 2024
• How to use a simple 'night-before' questions checklist to 10X your productivity

  I know what it's like to go through the day disorganised without knowing what I'm doing.

  productivity

  Jan 30, 2024
• Nine tips to ensure you don't fall into mental struggle or illness

  I know what it's like to have phases where I feel completely out of control, miserable and at a loss.

  mental-health

  Jan 30, 2024
• Eight tips to help you reach your goals five times fast

  If you seem to waste time each day, even if you're ambitious and want to get lots done, you're not alone.

  productivity

  Jan 29, 2024
• Why having the courage to 'Enter the Void' leads to our best creative work

  Here it is again. That wave of discomfort.

  creativity

  self

  Jan 29, 2024
• The cure for an anxious, sucky life, in less than 570 words

  You feel miserable. Life is hard. Everyone sucks.

  mental-health

  self

  Jan 29, 2024
• This is how to live a more 'centred' life

  Being 'centred.'

  self

  Jan 28, 2024
• Three unconventional ideas that will propel you to financial success

  There's been much I've learned in my pursuit of monetary 'success.'

  money

  Jan 28, 2024
• This is the only obsession worth having (and it isn't to be liked)

  We get frustrated because we aren't progressing as we had planned.

  self

  Jan 28, 2024
• If you're worried about starting something new...

  I know how hard it is.

  self

  Jan 27, 2024
• The five habits of people who don't seem to give an F about what others think.

  Isn't it the ultimate dream to be unaffected by other people's thoughts, opinions and judgements?

  self

  Jan 27, 2024
• Fifteen quick questions that make you laser-focused so your productivity quadruple

  Most of us have very little sense of our priorities.

  productivity

  Jan 26, 2024
• Nine life hacks that will instantly turn your frustration into excitement

  There's no better teacher than bouncing around like a wet poodle in the washing machine of life for several decades.

  self

  Jan 26, 2024
• Ten ideas for lists you can write to improve your life this year

  I love writing lists.

  productivity

  self

  Jan 25, 2024
• Seven simple things the most chill people do every day

  Are there things that certain do more regularly than others that gives them a skip in their step?

  self

  Jan 25, 2024
• If you have a fear of rejection, read this

  Imagine this...

  self

  Jan 24, 2024
• Why not being a slob will transform your self-respect

  "Looking good isn't self-importance; it's self-respect." — Charles Hix

  self

  Jan 24, 2024
• What to think when things seem bleak

  Life will never get easy, but we can make it easier by how we think.

  self

  Jan 24, 2024
• This small change will help you get 10x better at reaching your goals

  If I had a magic ingredient that allowed you to reach all your goals, would you read on?

  productivity

  self

  Jan 24, 2024
• Read this to quickly decrease your fears around making money

  If you asked every adult on earth to list their biggest challenges, I bet that one of the most common complaints — if not the most common...

  money

  self

  Jan 23, 2024
• How writing every day made me lucky

  (Here's why showing up changed my life)

  writing

  Jan 23, 2024
• Fourteen fun alternatives to watching crap on Netflix

  Woke shite on Netflix is out. Learning, reading and creating dope shit that makes you money is in.

  creativity

  Jan 22, 2024
• Eight outrageous life hacks that make you more confident than 95.7% of people.

  1. Be obsessed with doing things.

  self

  Jan 22, 2024
• How to be in the top 2% in the modern world

  I've never been comfortable in a crowd.

  self

  Jan 22, 2024
• Eight things you must do if you continually struggle with low self-esteem

  There's much I've learned over the last twenty years, going from a deeply insecure teen to a confident man who loves life (for the most...

  self

  Jan 20, 2024
• I hate seeing writers not making money. So here are eight ways to make more as a writer:

  Deciding to be a writer needn't be synonymous with living in a decrepit bedsit surrounded by ashtrays and empty beer bottles.

  writing

  Jan 20, 2024
• Four ways we can make it way easier to get started with the things that matter

  I've made a lot happen over the years, but you don't see all the projects and plans that never got going.

  self

  Jan 20, 2024
• Most of our problems disappear by being consistent

  A man built his cabin in a meadow in Sweden using only hand tools and wood from the nearby forest.

  creativity

  self

  Jan 19, 2024
• If you're in a slump, you need to read this

  You're ashamed of that thing you did.

  mental-health

  self

  Jan 19, 2024
• Nine ways to bring more danger into your life so you don't lose your spark

  Complacency breeds danger.

  self

  Jan 19, 2024
• How to be free of self-limitation fast so you can quadruple your success

  "If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration." ― Nikola Tesla

  self

  Jan 19, 2024
• Four subtle 'super habits' of mentally calm people

  One of the big lessons I learned after years and years of anxiety and personal insecurities was the power of habits.

  mental-health

  self

  Jan 18, 2024
• What I Tell Myself When Life is Beating Me Down...

  I'll be honest with you. I'm in my thirties and still feel like a beginner at life.

  mental-health

  self

  Jan 18, 2024
• Don't confuse things that make you uncomfortable with things you should avoid

  There's this interesting thing people do — often as they get older.

  self

  Jan 18, 2024
• You Will Be Unstoppable When You Allow Challenges to Energise You

  self

  Jan 17, 2024
• Seven fast and simple ways being a bit of a dick will change your life

  Has anyone ever called you a dick?

  self

  Jan 17, 2024
• If you can't be bothered, get a little closer...

  How to easily return to projects that brought you lots of resistance.

  productivity

  self

  Jan 16, 2024
• Four things to know if you want to use social media without being destroyed by it

  Social media can complement your life and work, or it can destroy you.

  self

  social-media

  Jan 16, 2024
• How to stop taking things personally so you experience less stress in life

  "If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid." — Epictetus

  self

  Jan 15, 2024
• Seven tiny steps that will reduce your anxiety by over 90% in 24 hours

  I've been to hell and back with anxiety.

  mental-health

  Jan 15, 2024
• 14 subtle habits for cultivating deep self-respect

  Many people seem to suffer when they don't get the respect they feel they deserve.

  self

  Jan 15, 2024
• Why your happiness doesn't rely on other people

  Do you know what our most significant source of ongoing hardship is?

  self

  Jan 14, 2024
• Why I spend three minutes every morning eating frogs (major productivity hack)

  Every morning I sit down and plan the day.

  productivity

  Jan 14, 2024
• How I Learned that We Are Already Confident by Default

  Knowing we are pure confidence, we needn't be swayed by our negative thoughts about who we are.

  self

  Jan 14, 2024
• Three mind exploration exercises more vivid than meditation

  Whether you think it's all mumbo woo-woo or not, many people, including myself, have seen their lives change by meditating.

  mindfulness

  self

  Jan 13, 2024
• How to turn an ordinary life into a lucky life

  You are hurting.

  mental-health

  self

  Jan 13, 2024
• You create everything.

  We create everything, 'good' and 'bad.'

  creativity

  Jan 12, 2024
• Nurture the art of non-reactivity to rediscover powerful self-confidence

  "To offer no resistance to life is to be in a state of grace, ease, and lightness. This state is then no longer dependent upon things being...

  self

  Jan 12, 2024
• This often ignored idea will multiply your will to succeed

  Of all the lofty goals people set for themselves year after year, how many of them do you think they reach?

  productivity

  self

  Jan 11, 2024
• What if you focused on giving instead of setting goals?

  Maybe many of us have been misdirected over setting goals.

  productivity

  self

  Jan 11, 2024
• Eleven short tips every introvert needs to keep close (encouraging)

  My experience growing up is shared by many introverts:

  mental-health

  self

  Jan 11, 2024
• How to make it easier to do the things you don't feel like doing

  You don't want to start.

  self

  Jan 10, 2024
• Follow your fascinations, and turn them into obsessions so you go further than most

  Life is too short to spend time away from the things that do not fascinate us.

  creativity

  self

  Jan 10, 2024
• How to let go of your past, so you can enjoy life

  Looking back over my past, I can see most of my problems stemmed from my inability to disconnect.

  self

  Jan 10, 2024
• Consistency is relentless and nightmarish, but you can adapt so you enjoy it and get what you want...

  Consistency has shown itself to be one of the most powerful components of success.

  self

  Jan 09, 2024
• Know these seven things if you're tired of feeling ashamed about your life choices

  Decades on this jolly little planet have shown me that I'm just not very conventional.

  self

  Jan 09, 2024
• Ten little actions that make you more confident than 95% of people

  By making small and simple changes, we can impact our self-perception and energise ourselves quickly.

  self

  Jan 09, 2024
• How to manage a painful loss

  The feeling of no longer having what you once had can range from frustration to a deep sense of grief.

  mental-health

  self

  Jan 08, 2024
• Nine strange life hacks that actually work

  Remember when you were labelled weird and dumb by the other kids at school?

  self

  Jan 08, 2024
• 17 unconventional ideas to make your 2024 freaking awesome

  self

  Jan 07, 2024
• Eight money-creation shortcuts that actually work

  They say there are no shortcuts in life.

  money

  Jan 07, 2024
• 12 subtle tricks to ensure you have more fun in the work week as a solopreneur

  Most of us are returning to a wall of work and self-expectations this week.

  productivity

  self

  work

  Jan 06, 2024
• Nine reasons we won't take ACTION (and how to make it EFFORTLESS)

  Medium has spoken: ACTION is everything.

  self

  Jan 06, 2024
• Eight simple daily habits that make you feel 8X better about yourself

  I know what it's like to feel uninspired and just plain icky.

  self

  Jan 05, 2024
• How to give less of a f*ck about what others think

  I've spent my whole life worrying too much about what others think.

  self

  Jan 05, 2024
• Five things life taught me that will get you in serious trouble

  38 years on the planet introduced me to some beautiful highs and staggering lows.

  self

  Jan 04, 2024
• Fifteen tiny ideas that quickly drain stress from your life

  Rates of stress are seemingly going up for large numbers of people at an alarming rate.

  self

  Jan 04, 2024
• Ten subtle behaviours that make people respect you less

  Years of awkwardness compelled me to want to learn about what attracts one another.

  self

  Jan 03, 2024
• People-pleasing will hurt you with tiny cuts. Do this instead...

  It took me most of my 36 years to realise I was operating on outdated software.

  self

  Jan 03, 2024
• Why I must fill my life with scary things

  What the hell am I doing?

  self

  Jan 03, 2024
• This habit helped me produce more original content while keeping me from burning out

  Many creative people struggle because they don't innovate and don't know how to keep things fresh.

  creativity

  Jan 02, 2024
• I'm tired of mediocre. Join me in going all the way (are you in?)

  I'm tired of mediocre.

  self

  Jan 02, 2024
• When you're not feeling the creative spark...

  There are those days when the fire inside only simmers.

  creativity

  Jan 01, 2024
• When I feel overwhelmed I do these three things

  You're overwhelmed.

  productivity

  Jan 01, 2024
• Ten small behaviour shifts that will raise your mood by 93% (I'm not kidding)

  Let's dive straight in...

  self

  Jan 01, 2024
• Eight reasons you'll be glad you started and grew your newsletter in the next ten years

  Over fourteen years ago, a bright orange book caught my eye in a London Waterstones bookshop.

  marketing

  Dec 31, 2023
• What I learned building an illustration design business from scratch in my twenties

  (*Author's note — I wrote this a few years ago, I'm now focused on writing and coaching)

  design

  Dec 31, 2023
• Do these six things in order when you feel rejected

  (6 steps to quickly feeling good about things again)

  self

  Dec 31, 2023
• Seven simple mistakes that ensure your relationship will fail

  Let's jump straight in...

  relationships

  Dec 30, 2023
• Cut out these seven habits if you're sick of feeling unsuccessful

  I know the feeling. We can often be our harshest critics.

  self

  Dec 29, 2023
• Seven unconventional forms of 'therapy' that will make you feel 10x more alive

  We live in a soft world where the slightest sign of discomfort can be regarded with concern and even panic.

  mental-health

  self

  Dec 29, 2023
• This is why other people make me suffer

  My life has featured a lot of unnecessary suffering.

  self

  Dec 29, 2023
• 10 things that are easy to set up that make life 10X better

  I've made many mistakes and 'wasted' large swathes of time experimenting.

  productivity

  self

  Dec 28, 2023
• How to end self-consciousness

  My name is Alex, and I'm a self-conscious wreck.

  self

  Dec 28, 2023
• Fourteen self-reflection questions to simplify your next 30 days (prepare to be surprised)

  Do you overcomplicate things?

  self

  Dec 27, 2023
• If you get stressed at work, you need to read this

  I speak to many guys who tell me they experience a lot of stress at work.

  work

  Dec 27, 2023
• 13 things you can do in the next hour to turn an OK day into an outstanding day

  Just because your day started poorly, doesn't mean you can't do something simple to turn the day around.

  productivity

  self

  Dec 26, 2023
• How to be more creatively productive without losing your soul

  Getting your creative work noticed, let alone gaining fans and followers can seem like a lost cause.

  creativity

  Dec 25, 2023
• How to find the easy way in a frustrating world

  I was speaking to a client friend whose mother recently received a new mac laptop upgrade.

  self

  Dec 24, 2023
• Absorbing these seven tips in three minutes will make you more confident than most people (this...

  Let's dive straight in shall we...

  self

  Dec 21, 2023
• The eight basic habits of the luckiest people

  The foundational habits that will attract more success into your life

  self

  Dec 21, 2023
• Five quick tips to greatly reduce the amount of drama you get from others

  When people talk about acquiring freedom in their lives, they often discuss material and logistical privileges like having enough money...

  self

  Dec 20, 2023
• These tough life lessons took me fourteen years to learn, but you can absorb them in two mins...

  This is an exercise in distilling all my big life lessons, those I still refer to today to help me. Let me show you what I've learned:

  self

  Dec 20, 2023
• The only thing stopping you is your thoughts

  I was talking to someone recently about the stress they were having.

  self

  Dec 19, 2023
• The six traits of people who are unapologetically themselves

  There is a constant force that slowly and subtly works against your individuality.

  self

  Dec 19, 2023
• The problem with society's obsession with more

  And why more can happen when you leave things alone.

  self

  Dec 19, 2023
• 15 subtle ideas that will make you happier than 96% of people

  If the header of this article got you annoyed, you might benefit from reading on.

  self

  Dec 18, 2023
• Change your story, change your life. Here's how...

  Do you want the absolute best for yourself?

  mental-health

  self

  Dec 18, 2023
• 17 sentences that will make you a more impactful online writer than 97% of writers

  After fifteen years of writing consistently online, I've learned there is no end point you reach where all your writing woes suddenly...

  writing

  Dec 17, 2023
• Ten subtle signs you are becoming more mentally resilient

  If I had to pinpoint a single skill that will serve you more than any other in the coming years, it's resilience.

  mental-health

  self

  Dec 17, 2023
• Why you must have a 'make the first move' mindset

  I've spent most of my life shy and reserved around others.

  self

  Dec 17, 2023
• How to get past the fact that most people are annoying as shit

  There is something in most people that annoys me.

  self

  Dec 16, 2023
• Nine Things I Would Tell My 17 Year-Old Self (at 30)

  Author's note — I wrote this at age 30 — I'm 39 now (wow!), but I decided to re-share this because it still holds true.

  self

  Dec 16, 2023
• How to Live with Purpose if You Don't Have a Clue

  How I stay focused every day

  self

  Dec 15, 2023
• Understanding this keeps you fearless around other people

  Self-esteem is an illusion.

  self

  Dec 15, 2023
• Nine illustrated Confucius quotes that will change your life

  Timeless wisdom to refresh and entertain:

  self

  Dec 14, 2023
• Why owning your losses will 10X your creativity

  One of the most common ways people hold themselves back creatively is by trying their best to look as impressive as possible.

  creativity

  Dec 14, 2023
• Nine subtle behaviours that make you a top 1% communicator

  I was not a good communicator for most of my life.

  self

  work

  Dec 14, 2023
• The questions I ask myself to turbo-charge my productivity

  I know what it's like to be appallingly scattered and distracted.

  productivity

  Dec 13, 2023
• When you want to do everything, do this

  A big struggle of mine has always been the need to do many different things.

  productivity

  Dec 13, 2023
• 14 sentences that will help you worry less than 99% of people

  Do you think you could ever stop worrying?

  mental-health

  self

  Dec 12, 2023
• Why taking things personally stops you enjoying your best life (and how to gain self-respect)

  "If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid." — Epictetus

  self

  Dec 12, 2023
• When you're overwhelmed...

  (A short read)

  poetry

  Dec 12, 2023
• 40 creative ways to get people to respond to you

  I hate having to stay in touch with people.

  marketing

  Dec 12, 2023
• Why writing fewer words will make your readers hungry for more

  When I look at some of my earlier writing, I notice how my paragraphs were often long-winded.

  writing

  Dec 11, 2023
• Four mindset fundamentals I use to feel energised and happy

  No matter who you are, or what your situation is, let's commit to this year being better than ever.

  self

  Dec 11, 2023
• How to actually do what you love and why that matters

  Making art for a living is hard.

  creativity

  self

  work

  Dec 11, 2023
• If you often feel bad about other people's success, you need to do these three things today

  You don't need to pretend you don't get frustrated, depressed or even enraged when seeing someone else succeed.

  self

  Dec 10, 2023
• Understanding how I am connected makes everything better

  It is very human to believe it's them and us

  self

  Dec 10, 2023
• A small change massively improved the engagement with my writing...

  If you ask the best writers what one thing improved their writing the most, many would tell you to simply write more.

  writing

  Dec 09, 2023
• Seven ways to start next year with an advantage 99% of people won't have

  Ready for the end of the year? None of us really are, but let's see how we can make the most of it...

  productivity

  self

  Dec 09, 2023
• Here's how to develop psychological immunity to the fear of rejection from others

  "Only you can take inner freedom away from yourself, or give it to yourself. Nobody else can." — Michael A. Singer

  self

  Dec 08, 2023
• Your most reliable teacher is making a mistake

  Failing feels icky.

  self

  Dec 08, 2023
• 17 secrets that give you an unfair edge over 98% of other creators

  (This is no joke)

  creativity

  self

  Dec 07, 2023
• Ten big money remote career alternatives to having a boss (that don't take years to build):

  You don't need a 'job' in the old-fashioned sense anymore.

  freelancing

  Dec 07, 2023
• Six curious little things you need to know if you want to master the art of clear thinking

  Is clear thinking even attainable?

  productivity

  self

  Dec 07, 2023
• If you want more engagement as a creator or artist, read this

  It is frustrating when few seem to care about our work.

  creativity

  Dec 07, 2023
• The subtle art of listening (and why you need this in your life)

  Take a moment when you can to observe people in discussion.

  relationships

  self

  Dec 06, 2023
• How seeing in four dimensions is the remedy to escapism

  As I write this, I am seeing four dimensions. It's pretty crazy.

  self

  Dec 06, 2023
• The nine habits of the most determined people

  (Read this if you want to stay energised over the long term)

  self

  Dec 06, 2023
• How to be unbelievably successful (in 392 words)

  What is 'success' anyway?

  self

  Dec 05, 2023
• How to transform awkward ambiguity into guidance that will put you ahead of the rest

  Starting anything is rarely easy.

  self

  work

  Dec 05, 2023
• Seven reasons I'm betting on Substack for my writing business

  I've been slowly falling in love with Substack.

  marketing

  Dec 05, 2023
• You can't outwork someone who is enjoying themselves

  With all the various hacks, tricks, formulas and clever solutions people come up with to make us more productive...

  creativity

  productivity

  Dec 04, 2023
• Ten ways I transformed my writing from boring to fresh

  How I transformed my writing and blew up my articles.

  writing

  Dec 04, 2023
• Losing our desire for things that do not matter

  Think for a moment right now about all the things in your life you wished were different.

  self

  Dec 04, 2023
• The subtle difference between being miserable, and being alive (short)

  When I am miserable...

  self

  Dec 03, 2023
• Society has ignored this one piece of ancient wisdom, but it could obliterate most mental health...

  People ask:

  mental-health

  self

  Dec 03, 2023
• Why you do NOT need to know your purpose

  Many times I have worried that I'm not doing work that answers a 'purpose.'

  self

  Dec 02, 2023
• Ten things I did to become calmer as I got older

  (Without taking pills or selling my soul to the devil)

  mental-health

  self

  Dec 02, 2023
• On being myself... (a short piece)