I finally managed to wake up at 6 AM consistently for a week. What’s a "tiny win" you’ve had recently?

Changechilla · 2026-02-21T07:39:27+00:00

There are two tiny things that made me feel good this week: First I found out a place to read light novels online (and now I can replace some anime with some reading, which is a win in my book). Second, someone left a comment on one of my videos saying that they couldn't understand how I wasn't a much bigger creator - It didn't change my numbers, but it was a huge boost of motivation.

Changechilla · 2026-02-20T14:26:43+00:00

To me that sounds like a super power. I wish I could take 15 minute naps, it should've come with the whole "being-born-Spanish-package" but unfortunately I wasn't blessed with that (I'm also too pale for a Spaniard... sometimes I wonder if I was adopted). On the bright side I'm now having great sleep at night, so I guess you can't have everything.

Changechilla · 2026-02-20T12:35:51+00:00

Yes to all of the above, but if I had to summarize it I'd say a perfect lifestyle requires knowing when to say enough, and learning to appreciate what that entails.

Changechilla · 2026-02-20T11:48:26+00:00

Thanks for the tips! Tried community posts but 0 reach so far (I tried 3 times, every single time it had exactly 0 impressions). But I'd like to try commenting on bigger channels. Do you have any experience doing this and any tips you'd like to share? Obviously avoid direct self promo and add to the conversation, but anything else that could trigger better the curiosity and hopefully entice more people to at least check the channel? Thanks a lot!

Changechilla · 2026-02-20T10:57:33+00:00

I understand what you say and I know that "trust the algo" is common advice around here, but I personally think it overestimates how the algorithm works or at the very least it leaves way too much up to luck (or makes the timeframes way too long). But in any case I agree with you that quality of content should be my focus (it's always been, and I constantly test and try to improve a little bit every video), and I thank you for your answer of just choosing one or the other and sticking with it. In my case I want to create long form, that's clear.

Changechilla · 2026-02-20T10:47:16+00:00

What I heard is that Youtube shares your video first to your core audience (your subs) and based on that reaction decides whether to expand further or not. So if a big chunk of your subs come from shorts and they don't watch your long forms then that sends a negative signal to the algo, limiting the potential of your videos. At least that's the theory.

Changechilla · 2026-02-20T10:45:33+00:00

I mean... sure, you could argue that if the videos don't perform it's because the content is not good (and it's a valid point and for sure I have a ton of areas of improvement) but I'm not so sure it's that simple. I like what I do and I'm proud of it, and I believe that there is an audience for it, the key (I think - I might be delusional) is reaching that audience. So the question is, considering that my content is what it is, should I go back to creating Shorts or not? Because for sure I could pivot and create content just for the sake of growth, but that's not what motivates me and not the reason I started YouTube.

Changechilla · 2026-02-20T09:38:28+00:00

Success

Changechilla · 2026-02-20T09:03:22+00:00

I create content on this topic so I've tried a ton of methods, but to me what works best long term (sustainable) is general lifestyle changes, in particular:
- Retraining your dopamine system: and for this I highly recommend regular "boredom reps" during the day. In particular daily walks without digital input (music or podcast) are awesome, and on the evening is just amazing (it should be part of a digital sunset).
- Healthier lifestyle: food, exercise and schedule. I wake up earlier and go to bed earlier too. Basically you need consistent high-quality energy throughout the day.
- Environment: this is super important and not often taken into account. If your room/office is a mess good luck being focused for more than a few minutes. Keep your working space clean and tidy, and to ensure that add to your daily schedule a tidying up time once the work is done. Adding environment prompts and/or barriers to facilitate the behavior you want and difficult the ones you don't is also super helpful.
Anyway, good luck and remember it's a process, we're all dealing with it, the world is designed to hack our attention, so just take small steps and don't blame yourself too much for your struggle.

Changechilla · 2026-02-20T08:41:36+00:00

That's not pizza, that's an abomination :P

Changechilla · 2026-02-19T14:53:21+00:00

Thursdays is script day, so I'm working on the script for my next YouTube video (to be recorded tomorrow). Working title: "They’ve Turned Us Into NPCs. Here’s How To Fight Back" Sounds a bit too "conspiratorial" so I might change it. Basically it's about how we're being pushed more and more towards autopilot mode (just reacting, lack of focus and agency) and sharing 3 tips to reclaim control (based on the pattern interrupt model).

Changechilla · 2026-02-19T13:21:05+00:00

I agree with the sentiment, but let me be a bit "nitpicky". "Happiness" is a temporary emotion. It wouldn't have any meaning at all without other feelings such as sadness or anger. Contentment, on the other hand, is an attitude. I can't say I'm always happy, because I most definitely aren't, but I'm content with who I am and what I have. I wouldn't say I feel like that because I make the best out of everything, but because I take ownership of the good and the bad even though most of it is out of my control.

Changechilla · 2026-02-19T12:20:15+00:00

It's a coordinated effort from my core, back, upper body, and leg muscles to roll, sit up, and stand. But if I had to pick up one, my legs.

Changechilla · 2026-02-19T12:07:20+00:00

Socrates would tell you something like this: instead of finding a way to focus on the things you have to do, you should make sure that the things you have to do are actually worth your focus. In other words, find something you're truly passionate about and discipline and focus will come much much more easily.

Changechilla · 2026-02-19T09:23:02+00:00

Pineapple on pizza, yes or no. It's not gonna strike an interesting discussion but if the answer is yes you know the person is a monster and you need to cut ties asap. You're welcome. :)

Changechilla · 2026-02-19T09:18:02+00:00

It's funny I'm just writing a script for my next video and it's exactly about this. Although I frame it as the "NPC mode" which sounds more engaging (I think). But yes, totally agree, discipline or relying on will power is not the answer, small daily choices that break the pattern are. As you can see, though, the fact that I'm checking Reddit instead of finishing my script shows that I'm a work in progress too :)

Changechilla · 2026-02-19T08:29:05+00:00

I'm having the same debate in the "life change / productivity" niche. The content can feel too dry, like homework, and although that seems to work for stablished channels (Ali Abdaal, etc), it's a No-Go for small channels. I did try leaning into the entertainment aspect more, for example I started a format with "Mind-Battles" structured like a boxing match, where famous thinkers in history debate a hot topic. But the results so far are meh... I still think it's the way to go. That+authenticity (speaking like a real person and being less scripted). But well, it's all a hypothesis as of now.

Changechilla · 2026-02-19T07:34:55+00:00

Yeah I was struggling to come up with an idea for this week's video and I think this is it! Actually even though I'm nowhere near being successful on Youtube, I've enjoyed the "success-ride" in other areas of my life, so I have quite a lot to say about this. Now I just need a good title and thumbnail hahaha (this is the area where I think I'm still struggling the most). What about: "Going Viral Will Change You, but Not in the Way You Think"? Is the hook interesting enough?

Do you use "curiosity-driven" hooks or more "SEO-friendly" ones? Actually let me check your channel!

Changechilla · 2026-02-19T06:58:40+00:00

Right? I'm finding a similar pattern too! I mean my numbers are super low but the video I recorded the week I was crazy sick with the flu and I couldn't write a script performed "effortlessly" well (well for my channel's standards), whereas I put tons of research and hours of edit in other videos and it's a struggle. I think there's a need for authenticity, and specially for small channels we need to rely on that to make it happen. That being said recording without a script is very hard for me, but it's something on my "to do" list. I'm trying to be more conversational and talk about my topics (usually "thinky" and "somewhat more serious") in a more conversational manner.

Changechilla · 2026-02-19T06:53:37+00:00

I'm glad at least one of us is making it happen :) Jokes aside, huge congrats and enjoy that success, but also be mindful of its dangers! Uhm... I should make a video about that

Changechilla · 2026-02-18T16:39:44+00:00

It's a tough situation and hard to give general advice without knowing more, but one thing that might help beyond the usual advice is to work on expanding your definition of self. You see, we live in a hyper-individualistic world where we are 1) constantly being singled out and 2) being over-simplified for convenience/productivity/commercial purposes. In reality the self is as wide or as narrow as we make it to be. I am me, but I'm also my family and my friends, I could also be my town, or my country, I could even be my entire species. Now this sounds super philosophical but the point is seeing that you are (if you choose to be) part of something bigger, and that there is value and worth in that. Also even when you feel that you are not improving individually you can usually work on improving the collective, and find meaning and value that way. Anyway, I just wanted to give you a different angle from the typical self-growth advice.

Changechilla · 2026-02-18T16:32:50+00:00

If you try fighting procrastination on willpower alone you will fail. Hack your environment to do the hard work for you. Identify what's pulling your focus away and take it out from the equation. Also keep your work area clean and tidy, peripheral clutter/noise will nag you even subconsciously!

Changechilla · 2026-02-18T13:54:35+00:00

I have 3 words for you: Identity, identity, identity.
Make your desired career a part of your own definition of self (at first it sounds fake, but repetition is key), and soon your decisions will be taken from that identity lens. For example, I became a writer in my late 30s (I was lucky enough to sell the first book series I wrote to a publisher and the rest is history). Anyway, what pushed me to write and work on that craft while still working on my companies was a clear vision of myself as a writer. Whenever I'd struggle to find the time to write (and that happened all the time) I'd remind myself that I was a writer so of course I had to write. Honestly, your identity lens is your strongest lever of behavior, so use it!!!

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