Welcome to Analog Action, the best channel on YouTube for getting things done with simple tools like pen and paper, a pencil, a whiteboard, and timers. You can even use sticky notes! Ask yourself: How often do you really go back through that endless list of to-dos stuck in your reminders or productivity app of choice? If you’re anything like me, too many of those to-dos get lost in the infinite archive of the internet.

But that’s not even the worst part. The worst part is the distraction. Even when I use those apps—and to be clear, I still do a little—I’m constantly bouncing from one task, one note, one notification to another. Even if I go into a productivity app with the full intention of doing something, it’s so easy to get distracted that I forget what I was looking for or doing in the first place. Pen and paper never do that to me, at least not in the same way.

Specifically, I really love using the bullet journal method. There are tons of different things you’re going to learn on this channel, and a lot of videos already exist for you to explore these practices. I also love tracking projects with sticky notes, seeing ideas come to life on a whiteboard, and even making actual physical note cards that become the building blocks of new content and things I’m going to bring to life on the internet. But everything starts with pen and paper. Everything starts analog before it becomes a digital asset.

Look, I’m not against using technology—I love technology! My career has been built on it. I also do a lot of work with my team using tools like Notion, ClickUp, Google Docs, and many more. But that’s after I’ve planned, organized, and listed everything on paper. By the time I use those digital tools, I already know what to do because I’ve written it down. These tools are just where the work gets done.

Subscribe to Analog Action and ring the bell for the best videos on YouTube about how to be productive, intentional, and focused with your work—just using a pen and paper.

On this channel, you’ll discover the beauty of analog tools and how they can simplify your workflow, allowing you to focus more and be less distracted. There’s something powerful about physically writing things down. It forces you to slow down and engage with your thoughts in a way that apps and digital tools simply don’t. Whether it’s jotting down a task list, brainstorming ideas, or planning a project, using a pen and paper helps you stay grounded and connected to what you’re doing.

One of the reasons I love analog methods like bullet journaling or whiteboards is that they make your progress visible. When you write something down and later cross it off, it feels satisfying in a way that checking a digital box never quite matches. Tracking tasks and goals this way helps you stay focused on the essentials without getting lost in the sea of digital noise.

Of course, as I’ve mentioned before, I still use technology—but only after I’ve done my initial planning on paper. Whether it’s collaborating with my team or managing large projects, tools like Notion and Google Docs are useful for execution, but they don’t replace the clarity I get from starting with an analog system. It’s this balance between analog and digital that helps me stay productive and organized, and that’s what I want to share with you here.

So, if you’re tired of getting lost in endless productivity apps and want a fresh, focused approach, this channel is for you. I’ll show you how to get more done with less distraction, using simple tools you probably already have lying around your home or office. Subscribe to Analog Action, hit the bell for notifications, and dive into a new way of working that’s intentional, grounded, and refreshingly simple. Let’s get back to basics and rediscover the power of analog productivity.

By embracing analog tools, you’ll find that your workflow becomes more intentional and less prone to the distractions that plague digital productivity methods. Analog systems like bullet journaling or simply jotting down tasks on sticky notes allow you to focus deeply on what matters, without the constant pull of notifications or the temptation to multitask. When you commit to writing things down, it forces you to prioritize your thoughts, and that process alone can bring greater clarity to your day.

One of the biggest advantages of analog tools is their simplicity. There’s no need for updates, no new features to learn, and no chance of accidentally closing out a tab and losing everything. With pen and paper, you have full control. It’s just you and your thoughts, and that kind of direct connection with your tasks can make all the difference when it comes to productivity.

For me, analog tools also foster creativity in a way digital tools can’t. When I map out ideas on a whiteboard or organize thoughts using physical note cards, I’m able to see the bigger picture more clearly. This tactile interaction sparks new connections and ideas that often get overlooked in digital formats. Plus, having everything visible in front of me makes it easier to focus on the big priorities rather than getting lost in the minutiae.

And here’s another benefit: using analog methods means you can fully disconnect. There’s no need for Wi-Fi or screen time, which helps create a more mindful and distraction-free environment. Whether it’s the act of writing down tomorrow’s tasks at the end of the day or sketching out a new project, analog tools help ground your productivity in the present moment.

That’s not to say you need to abandon technology altogether. As I’ve said, I still use digital tools, but only after I’ve mapped out my plan on paper. By doing this, I stay in control of my workflow and ensure that my digital tools serve my productivity, rather than becoming another distraction. The analog-first approach allows me to be deliberate about how and when I use technology.

If you’re ready to cut through the clutter, stop chasing the latest productivity apps, and get back to a simpler, more effective way of working, Analog Action is here to guide you. The tools are simple: a pen, a notebook, sticky notes, and maybe a timer. The results? A more focused, productive, and intentional approach to your work.

So, join me on this journey. Subscribe to the channel, hit that notification bell, and let’s explore how pen and paper can change the way you work. I promise, it’ll be a game-changer for your productivity.

How I Stay Focused for 10 Hours Every Day (NO BS GUIDE)

You may not know this about me, but I wasn’t always the person you see today. A year ago, I was a completely different person. Back then, I would work only one or two hours a day, and even then, my focus was all over the place. I was constantly distracted. Fast forward to now, and I’m working 10 hours a day, staying much more focused. I won’t claim I’m laser-focused all the time, but my productivity has significantly improved. The main question I get asked is, “Ahmed, how do you stay so motivated and build such a strong work ethic?” Well, let me share the big secret with you. And the secret is – there’s no secret.

The reason I’m working more hours than you are not because I have superior knowledge about productivity or that I know some secret strategies you don’t. Two years ago, I was consuming every productivity video I could find, yet I wasn’t getting the work done. What changed? Everything you need to be productive, everything required to build a strong work ethic, is already within you. You don’t need to search for some new trick. The key is to get back to basics. When I reflect on my progress, I realize that what makes me productive isn’t some complicated strategy. It comes down to just three things—things you’ve heard before. These aren’t new concepts, but they are the foundation for getting the work done.

So, when you watch this, you might think I’m not saying anything groundbreaking. That’s because there’s nothing new here! I follow these three simple principles every single day, and that’s how I work 10 hours a day, consistently. There’s no magic formula. It’s a decision you make in your mind: “I care about my goals, and I’m willing to put in the work to achieve them.” That’s the difference between those who succeed and those who don’t.

This whole journey of self-improvement became clear to me after years of journaling. I’ve been journaling since 2019, and I’ve documented every struggle and success in over 15 journals. When I looked back at these journals last year, I noticed something shocking. From 2019 to 2023, I was constantly struggling with the same issues: productivity, motivation, and discipline. For years, I had been writing down how I couldn’t stay consistent, how I wasn’t working hard enough, and how I needed to do better. I spent so much time searching for external solutions and new tactics that might fix my productivity problems. But none of them worked long-term.

Eventually, I realized the solution wasn’t some external hack—it was the decision to accept that building an extraordinary life requires extraordinary effort. If you want to achieve something great, you can’t live like everyone else. It takes hard work, discipline, and focus. Once I made that decision, everything changed. I shifted my identity and my lifestyle, committing to the work needed to reach my goals.

There’s no shortcut to success. You have to put in the time and effort consistently. For me, that meant making three key changes. First, every evening before bed, I plan my next day down to the smallest detail. When I wake up, I know exactly what tasks need to be done—no questions asked. I don’t waste time thinking about what I should do. I simply follow the plan. Second, I prioritize the first six hours of my day. Every successful person I know works hard in those early hours, focusing on the most important tasks without distractions. Third, I always set one major task, or MIT (Most Important Task), that I must complete before the day ends. No matter what happens, I don’t go to sleep until that task is done.

These three principles—planning your day, prioritizing your morning, and focusing on your MIT—are the key to my productivity. It’s not about finding the next big productivity hack or tactic. It’s about deciding that you’re willing to do the work required to live the life you want. If you’re not willing to live this lifestyle, then don’t call yourself ambitious, because you won’t become an outlier without the hard work.

If you want to live an extraordinary life, it requires reshaping your identity and embracing hard work. Put your head down for three years, stay consistent, and see what happens. You’ll be amazed by the results. Keep pushing forward, stay focused, and I’ll see you in the next video.

Reflecting on this journey, I realize that the turning point wasn’t some sudden revelation or external motivator. It was the moment I accepted that achieving an extraordinary life requires an extraordinary effort. This meant abandoning the idea that I could find some easy shortcut or hack to success. Instead, I embraced the discomfort that comes with consistent hard work. It’s not glamorous, but the truth is, most of the growth happens when you’re simply grinding day in and day out.

When I look back on my past struggles, I realize I spent years spinning my wheels, thinking I hadn’t made any progress. I was always chasing the next productivity trick, hoping that something external would magically change my habits. But the real change came when I stopped looking outward for solutions and started taking personal responsibility for my goals. I realized that if I wanted to build a life that was truly exceptional, I couldn’t be normal. I had to live and work in a way that set me apart from the average person.

This realization didn’t just happen overnight. It took years of trial and error and, quite frankly, failure. But through those failures, I learned that success isn’t about knowing more—it’s about doing more. It’s about consistently putting in the effort, even when you don’t feel like it. The people who succeed are the ones who show up every day, who follow through on their plans, and who don’t let distractions or temporary setbacks stop them.

I’ll be honest with you, it’s not easy. There are days when you’ll want to give up, when you’ll question whether all this hard work is worth it. But those are the moments that define you. When you push through the discomfort, when you keep grinding even when it feels impossible, that’s when real growth happens. It’s a process of reshaping your identity, of becoming the person who loves hard work and embraces the challenge.

And that’s the mindset you need to adopt. Stop chasing quick fixes and embrace the grind. Understand that success is the result of countless small decisions—showing up, doing the work, and staying focused. This lifestyle might feel uncomfortable at first, but over time, it will become part of who you are. You’ll start to see the results of your effort, and that will fuel your motivation to keep going.

So, my advice to you is simple: put your head down, commit to the work, and give it everything you’ve got for the next few years. Don’t look for shortcuts. Don’t wait for motivation to strike. Just take action day after day and watch as your life transforms. The journey won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

Remember, I’m here with you, cheering you on. I believe in you, and I know that if you put in the work, you’ll achieve incredible things. So go out there and make it happen. I love you; I support you, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes you. Keep crushing it, and I’ll see you in the next one.