Daniel Abudu | Thoughts, books, games

My videoNov 11, 2026

Stop Planning Your Time Like a Robot

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

Worth a watchNov 11, 2026

Rick Rubin: The Only Skill That Matters Now Is The One Thing AI Can Never Steal!

The Diary Of A CEO · YouTube

Like someone said in the comments this feels like the left side and right side of my brain are having a discussion. Steven feels like the part of my brain that usually wins the discussion. Rick feels like the part that keeps refusing to be explained by rationality 🤣

My videoNov 10, 2026

You Need to Rebrand Yourself (To Yourself)

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

My videoNov 9, 2026

When you don't know what to do, build capacity.

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

My videoNov 8, 2026

nothing wrong with ENJOYING the mid

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

A thoughtNov 8, 2026

Remember to Be Inspired

Posting every day on YouTube has its advantages. You are no longer your limiting factor because you *have to* repeatedly publish videos that aren't done or perfect. You have to make unrefined ideas work. You have to *come up* with ideas. You have to work around time constraints. You have to work around hardware limitations. It reminds me of back in school and after graduating, where I squeezed out every single value I could get out of my laptop at the time. The creativity you need in those moments is something that's valuable in any level. We just forget about it.

My videoNov 7, 2026

You have time to read. You just don't know it yet.

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

My videoNov 6, 2026

"Just start” is bad advice (after a while)

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

My videoNov 5, 2026

it’s all a skill issue.

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

On the bookshelfNov 5, 2026

Cover of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods

Finished Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods

Rick Riordan

I'm happy I checked out reviews before checking this out. It help set expectations as just a fun time with characters we love. Also happy I stuck with the audiobook. That being said, I'm not sure why they made this the "6th book" in the main series. it reads more like a side quest. I also don't think I'm going to follow the remaining stories at this time. I'd probably be happier reading the old books I know. This reads as an entry point for the kids, which makes sense but also means I'm not the target audience unless I just want to spend a little fun time with some of my favourite characters.

My videoNov 4, 2026

why you're losing your friends (it's not what you think)

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

On the bookshelfNov 4, 2026

Started Sunrise on the Reaping

Suzanne Collins

Another curiosity i'm following. It was either this or Song of Achilles and i decided I preferred the vibe of this currently. Just audiobook this time. They keep my book habit alive when when my schedule struggles to give me time to read. The reviews of this are good so I'm hoping to have a great experience.

A thoughtNov 3, 2026

A blue paperback copy of Super Thinking by Gabriel Weinberg and Lauren McCann, with yellow and red lettering, resting on its packaging.

Note

Newest addition to my physical collection

No idea when i'll start reading this one. I already started the audiobook months back but other things got in the way. I hope I can find time because I want to learn more mental models

My videoNov 3, 2026

treat yourself like a lab rat

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

On the bookshelfNov 2, 2026

Started Dream Count

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Wanted to get this for a while but couldn't justify the purchase of the physical book (I also don't like the cover of the one available here, yeah I like pretty book covers) but i took the plunge and decided to start. I'm also using the audiobook as well and I think it makes for a pleasant experience. it's a chunky book and I have no idea when I'll finish it but in a way, that's sort of a good thing.

My videoNov 2, 2026

Your Year Didn't Fail (You're Just Waiting for a Date)

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

My videoNov 1, 2026

Why Creativity Needs Limits

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

Through my lensNov 1, 2026

A bookstore, and a few books to leave with

Went in knowing I'd leave with a few books. The smell, the vibe, all of it. It was like a mini heaven.

On repeatNov 1, 2026

Week of 26 Oct

23 plays this week.

My videoOct 31, 2026

Opportunity doesn't only come once.

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

A thoughtOct 31, 2026

Cringe Is Only for Rich People.

At least, that's what i'm trying to burn into my head.

My videoOct 30, 2026

Nobody died. You're still allowed to grieve.

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

My videoOct 29, 2026

Getting smarter is easy, actually.

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

My videoOct 28, 2026

You can't find your voice if you don't use it

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

On repeatOct 25, 2026

Week of 19 Oct

39 plays this week.

A thoughtOct 24, 2026

Here's to a New Experiment.

This year, being a beginner has been an interesting experience. Not an easy one, but a necessary one.

My videoOct 21, 2026

Your first attempt is supposed to be bad

Daniel Abudu · YouTube

Pressing playOct 20, 2026

Finished Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Couldn't have asked for a better game to replay to help with my french practice. This game is art and it deserves all accolades it got.

On the bookshelfOct 18, 2026

Started Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods

Rick Riordan

In the name of following my curiosity, I was checking the website of a book store and saw this. Talked myself out of buying the physical book but went to Audible to get the audiobook instead. Seems like a fun time to spend with characters I love with no high stakes. It would also be useful for French because i could just jump to the french version immediately after.

Worth a watchOct 18, 2026

Start With What You Have

Salem King · YouTube Shorts

"First decide that it can be done and then your mind will start to work to figure out a way to make it happen." I can relate to that. I've seen it happen in my life several times. I don't always imbibe that idea but these days I've gotten more and more consistent to snapping into that mindset when things feel pointless or necessarily difficult. it usually summarises to some variation of "there has to be a way" "Max out the utility of everything that is within your reach." is something I also can relate to it in some way. For example, a device starts acting up. You use it to its limit before you get another one. That mindset really lets you be creative. (sometimes, you actually don't have a choice). But I want to start focusing more of the "max out" and "everything". There are other opportunities in my life to explore that idea and I guess in a way, it's connected to building capacity. I've been articulating "capacity" more as expanding to be able to do more but an underlying thought I've had underneath that, which also demands its own articulation, is knowing that you truly are hitting the limit of what you can handle at this time and then you expand. Sometimes, "building capacity" is not adding anything to your life but being more creative and optimised with how you do things. Maybe even subtracting.

A thoughtOct 18, 2026

Note

Collect books, even if you don’t plan on reading them right away.

A photographed book page that reads: Always be reading. Go to the library. There’s magic in being surrounded by books. Get lost in the stacks. Read bibliographies. It’s not the book you start with, it’s the book that book leads you to. Collect books, even if you don’t plan on reading them right away. Nothing is more important than an unread library. Don’t worry about doing research. Just search.

On repeatOct 18, 2026

Week of 12 Oct

114 plays this week.

A thoughtOct 17, 2026

I want to start trying using books as references rather than rushing to finish each one.

I like reading books but I’m sometimes more obsessed with finishing them than fully absorbing them. I’ve read so many books with life changing “wisdom” in them, feel inspired, in some cases maybe move some things around in my life, but as time passes the lessons tend to fade from memory.

A thoughtOct 17, 2026

Note

My Physical Book Collection Is All of Two

Got another one yesterday. Now my physical book collection is all of two. lol. Need to be sure I'm not developing some sort of problem. 💀 But these books in particular feel like they're buying art and it's more than just a book. They're kind of like visual reminders of lessons you need to keep. I must admit that I have three more books on the way and i still don't know how I'll store them, but here's to giving yourself permission to do things you want and make you feel good. I've wanted to start getting physical books, now I'm letting myself do that. The semantics can come later lol.

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon, a black paperback with white hand-lettered title, lying on a purple polka-dot bedspread.

On the bookshelfOct 16, 2026

Cover of Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Started Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

Austin Kleon

On the bookshelfOct 16, 2026

Cover of Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered

Started Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered

Austin Kleon

A thoughtOct 16, 2026

Note

One of the things I've wanted for a long time is to have a shelf of physical books. I just never felt settled enough to start collecting. I still don't. But this feels like a good opportunity to start experimenting. It feels really good. Didn't know I missed the new book smell. It also feels like an art book. Like the book itself is art. Got inspired to buy it after watching this reel from Salem King. Ironically, the books I actually wanted to buy to kickstart this physical book journey weren't available and this was more of an add on.

It's definitely not the first time I've read it but now I think I need a refresher of the lessons in this book for where I'm at in life currently. And I may need to go back to it over and over again to either let some things sink in or be constantly reminded of them.

A thoughtOct 14, 2026

Note

The Infinite Game

Infinite game: a game or activity where the primary objective is not to win, but to keep playing and perpetuate the game itself. i.e. you give up, you lose.

My first memory of the idea was from Alex Hormozi and I was reminded of it again today on another video. I think it's a great concept and mental model because if everything worth doing to you is treated like an infinite game, then there are no unrealistic standards or goals, no real failure and no opponent to beat. Just to keep playing the game indefinitely. Matches well with an idea in Atomic habits where you want to create a habit, you change who you are. If you're playing that game, then you'd do it long enough to pass through all the obstacles you need to get to to hit your goals.

Worth a watchOct 14, 2026

Steven Bartlett On Why He Picks His Own Guests On ‘The Diary Of A CEO’, Work-Life Balance + More

Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM · YouTube

He said "Just extending the time horizon of your goals is like magic because it means you make better decisions today and those decisions result in different outcomes". I already think like this in some sort of way. Some of the new things I've started recently have the time horizon of "indefinitely" and it automatically shifts from going as big as I can to "if I had to do this every single day/week/month for an indefinite period of time, what would I prioritise?". So whenever that itch comes to go crazy, I eventually pull myself back to "long game" and "sustainable".

A thoughtOct 12, 2026

Note

Not Picking Up My Phone First Thing in the Morning

Started deliberately trying to not pick my phone up first thing in the morning and honestly I want to make a habit out of it. There’s just something about having a clear head around 4 or 5 am in the morning where everywhere is quiet and it’s just you and your thoughts. It doesn’t have to be hours but 15-30 minutes to at least “boot”.

Suddenly ideas for problems you’ve been trying to solve start popping up.

On repeatOct 11, 2026

Week of 5 Oct

47 plays this week.

A thoughtOct 11, 2026

I've Been Thinking a Lot About Capacity Lately.

"When you don't know what to do, build capacity" - Alex Hormozi. Usually we are searching for this great idea, the right business to start, the right product to create, the best skills to learn, etc. We use it to procrastinate.

On the bookshelfOct 9, 2026

Cover of Percy Jackson — La Mer des monstres

Started Percy Jackson — La Mer des monstres

Rick Riordan

On the bookshelfOct 9, 2026

Cover of Percy Jackson — Le Voleur de foudre

Finished Percy Jackson — Le Voleur de foudre

Rick Riordan

Worth a watchOct 9, 2026

John Cena: Run Out of Hollywood

Trevor Noah · YouTube

The chair they're talking to seems to be an interesting individual. Lol. But in all seriousness, I don't think I ever thought I would relate to John Cena. Closer to the end of the video they talk about the road less travelled and how he talks about it sounds like me. When I stick to what I actually want to do, I usually find myself in the road less travelled. It feels hard and lonely but usually ends up feeling rewarding.

Worth a watchOct 8, 2026

How Lagos Life Beat ChatGPT to 1 Million Users (in 3 Days)

Fisayo Fosudo · YouTube

Been thinking a lot about building capacity lately and this video is a clear example of preparation meeting opportunity.

Pressing playSep 27, 2026

Started Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (again)

I'm not used to replaying games I've finished but I'm having a good time.

still amazing

A thoughtSep 27, 2026

The Friction Before Doing the Thing Tends to Be a Facade

I don't know how normal this is but I learned some time ago about myself that when I have this strong aversion to trying something, it doesn't really signal anything of importance. I don't necessarily mean a strong intuition against something fishy or sketchy. I mean something like trying a movie, an experience, something new and/or different that I just don't feel like doing. It may even be a gig or an opportunity. Sometimes, there is genuinely something off about it. In those moments, when I ignore myself, i tend to regret it in some way. But in the moments where I can't pinpoint anything and just have this strong resistance to do something, it's usually a poor indicator of how that thing will actually be or feel. And usually, when I muster the strength to push past that specific feeling, I realise it was a lie.

Pressing playSep 18, 2026

Finished Marvel's Wolverine

Not high replay value but I had fun regardless.

Pressing playSep 15, 2026

Started Marvel's Wolverine

I heard the reviews but honestly, right now I don't care.

A thoughtAug 30, 2026

It’s a Good Time to Reiterate That Sometimes, Naivety Is Good

The other day, I was watching a video explaining a comic book storyline where the ideals of an older person clashed with that of a younger one. It was an alternate Spider-man reality in a very corrupt world and a young Peter Parker having so much rage about the injustice of the world and having very simple politics.

A thoughtAug 23, 2026

Waking Up Early Gave Me More Time

It's funny how you learn lessons then slowly move in another direction and have to come back to the lesson you learned. As a morning person, it's not news that I'm at my most productive before noon and for me in particular, I start getting diminishing returns after 2-3pm. I can be productive even till night but it's not me at my best. But over the past year or less, my wake up time became more and more late.

A thoughtAug 9, 2026

It Never Ends, Does It?

I was on a call with my dad the other day and he asked how I was doing. I said as a fact, and not necessarily to complain, that I was always tired. He said that it's because my responsibilities are more now and "I hope you know it will still increase."

A thoughtAug 2, 2026

Spider-Man: Brand New Day Was Written for Me (No Spoilers)

No spoilers, don't worry.

On the bookshelfApr 13, 2026

Started Percy Jackson — Le Voleur de foudre

Rick Riordan

A thoughtApr 4, 2026

Discovering the Hype About Sports as an Adult.

My childhood was very unorthodox in many ways but normal in many ways. One of the things that seemed out of the ordinary was that I didn't grow up watching football. When I was younger, I thought it was a nature thing. That I just didn't care about sports. But over time, it clicked that it was a nurture thing. And now, several years later, I've gotten older and gotten more exposed to things like movies about sports, documentaries, games, and even trying one or two for the sake of exercise, I'm even more convinced that the difference between me caring about Ronaldo vs. Messi and me not giving a fuck is because no one cared in the house I grew up in.

A thoughtJan 9, 2026

Optimism Is Rational.

I haven’t been the most optimistic person you've ever met. In fact, for a portion of my life I was a pessimist. I remember my parents asking why I was always frowning and my response would be "why should I smile?" Pessimists like to think of themselves as “realists”, but in reality, their view of the world is so dark that what is “real” is just “everything ends up in a bad place”. I understand this view. I’m not the best believer in the world and in the human race. People say there is good in humanity. I say there is both good and bad with many incentives to be bad.

On the bookshelfJan 8, 2026