Hey there —

We tend to think about metrics as cold, hard facts. And because they’re “objective,” when they tell us a story about ourselves, we listen.

And that’s where things go off the rails.

Because studies have shown that we don’t just look at metrics and file them away in our brain. We let them shape our behavior—both when we create content, and when we react to what other people have created.

Here’s the honest truth:

If you’re a creator who’s obsessing over your analytics, it doesn’t actually matter how your content performs.

Sure, if you get a ton of views or new subs, you’re going to be flying high—for a bit. But when it comes time to create the next video, all you can think about is how you’re going to replicate that success.

And if it underperformed? Same thing. Now you feel even more pressure to upload something that will get you the views and subs you want.

(And it doesn’t matter what number you’re actually chasing—when you hit it, chances are high that you’re just going to move the goalpost even further. “Once I get X amount of views I’ll finally be happy.”)

And that’s why for the past couple of months Matt and the team at Slow Growth have been working away on a little tool to help you break the cycle.

Say hello to Goodbye Metrics.

With the flip of a switch, you can hide all the stats on your creator dashboard and escape the comparison trap (eyes on your own paper, please).

Block yourself from seeing stats on other YouTube creators’ channels and videos. Choose whether you want to hide a few—or all of them.

It’s time to stop obsessing over stats. Add the Goodbye Metrics Chrome Extension today and start creating videos for you again.

Your Elusive Creative Genius

Video | by Elizabeth Gilbert

When Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Eat, Pray, Love became a freakish success, you’d think Liz would have been over the moon.

And she was. For a bit. Until people started asking her, “Aren’t you scared? That, you know...you’re never going to write anything that’ll ever top that?”

Super reassuring.

When it comes to the creative process, anxiety is a nasty parasite that latches on from start to finish. You announce to the world you’re ready to create, but worrisome thoughts begin to sledgehammer into your fragile human psyche.

What if you’re burned by the sting of rejection? Laughed at by the masses? Ignored by everyone who you thought cared about your work?

Or worse — what if you actually do create something spectacular and you're crippled by the fear that you'll never create anything half as good ever again?

In this iconic Ted Talk, Liz Gilbert asks us to re-examine our relationship with creativity. Rather than seeing it as an innate trait, Liz sees creativity as a capricious and exquisite fairy who pays the occasional visit. If you’re ready to ditch the idea that creativity has to be a laborious, anxiety-inducing mess, this video is for you.

Watch the Ted Talk →

'Rewilding' Your Attention

Article | by Clive Thompson

Algorithms tend to push us down predictable paths.

It’s true, we'll enjoy the cat videos and memes (who doesn’t?). But we all have our own quirky tastes. And our newsfeeds aren't designed to serve us the idiosyncratic.

In his article, "Rewilding Your Attention," Clive Thompson suggests peeling away from the algorithmic feeds of Big Tech to stumble upon truly interesting ideas and oddball conversations.

As he puts it:

“The metaphor suggests precisely what to do: If you want to have wilder, curiouser thoughts, you have to avoid the industrial 'monocropping' of big-tech feeds. You want an intellectual forest, overgrown with mushrooms and towering weeds and a massive dead log where a family of raccoons has taken up residence.”

There is value in paying attention to offbeat things. They often lead us to uncanny discoveries, stimulate our imagination, and new unexpected friendships.

So, how can one begin “rewilding” their attention? We’d suggest picking up an old-fashioned book to see if anything catches your eye, checking out this map to find niche subreddits, or chatting to someone new.

Read the article →

This Monster Can’t Clean Her Inbox

Video | by College Humor

This parody sketch from College Humor about a woman who refuses to delete her emails might just be for laughs, but it does prod us to examine our obsession with the coveted “inbox-zero.”

As highlighted by this YouTube comment:

Sometimes our obsession with productivity can actually create more anxiety than it solves. The whole point of inbox zero is to clear your mind - not give all your mental energy to every rando on LinkedIn that makes it to your inbox!

Inbox perfection doesn’t exist. Get to inbox zero and it’ll last...30 seconds. If you're lucky.

Inbox 0 or 10,000 - whatever floats your boat, as long as you’re able to find what’s important and avoid distractions, your inbox looks great to us.

Watch the video → 

Sara Campbell

Drumroll please...🥁This week we’re featuring Sara Campbell, an L.A based brand strategist and writer of the newsletter Tiny Revolutions. In her writing, Sara explores mental health, Zen Buddhism, and practices that make us not just happier, but more self-actualized.

Introduce yourself! Who are you?

I’m Sara Campbell and I am a writer, brand strategist, and cake enthusiast living in Los Angeles.

Why do you create? Who is your content for?

I write Tiny Revolutions, a newsletter about becoming who you are. Rooted in my Zen practice, it’s for anyone who wants to be more awake, alive, and connected to the truth of their life — and to the world around them.

The biggest lesson you’ve learned since you began creating content?

Writing — or creating anything, really — is its own reward. This is always true, but in the early days especially, focusing on the results over the process is a sure route to misery.

One thing you wish you knew before you started?

It’s only through the act of creation that you learn and get better. Sometimes the lessons come quickly, and sometimes they take time. That’s not up to you, so all you can do is focus on the work and try to enjoy the ride.

In one to two sentences, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring creators or self-development nerds?

Find a way to get in the league with like-minded others who are doing similar work. Being a contributing member of a community is not only great for your mental health, it will also help you grow and evolve in deeper ways than you can do on your own.

Would you rather receive a one-off payment of $100,000 or a card that always has $25 on it?

The ease with which I answered this question ($100,000 all day!!!) made me wonder if there is something I’m missing about the $25 gift card. But maybe I’m just optimistic about using the 100K to ensure I am never lacking 25 extra bucks. ;)

Check out Sarah's Newsletter →

Written by Alice Lemée

Edited by Matt D'Avella & Shawn Forno