Disclaimer: This article was drafted from Ali Abdaal’s video for educational purposes.
As a full-time doctor with a dynamic online presence, balancing life-saving duties with my passion for content creation is a feat that fascinates many. The key lies in productivity and a streamlined creative workflow.
Using Notion as a cornerstone for this process has revolutionized the way I manage the ideation and production of my YouTube videos, podcasts, and various online content. This system has made it possible to produce quality content consistently every week without the dread of starting from scratch.
I rely on three fundamental features in Notion to maintain such efficiency: Kanban boards, templates, and linked databases.
These tools not only keep my project flow smooth but also provide an adaptable structure for managing different content types, thereby directly enhancing my team's productivity.
This structured approach ensures that every content idea is captured, developed, and refined from conception to publication with ease.
If you're looking for templates for your day-to-day activities, you should check our template gallery for free and premium templates. And specifically check out LifeSync OS, our premium planner.
In managing my myriad professional and creative ventures, efficiency plays a crucial part. Let's consider the innovation I brought into my content creation process.
Previously, my thoughts for videos might be jotted down sporadically—on my phone, in Evernote, or within a notebook. Ideas would strike me at unpredictable times, often lost as quickly as they came. The transition to employing a digital organization tool transformed everything.
Now, with a structured digital system, I can consistently publish two to three videos weekly while upholding quality.
For creators looking to optimize their workflow, I've found several features particularly useful.
Breaking down my workflow, it initiates with a list of potential content pieces labeled as either 'no status' or as 'ideas.' With nearly a hundred ideas captured, my pipeline is never empty, and we don't face the anxiety of starting from zero each week.
Once a piece enters the "writing in progress" stage, it proceeds to a "script ready for review," which I tweak for authenticity in voice before filming.
Post-filming, it's forwarded to editing and then marked 'ready for publication.'
Employing linked databases is valuable in managing timely content, such as sponsored videos, providing clear visibility on upcoming work. It affirms deadline adherence without hindering the spur of spontaneity in my creative content.
To enhance content quality, I adapted and simplified the concept of templates from other seasoned content creators, tailoring it to my team's and my workflow.
Many of you ask how I manage to juggle a full-time medical career with creating content for YouTube, a podcast, and running side businesses. Managing productivity is one aspect, but today, I'm excited to share with you the structured creative process I've honed using the productivity tool Notion.
Adopting Notion has revolutionized the way I organize and produce content, enabling me to consistently release quality videos and podcast episodes.
Key Features in My Creative Arsenal
There are three main features within Notion that have become central to my workflow:
Content Journey in My System
Here's how a content piece progresses:
This systematic approach allows me and my team to work seamlessly and avoid the daunting blank slate scenario.
The use of a Kanban system is not only valuable for video creation but extends to blog posts, newsletters, and more.
Utilizing Linked Databases for Planning
To demonstrate the power of linked databases in Notion, let's take a glimpse into upcoming sponsored video deadlines.
This relational feature of Notion enables me to connect my sponsored video schedule database with the main video database, allowing for a fluid update across the system and clear visibility of timeliness in a calendar view.
Streamlining through Templates
Borrowing inspiration from my colleague, Thomas Frank, I've adapted and simplified the way we use templates to create content within Notion, customizing it to fit our team's workflow.
The template feature has been instrumental in maintaining the quality and improving the overall content creation process.
If you're looking for templates for your day-to-day activities, you should check our template gallery for free and premium templates. And specifically check out LifeSync OS, our premium planner.
I manage a busy life as a full-time doctor alongside maintaining a YouTube channel, podcast, and several business ventures thanks to a robust creative system complemented by the application Notion, which has revolutionized my organizational approach.
Prior to integrating Notion, my video ideas were scattered across various mediums, but with this tool, I have honed a structured method for producing several high-quality videos each week.
Organization Within Notion:
Key Features:
By utilizing Notion's features, I have cultivated a workflow that not only structures my video production process but also ensures a reserve of ideas so my team and I are never in a position of uncertainty on what to create next.
Even for those not involved in YouTube, these insights into my creative system can inform and streamline any project management or written work.
In the realm of content creation, the journey begins with raw, unpolished ideas which are progressively refined as they move along the creation pipeline.
I utilize a system to manage these embryonic ideas which typically start off in a category known as "no status" or simply "ideas." At present, this category houses around 100 video concepts. Whenever inspiration strikes—whether it's during a shower or while driving—I immediately input the idea into Notion, which acts as the central hub for my creative process.
Once an idea is fleshed out and the development phase kicks off, it transitions into the "writing in progress" phase. Illustratively, there are eight projects in this phase right now, including an explainer on how I use Notion, dated July 7th.
When the script is completed and ready for review, it shifts into another phase where I personally refine the language to align with my on-camera delivery style. After editing, the script is ready to be filmed.
I select from this assortment of scripts to determine which video will be produced next. Post-filming, the project moves into the "with editor" phase for further revision and refinement until it's finally listed as "ready for publication."
An idea that originated without status then morphs through various stages until it emerges as a polished, published video.
A distinct advantage of having a structured workflow is the ability to track the progress of various projects through linked databases.
For instance, maintaining a schedule for sponsored videos is crucial, as these often come with fixed deadlines.
Notion enables the creation of interconnected databases that reflect the status of these videos. This relational feature in Notion is particularly powerful, allowing for dynamic updates across linked databases.
When navigating my video database, I can shift the view to a calendar layout to get an overview of upcoming content, including which pieces are sponsored.
Having multiple views available aids in managing deadlines and maintaining an overall understanding of the pipeline. The "everything view" I sometimes consult displays all video ideas, allowing for effortless addition of new concepts into the workflow.
Managing a YouTube channel alongside other commitments requires an organized approach to content creation. I incorporate a systematic process yielding two to three videos weekly without starting from zero each time.
Ideas never get lost now; they're immediately entered into the system, forming a pipeline which includes statuses like 'No Status,' 'Idea,' 'Writing in Progress,' and 'Ready to Film.' The process is designed to keep a continuous flow of content, ensuring there's always something ready for the next stage.
Status
Video Count
No Status
49
Idea
47
Writing in Progress
8
Ready to Film
Not Specified
Adopting templates has significantly transformed my video production workflow.
Initially inspired by my colleague, Thomas Frank, I've modified the template concept to best serve my needs, ensuring simplicity and functionality.
The integration of a refined creative process with tools like Kanban boards and templates not only boosts my individual productivity but assists in scaling up the creation of diverse content—from videos to blog posts and newsletters.
If you're looking for templates for your day-to-day activities, you should check our template gallery for free and premium templates. And specifically check out LifeSync OS, our premium planner.
To keep my sponsored video releases on track, specifically slated for release on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I employ a meticulous scheduling system.
This schedule maintains a consistent flow and allows me to meet deadlines without fail. For a glimpse into upcoming content, the schedule until September, for instance, includes a sponsored piece by Notion airing on the 7th of July.
Upcoming Sponsored Videos:
- [x] Notion - July 7th
- [ ] Curiosity Stream - TBA
Interlinking my video planning with calendar views is instrumental in visualizing my schedule. It's particularly useful for distinguishing sponsored content from regular videos.
This efficient integration simplifies tracking progress and ensures punctual completion of deliverables. By toggling to calendar view, I can see at a glance which projects are approaching their deadlines and plan accordingly.
Calendar View:
- Mon | Tues | Wed | Thurs | Fri | Sat | Sun
- | Video Idea 1 | | Video Idea 2 | | |
I've harnessed the power of linked databases to forge connections across multiple projects. This system interrelates the sponsored video schedule with the broader video database.
For instance, changing a video status to 'Ready to Film' immediately updates the record in the linked sponsored schedule.
Video Status Update Flow:
1. Idea Stage
2. Writing in Progress
3. Script Ready for Review
4. Ready to Film
5. Filmed
6. With Editor
7. Ready for Publication
8. Published
I have found that implementing a well-structured creative process significantly enhances productivity and output consistency. This is particularly true when you're juggling multiple projects like YouTube videos, podcasts, and newsletters.
Defining clear stages for content creation has been a game-changer for my team and me. It enables us to produce several videos weekly without starting from scratch each time.
Efficient Idea Management: Initially, my ideas were scattered—saved in different apps and occasionally forgotten. Now, every idea is promptly recorded and categorized within a digital system, ensuring no creative spark is lost.
Progress Tracking with Kanban: By adopting Kanban boards, I visibly track content from conception to publication.
With labeled columns like 'No Status,' 'Ideas,' 'Writing in Progress,' and 'Ready to Film,' progress is clear at a glance.
Smoother Team Collaboration: Once a script is ready, I edit it to fit my speaking style, making the message authentic. The team then knows exactly which videos are prepared for filming.
Post-Production Workflow: After filming, the content moves through stages like 'Filmed,' 'With Editor,' and 'Ready for Publication.'
These stages maintain a steady flow towards the final 'Published' status.
Deadline Management: I prioritize sponsored content using linked databases to keep track of those with specific deadlines, while non-sponsored content is more flexible.
Template Utilization: Templates streamline the video-making process, allowing for consistency and quality.
Inspired by others, I've adapted a template model that aligns with our workflow's simplicity requirements.
Avoiding the Blank Page Syndrome: A robust note-taking and idea collection method saves us from the daunting task of starting from an empty page, which is crucial for maintaining writing momentum.
Managing a myriad of tasks efficiently is crucial, whether you're a content creator like me or engaged in any profession that demands juggling multiple projects.
My approach encompasses meticulous productivity, time management, and environment design.
It is primarily anchored in the use of Notion, a versatile application that has revolutionized the way I organize my content creation.
In this robust app, I've constructed a streamlined workflow that has exponentially increased my output.
I used to store video ideas sporadically across different mediums—on my phone, in Evernote, or even in a physical notebook. However, ideas are fleeting, and I often lost them.
The implementation of Notion changed everything; I now produce two to three videos a week while maintaining my medical career.
The workflow is straightforward: Video ideas enter the process with either no status or as a basic concept, which is then evolved through various stages courtesy of features like Kanban boards, templates, and linked databases.
Right now, I've accumulated close to a hundred video concepts waiting to be fleshed out.
With my team's help, a video progresses from writing to review, from filming to editing, and finally to publication.
This structure ensures we're never starting from zero—there's always a pool of ideas ready to be developed.
The organized strategy also applies to my blog posts and email newsletters. This systematic method not only boosts our productivity but ensures consistent quality content for my audience.
Especially useful for project management, this approach isn't limited to YouTube.
Students can adapt this method to track their assignments, and writers can organize their drafts.
.png)
Such an organized system is a game-changer—beginning with a blank page is daunting, but a well-maintained ideas repository makes creation a breeze.
Let’s take a glance at how linked databases streamline sponsor-related content.
Adherence to schedules is paramount for this content type.
By linking the sponsored video schedule to the main video database, changes in one reflect instantly in another.
This relational feature illuminates upcoming deadlines and keeps everything in harmony.
Lastly, leveraging Notion templates tailored to my workflow has significantly benefitted content quality.
Inspired by Thomas Frank, but modified to fit my needs, templates offer a scaffold to ensure nothing crucial is missed during production.
If you're looking for templates for your day-to-day activities, you should check our template gallery for free and premium templates. And specifically check out LifeSync OS, our premium planner.
Notion is a note-taking and productivity app that allows you to organize your thoughts, write, and plan all in one place. It's like having a digital workspace to capture anything.
Notionyou is your one-stop-shop to get free and premium notion templates for every single use case. We are on a mission to help people improve their lifestyle and become productive with our newsletter and templates.
A Notion template is a pre-built workspace or page structure that can be duplicated to quickly set up common workflows or documents. Templates help users get started without building from scratch.
If you want more than the basic templates that come with Notion, you may find it useful to pay for templates that are of higher quality, more specialized, or more complicated. Paid templates frequently have more sophisticated features, allow for extensive customization, and have expertly made designs. They make things easier to do and save time for certain tasks or projects.
Yes, the Notion free account plan allows for personal use forever with features like unlimited pages, blocks, and integrations. It's a good option to try Notion without paying.