This week a very cool thing happened.

I was interviewed by Nathan Barry, the founder of Kit, on his podcast to talk about YouTube.

(If you’ve got any sense, you’ll know Kit is the best email platform out there, and the one I’m using to send this email).

Nathan is a very cool guy. And his podcast is one of my absolute favourites.

I’ve watched so many episodes the setting is quite iconic for me. Seeing myself standing there at the black board I can't help but think:

“What the hell is that guy doing there? He’s a total idiot!”

But I like imposter syndrome. It means I'm growing.

I’ll share a link once it’s out (likely in April).

But one thing Nathan said in the podcast really stuck with me.

We were talking about how much effort YouTube can be, especially without the guarantee of a return, and he said:

“Yeah content is hard, but never in my life have I seen someone focus on doing the right things, try to get 1% better with every piece of content, for years, and not build something that they think is a success.”

Let's remember this guy has a $50m/year business directly related to helping creators make more money.

This is a core pattern he's recognised in this game.

Show up → do the work for long enough → get results.

This got me reflecting a bit on the last few years of my life.

And how in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn’t take THAT long to build a successful 6-figure business if you really want to.

And to become a quote unquote “expert” in something.

My venture into the online world officially started exactly 5 years ago, in February 2021. I used a platform called Revue to send out weekly newsletters. The first 4 I sent to myself and no one else.

After a while I realised that sharing stuff online was fun, and my friends and family wouldn’t all ditch me for posting terrible content.

So 9 months later, in October 2021 I uploaded my first YouTube video.

A mere 4 years and 5 months ago.

When I was 24 years old, that seemed like forever. I’m gonna have to wait until I’m 28 to go full time on my business?

Ugh.

But now I’m 29, it seems like a lot less time.

Especially to go from knowing absolutely nothing about building a business, YouTube, making money online, writing, sales, offers, teams, editing, thumbnails and the lot.

All the way from there to building a multi 6-figure business that I know has the potential to go way beyond that.

Of course, my vision and reality are two different things.

But to even have that on the horizon.

In less than 5 years?

From a complete and utter humdinger of a noob?

(Whenever I want a reminder of what my growth looks like, I watch this video. Humdinger of a noob is putting it lightly).

Going on Nathan’s podcast has reminded me of a valuable lesson.

When you:

1. Have a vision of something you want.
2. Put your head down for 3-5 years.

Then when you look up after, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come.

Your vision doesn't even have to be that clear. It just has to be directionally correct. Vaguely towards something you want.

And I’ve seen this time frame hold true for a tonne of people.

3-5 years of hard work on something yields incredible amounts of progress.

Especially YouTubers.

It’s VERY rare to find someone who has put in consistent effort into making YouTube videos (and importantly tried to improve them and get help at the right times) who hasn’t made significant process.

If it’s on the right thing, in the right way, you can build something so far away from what you first imagined. And become someone different in the process.

That’s the best bit too. Not the material reward. But becoming someone who your younger self is proud of and impressed by.

And after 10 years of hard work?

Well who knows, I’ll let you know when I get there in February 2031.

If you're already there, or on the way there too, I'd love to know. Just reply to this email, I read and reply to every one.

Tintin 🫡

P.s.

If you're serious about building a 6-figure business from your channel, you might be interested in The $100k YouTuber.

Every single day I work closely with YouTubers in the programme to help them grow.

You can learn more, see results and apply on this page here.

My YouTube Channel: watch here​

The $100k YouTuber Roadmap: read here​