Why I Disappeared for a Month: Sharpening the Axe & My First YouTube Battle
It’s been about a month since my last post. After a very intense start to my “AI Expedition,” I went quiet.
The reason is simple: I was trying to climb ten different mountains at once.
The constant flood of new tools, technologies, and “must-learn” topics left me feeling overwhelmed and unfocused. I was consuming a massive amount of information but struggling to build deep, lasting knowledge. The daily 4:30 AM starts were still happening, but the direction was getting blurry.
So, I took a strategic pause. I spent the last month sharpening my axe.
A New 3-Month Plan for Deeper Work
I realized I needed to move away from trying to do everything and focus on a simple, powerful mission. My primary objective for the next 90 days is to become a fundamentally better engineer. This isn’t about learning more things; it’s about learning the right things more deeply.
To do this, I’ve designed a new plan built on three core pillars:
1. Pillar 1: Master the Fundamentals (The Skill Pillar) The most valuable engineers are the ones who understand timeless principles. My focus will be on a deep, practical understanding of Data Structures & Algorithms and System Design & Architecture. I’ll also be going deeper into the architecture of iOS to truly master my core craft.
2. Pillar 2: Master the Narrative (The Communication Pillar) Great engineering is useless if you can’t explain it clearly. A huge part of this journey will be deliberately practicing the art of communication. My main tool for this is my new YouTube channel Shibili Areekara: My AI Expedition, where I’ll share what I’m learning.
3. Pillar 3: Master the Market (The Branding & Application Pillar) Learning in public is still a core part of this plan. My blog and public projects will serve as proof of the work. In the final phase, I’ll use these assets to test my new skills against the market by seeking new challenges.
My First Battle: The YouTube Video
The first real test of this new plan was executing on Pillar 2: creating my introductory YouTube video. I thought it would be easy. I was wrong.
It took two full weeks to get to a final product. I had the script, but when I got in front of the camera, I couldn’t make it sound natural. I realized that, while I have confidence, my communication skills need real, dedicated practice. So I practiced. I said the lines over and over until they felt like my own.
After the first successful take, I did the edit and realized the tone was wrong. I sounded exaggerated, not like myself. So I did a full retake with a calmer, more subtle delivery.
The editing process alone took 11 hours. As a beginner in DaVinci Resolve, everything was new. But I loved it. The struggle to learn the software, to polish the audio, to get the color right, to create the thumbnail in Canva and it was a wonderful and exhilarating challenge.
It’s a powerful reminder that the first video of any great YouTuber is never as good as their 100th. You have to start, you have to be bad at it, and you have to keep going.
What’s Next
This new, focused plan is my path forward. The work has already begun. Before diving deep into DSA, I am “sharpening the axe” one last time by completing two Google courses on AI and Prompting to better leverage my AI partner.
The biggest change I’m making is to my daily habits. My time will shift from passive consumption to active creation. The struggle is where the real learning happens.
This journey is about active creation, not passive consumption. It’s about the struggle, because that’s where the real learning happens. I’m excited to be back on track, with a clearer plan and a renewed sense of purpose.
Thank you for your patience. The expedition continues.
Join the Discussion
1. What part of this post was most valuable to you?
- (A) The new, focused 3-month plan.
- (B) The honest story of the struggle to create the first video.
- (C) The mindset of “active creation over passive consumption.”
Let me know your answer (A, B, or C) in the comments below!
2. A Question For You: Have you ever had to take a strategic pause on a project to regroup and create a better plan? What did you learn from it?
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