Tiny Experiments for Jan 2026
I write this post directly after finishing the session with Anne-Laure Le Cunff from the Spark Summit 2026 with Ali Abdaal.
In the session, we ran through how to set up our own tiny experiments.
Here are mine.
I will block YouTube during work hours in January
I've always allowed myself to use YouTube as entertainment during my lunch breaks, but whilst it's great at switching off from work, it gets me hooked into other areas too intensely, and then I resent working. I think this is having a big impact on my enjoyment at work, which is incredibly important for me to change.
I will need to:
- How to block YouTube across everything
- What to replace it with (Audiobooks)
How it went...
The thing that has been really helpful (and surprising because I didn't know it was possible) was this chrome extension called 'Untrap for YouTube'. Essentially you can tailor your entire experience of the website by removing certain elements on the page.
I want to do a bigger piece on this in the future. But a few of the most helpful things have been:
- making the home automatically my watch later list
- removing suggested videos from the play window
- and completely removing shorts altogether.
I sometimes still watch YouTube, but it's limited to my lunch break. And I've also been using the Reader (Readwise app) to save content and watch later.
I find that when I get to the weekend I am much more excited to watch videos and have free reign. We're also privileged that we have a projector, and I try to watch on there during weekdays to make it a much more intentional experience.
I will not engage in social media for 1 month in January
I compare myself far too much, and it stops me from doing things simply down to the time I use doing it, but also the inner monologue of saying I can't do something, which I know isn't true.
I will need to:
- Delete them from my phone entirely (done)
- Put healthier apps in their place (already done)
How it went...
I successfully blocked YouTube and social media out of my working day. Social media was the easiest, as I just simply deleted the apps from my phone. I quickly realised that I needed some of these for work so I installed Opal (an app blocker) - this worked really well (and it's free).
I soon started to realise that I was taking far too many breaks and came back into my old habits. So I made it harder for myself which makes me wait even longer. The huge benefit of this app is setting the schedules, so you decide once and then never have to think about it again (game-changer).
I also installed Opal onto my Macbook which really helped me block specific websites, and mirrors essentially the exact same thing. I realised that I needed some apps like Instagram and Facebook, which I have way more self-control over so I didn't continue to block these.
I will wake up at 6 AM for 2 days a week in January
A morning routine is highly worthwhile experimenting with as it's so important. I haven't woken up consistently early for my job yet as I get to choose. I came across
I will need to:
- Choose the days of the week I do this on to remove decision fatigue
- Schedule them into my calendar
- Decide what I do in these blocks (I'm not sure how to do this, or what's best, so I will also research it)
How it went...
Yeah, this didn't work at all. I managed this only twice throughout the month and it didn't really have much effect and I totally ended up dreading it. Setting it to specific days of the week might have also been the issue, because the night before I would often realise that sleep/rest was more important (I struggled throughout this month with sleep).
What I have realised is that I've been waking up much more consistently through the weekdays and weekends. I used to lie in on the weekends, but this has only harmed my routine. I also just enjoy it now? Which I never thought I would.
Positives but in unexpected ways.
See you soon,
Will
