In this episode, we explore the concept of Yearly Themes, a flexible productivity principle popularized by CGP Grey and the Cortex Podcast.

Instead of setting rigid goals (like "go to the gym every day") that shatter the moment you miss one, a Theme acts as a compass to help you "steer the ship". We discuss why themes are superior for habit forming, how to conduct a Year in Review, and why we are pivoting our creator businesses in 2026.

We also dive deep into the reality of building a creator product versus a community, and why the "marketing funnel" is better visualized as a series of opulent rooms.

Connect with me onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vfarkasch/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/orbitforcreators/Music from Uppbeat https://share.uppbeat.io/orbit-for-creatorsSubtitles made with Magic Subtitles https://www.mralextech.com/magicsubtitle/2tj0zThumbnail tested on on ClickPilot https://clickpilot.app?aff=nDNrp

During the editing I realized I missed two lessons.By embracing imperfections I found peace with that and instead of re-recording them you can read find out what I left out in the newsletter: newsletter.orbitforcreators.com/Connect with me onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vfarkasch/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/orbitforcreators/Music from Uppbeat https://share.uppbeat.io/orbit-for-creatorsSubtitles made with Magic Subtitles https://www.mralextech.com/magicsubtitle/2tj0zThumbnail tested on on ClickPilot https://clickpilot.app?aff=nDNrpChapters0:00 25 Lessons1:10 Live an interesting Life1:59 Audience over revenue3:39 Systems over outcomes4:35 Simplify5:34 The power of reflection6:24 Think on paper7:59 Pick the right ideas9:13 Focus on one thing10:39 Be clear, not clever12:16 Research connects 12:50 The story is just the beginning14:01 Don’t edit and publish15:56 Long-form is an investment16:49 Metrics are meaningless17:53 Host events or content18:50 Bring people to YouTube19:32 Curate your feed19:45 Captain your own ship20:49 Discovering the tagline21:39 Community takes commitment24:21 Movement is essential24:42 What is real25:39 Forget the algorithm

Find James on YouTube @Project AirConnect with me onLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vfarkasch/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/orbitforcreators/Music from Uppbeat https://share.uppbeat.io/orbit-for-creatorsSubtitles made with Magic Subtitles https://www.mralextech.com/magicsubtitle/2tj0zThumbnail tested on on ClickPilot https://clickpilot.app?aff=nDNrp

0:00 Intro2:39 Making Niche Topic Interesting to Millions4:29 How to you test ideas? 9:37 When did you start seeing success? 13:17 How do you build for failure? 16:40 The power of community17:56 Is it still possible to become a YouTuber today? 21:23 What does Success look like?