Hi everyone, I’m Max Hoàng! Welcome back to my blog, where I share insights, experiences, and lessons from my daily learning journey.

Today marks another entry in my Shorts Making Challenge, where I commit to creating and sharing a video every single day. Today’s topic dives into a powerful idea: Creating the Obligation to Teach.

The Inspiration Behind My Commitment

The concept of “creating an obligation to teach” resonated deeply with me when I encountered it in Steven Bartlett’s insightful book, “The Diary of a CEO.” Bartlett argues that to truly master a skill or topic, you must hold yourself accountable through teaching. This simple yet powerful principle forms the foundation of my daily video-making practice.

Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist renowned for his extraordinary teaching abilities, expressed a similar sentiment:

“If you want to learn something, read about it. If you want to understand it, write about it. If you want to master it, teach it.”

These words have profoundly influenced how I approach personal growth and skill acquisition.

Why Create an Obligation to Teach?

When you commit publicly to sharing what you’ve learned, you automatically raise your standards. Here’s how:

1. Enhanced Understanding: Teaching forces you to simplify complex concepts, leading to deeper comprehension.
2. Improved Communication Skills: Regular practice in writing scripts and filming videos improves clarity in speaking and writing.
3. Accountability and Consistency: A daily commitment publicly shared creates accountability. It’s harder to quit when others expect your contributions.
4. Feedback and Community: Sharing consistently leads to valuable feedback from others, refining your ideas, and building connections with like-minded people.

My Daily Process

Every morning, I begin by selecting a topic based on my current learnings and experiences. I write a concise script outlining the key insights. This script forms the foundation for two creations:

• A short video published daily on my social media.
• A detailed blog post on my website to deepen the exploration of the topic.

Publishing these every afternoon forces me into a productive routine, pushing my boundaries and consistently expanding my skillset.

Why Public Accountability Matters: “Skin in the Game”

Publicly declaring my commitment has a profound psychological effect: it creates “skin in the game.” When others know my goals, I feel compelled to follow through. This external accountability has significantly increased my consistency and perseverance.

Interestingly, I started posting videos on a brand-new Facebook account with fewer than 10 friends. This was intentional. It’s not about immediate recognition or external validation; rather, it’s about cultivating a habit and discipline over time. The focus is on personal mastery and consistent improvement—not popularity or quick success.

Benefits I’ve Experienced

Through this challenge, I’ve seen noticeable growth:

• Enhanced English proficiency: Daily video making improves both my spoken and written English.
• Clarity in thinking: Consistent practice in summarizing and teaching ideas sharpens my analytical and organizational skills.
• Technical skills: Regular video production has elevated my editing and storytelling abilities.
• Community growth: Even though small, meaningful connections with like-minded individuals continue to develop organically.

Join Me in This Journey

If mastering a skill or gaining expertise is your goal, I encourage you to create your own “obligation to teach.” Choose a topic, learn consistently, and publicly share your insights. It might feel uncomfortable initially, but the rewards far outweigh the initial fears.

If you’re interested in learning more about my journey or want resources to start your own, visit MaxHoang.com.au.

Tomorrow, I’ll dive into the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Stay tuned!

Thanks for reading, and see you soon!