When it comes to personal development, many of us are faced with seemingly contrasting pieces of advice. On one hand, you have people like Ali Abdaal, a productivity guru who firmly believes in the power of time-blocking and systematic planning to maximise productivity. His approach, rooted in practical tips and methods, can help us stay organised and intentional with our time.
On the other hand, there’s Naval Ravikant, a successful entrepreneur and angel investor, who encourages us to embrace a more free-flowing approach to life. He argues that true freedom comes from learning to give up the constant need for control and finding space for spontaneity.
While these perspectives seem like opposites, they both advocate for the importance of being intentional with our choices—whether that means structuring your day with precision or creating the freedom to pursue what feels right in the moment.
Who Are Naval Ravikant and Ali Abdaal?
Before diving into their differing approaches to time management and wellbeing, let’s first understand who these two individuals are and why their views carry weight.
Naval Ravikant
Naval Ravikant is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, angel investor, and the founder of AngelList, which has helped fund over 100 companies. A well-known advocate for mental clarity, mindfulness, and self-awareness, Naval’s philosophy revolves around creating wealth—not just financially, but in terms of peace of mind and overall wellbeing.
He has gained widespread attention for his podcast Naval Podcast, where he shares insights on wealth-building, mental models, and mindfulness. Naval believes in the power of meditation and reflection as tools for self-care and advocates for a minimalist approach to life and work. In his view, wellbeing doesn’t come from constant hustle or rigid schedules but from aligning with your inner self and creating space for inner peace.
“Happiness is a state where nothing is missing.” – Naval Ravikant
Ali Abdaal
Ali Abdaal is a former doctor turned productivity expert and YouTuber. With over 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube, he shares productivity hacks, time management techniques, and personal development strategies aimed at improving efficiency and overall wellbeing. Ali’s practical advice on time-blocking, creating habits, and focusing on deep work has helped thousands optimise their lives.
Ali believes that well-being is intrinsically tied to being productive in a meaningful way. His approach to self-care isn’t about abandoning structure but creating systems that allow for both work and rest in a balanced, intentional way. He’s a strong advocate for the importance of routines and habits that promote mental and physical health, from regular exercise to setting boundaries around social media use.
“The secret to being productive is to figure out what’s important, and then protect your time for it.” – Ali Abdaal
Phase 1: The Audit and Intention Setting
When embarking on a wellbeing journey, the first step is to evaluate how we spend our time. Research by RescueTime shows that the average person spends 3 hours and 15 minutes daily on their phone, with much of it on unproductive activities like doomscrolling. Imagine what we could do with that time if we aligned it with our values.
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” – Peter Drucker
One of the most common misconceptions about self-care is equating it with escapism. Binge-watching Netflix or endlessly scrolling social media may feel like “me time,” but true self-care nourishes and recharges you. These activities can easily become numbing agents, distracting you from deeper needs.
“Escapism is sweet, but it’s a poor substitute for fulfilment.”
This phase requires discipline and clarity. Just as a new driver needs a functional car and detailed attention to rules, we must first get our “life vehicle” in order. Time blocking, prioritisation, and reducing time sinks are key tools here.
Reader Activity: Time Audit Exercise
Track your activities for one week using a tool like Google Calendar, Notion, or a simple notebook.
Categorise each activity as:
Essential (work, self-care, family time)
Valuable (exercise, hobbies, meaningful conversations)
Wasted (doomscrolling, unfulfilling obligations, binge-watching)
Reflect: Are you spending your time intentionally? What would you like to change?
Phase 2: Building Habits and Awareness
Once you’ve cleared the clutter and aligned your schedule with your values, the next step is to habituate these changes. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, emphasises that small, consistent actions lead to lasting transformation:
“You do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.”
For instance:
A Sunday meal prep session can save hours and reduce decision fatigue during the week.
Scheduling morning runs or yoga twice a week creates a predictable rhythm that’s easier to stick with.
Decluttering your home fosters mental clarity and calm.
This is also a good time to redefine self-care. Instead of escapism, look for activities that genuinely replenish you—whether it’s a walk in nature, journaling, connecting with loved ones, or simply enjoying silence. True self-care nourishes the body, mind, and spirit.
As these habits become second nature, you’ll notice more time and mental energy opening up—setting the stage for something beautiful: spontaneity.
Getting Practical with Time Management - Suggested Ali Abdaal clips
If you’re looking for easy and actionable tips on how to manage your time better, Ali Abdaal’s YouTube videos are a goldmine. He’s known for his clear, simple advice on productivity.
Here are a few videos I recommend checking out:
1. How To Control Your Attention (And Stop Wasting Time)
2. 7 Habits that Save Me 3+ Hours a Day
3. 7 Things I Wish I Knew About Productivity Earlier
These videos offer straightforward, easy-to-implement strategies that can help you get started on your journey to better managing your time. If you’re new to time blocking, his approach makes it feel less overwhelming and more like a manageable part of your day.
Phase 3: Mastery and Spontaneity
With a solid foundation in place, you’re ready to embrace life’s unpredictability. Spontaneity isn’t about chaos; it’s about having the freedom and confidence to explore the unexpected without derailing your wellbeing.
“Creativity is the residue of time wasted.” – Albert Einstein
At this stage, you’re no longer a novice driver cautiously navigating the road. You’ve mastered the basics, and now it’s time to enjoy the journey. Say yes to that impromptu trip, pursue a creative hobby, or spend a lazy afternoon with your kids.
And yes, now that you’re more in tune with your needs, watching a movie or scrolling social media can be nourishing—if it’s a conscious choice and not a default escape.
Bringing It All Together
Time is dynamic, and so are we. Structure and spontaneity aren’t opposites—they’re tools we can use at different phases of our wellbeing journey. The most important step is understanding where you are right now and using that knowledge to chart your course forward. Reader Activity: Assess Your Phase
Ask yourself:
Do I feel overwhelmed or aimless? → You’re likely in Phase 1, where an audit can help you regain control.
Am I building new habits but struggling to stay consistent? → Focus on Phase 2, and lean on systems to reinforce your efforts.
Do I feel ready to let go of rigidity but struggle to embrace spontaneity? → Welcome to Phase 3! Start small—add an unplanned outing to your week and see where it leads.
Conclusion
Just as a skilled driver balances focus with freedom, we can learn to navigate our time with both intention and ease. Whether you’re tracking every hour or allowing yourself to wander, remember: life isn’t just about the destination. It’s about enjoying the ride.
As we strive to integrate both intentional structure and room for spontaneity into our lives, it’s important to remember that self-care doesn’t have to be a one-size-fits-all approach. At InsideOut Well, we understand that creating a sustainable routine is the first step towards lasting wellbeing. Whether you’re looking to optimise your time through life coaching or executive coaching, or you want someone to help weave physical and mental wellbeing practices seamlessly into your schedule, our services are tailored to meet your unique needs.
Through our personalised concierge service, we help you embed practices like strength training, yoga, nutrition, and mindfulness into your daily life, ensuring you’re not just ticking boxes, but cultivating a balanced, enriched lifestyle. We believe in taking the time to work through the essentials of wellbeing so you can enjoy the freedom and flexibility to live in the moment, empowered by your choices.
The journey to a healthier, more intentional life starts with small, mindful changes. Let InsideOut Well be your guide as you take that first step towards building a life that not only works for you but truly reflects your values.
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