Learn more about the Google for Startups Cloud Program here.

In this episode of Superhuman AI: Decoding the Future, Zain and Hassan break down practical productivity strategies that don’t rely on the hustle-culture myth of working 80-hour weeks. They challenge the idea that endless grind equals success, instead advocating for smarter, more sustainable work habits. Hassan shares how sacrificing work-life balance early in his career accelerated his learning curve, while Zain critiques false productivity narratives and explains his approach to managing high-energy tasks and draining meetings.

The conversation explores key productivity techniques, including structured scheduling, batching similar tasks, and blocking time to avoid context switching. And our hosts stress the importance of health in maintaining peak performance, emphasizing sleep, diet, and exercise as crucial productivity boosters.

Beyond work, Zain and Hassan discuss balancing productivity with family life, sharing personal experiences of managing careers alongside marriage and parenting. They stress that prioritizing relationships is essential for long-term success, helping avoid burnout and maintaining overall well-being.

What we talk about:

(1:01) – The 80-hour work-week myth

(4:19) – What does real productivity look like?

(7:30) – Rest is key

(8:40) – Recognise your energy boosts and energy drains

(12:00) – Plan ahead to avoid context-switching

(14:27) – Use checklists to appreciate your achievements

(16:21) – Get comfortable with delegation

(20:12) – Think tactically about work-life balance

(21:45) – Maintaining productivity and meeting family obligations

(29:48) – Recapping the Superhuman Productivity Tips

Learn more about the Google for Startups Cloud Program here.

In this episode of Superhuman AI: Decoding the Future, Zain and Hassan discuss the art of creating and growing successful side hustles. They explore how small projects can evolve into larger opportunities by solving problems for individuals that often apply to many, a key principle for scaling any business. With real-world examples from their own journeys, they provide actionable insights for turning side hustles into significant income streams.

They highlight the iterative nature of side hustles and explain why failure is both common and incredibly important. Zain and Hassan stress the importance of mindset—embracing setbacks as part of the process and staying persistent. They also outline the fundamental skills for side hustle success, focusing on product-building and distribution.

Drawing from their experiences, Zain and Hassan share practical advice for starting side hustles with minimal capital, such as testing ideas with simple landing pages and small ad spends. Zain recounts building a consulting business and later an agency through his social media audience, while Hassan shares how continuous effort turned a side hustle into a venture-funded company. Packed with strategies to generate up to $10,000 monthly, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to transform a side project into a thriving business.

What we talk about:

(1:47) – The mindset of starting a side hustle.

(2:33) – Build something people want.

(4:56) – Understanding products.

(8:15) – How to approach distribution.

(14:59) – You don’t need a product to start testing your ideas.

(18:51) – Be obsessed with your customer, not the product.

(20:00) – Experiment with freelancing to test the market and your appetite.

(22:09) – How Hassan started his side hustle.

(23:51) – How Zain started his side hustle while in a full-time job.

(28:17) – Successful businesses aren’t built overnight. Embrace iteration.

Learn more about the Google for Startups Cloud Program here.

In this episode of Superhuman AI: Decoding the Future, Zain and Hassan dive into career-building strategies, focusing on how to develop your "unfair advantage." They share personal insights and actionable advice for prioritizing learning and growth over immediate salary and title, emphasizing the importance of seeking roles that accelerate career progression through high-growth opportunities.

They explore the concept of an "unfair advantage," defined as a unique blend of skills or expertise that sets you apart and creates lasting value. Hassan highlights the benefits of taking risks early in your career, sharing how bold decisions lead to exponential learning and long-term rewards. They also touch on the importance of promoting your work internally to ensure recognition and advancement.

And Zain rounds out the discussion by stressing the critical role of effective communication in career success, particularly through writing. Plus, he shares practical tips for improving communication, encouraging simplicity, clarity, and impact.

What we talk about:
(1:29) – What is an unfair advantage?
(4:11) – How can you build your unfair advantage?
(6:02) – How to think about risk.
(8:06) – Optimize for learning.
(13:23) – Choose job opportunities that maximize your learning opportunities.
(14:17) – How to find jobs where you'll learn the most.
(16:24) – Build complimentary skillsets.

(17:48) – Avoid becoming a generalist.
(21:02) – The importance of advocating for yourself.
(24:08) – How to promote yourself in the workplace.
(25:10) – Key skills everyone should have.
(32:28) – How to be a better communicator.