Most writers are advised to write what they know. For Nir Eyal, however, this traditional approach holds little appeal. Instead, he takes a different route: he writes to learn. Writing, for him, is not a way to showcase mastery but a means to explore the unknown and wrestle with unresolved questions.
Eyal views writing as a deep dive into the challenges that baffle him. As his friend and fellow author Gretchen Rubin aptly puts it, “Research is me search.” Whenever he faces a complex problem, his first instinct is to turn inward. Setting aside dedicated, distraction-free time for introspection allows him to sift through his thoughts. Remarkably, this process alone resolves about 80 percent of his dilemmas. Simply jotting down ideas helps him clarify and untangle his thoughts.
But not every problem yields so easily. When self-reflection isn’t enough, Eyal turns to his most trusted confidant, his wife Julie. Their conversations often bring new insights, perspectives, and potential solutions. Yet, some questions prove too intricate even after thorough discussions.
At that point, Eyal embarks on a more extensive research journey. He scours existing literature, purchasing multiple books on the subject and absorbing the collective wisdom of experts. His methodical reading typically leads him to satisfying answers about 99 percent of the time.
However, on rare occasions, even exhaustive research leaves gaps. It is precisely these lingering uncertainties that ignite his passion to write a book. To date, this has happened only twice. The first instance led to his book “Hooked,” which explores how to create habit-forming products. The second occasion resulted in “Indistractable,” born from his quest to understand and conquer distraction and procrastination.
Writing a book is no small feat for Eyal. He describes it as “the hardest fun thing” he knows how to do. Crafting 30,000 words he feels proud to share with the world demands years of disciplined effort and unwavering curiosity. This mantra of “follow your curiosity” fuels his writing process, ensuring that his interest in the topic sustains him through the long and often grueling journey of book creation.
Interestingly, Eyal doesn’t begin his books by drafting comprehensive outlines. Instead, he approaches his projects incrementally, treating his blog as a testing ground for his evolving ideas. Each week, he publishes articles that dissect various facets of the problem he’s exploring. This steady stream of blog posts allows him to refine his thinking, identify recurring themes, and gather reader feedback. Over time, these fragments coalesce into the core content of his books.
Not every article makes it into the final manuscript. Many serve as stepping stones, helping him shape and sharpen his arguments. Eventually, certain themes emerge as central pillars, forming the backbone of his fully fleshed-out chapters.
Currently, Eyal finds himself between major projects, contemplating his next intellectual pursuit. With around ten topics sparking his curiosity, he is open to suggestions. He reflects on his journey so far: his first book tackled the formation of positive habits, while his second focused on breaking free from negative patterns.
Now, he invites his audience to participate in shaping his future work. Are there pressing questions or persistent challenges that existing literature has yet to address? What problems do readers struggle with that could benefit from Eyal’s methodical, curiosity-driven approach? He welcomes these suggestions, inviting readers to contribute their ideas for potential exploration.
In a world where many authors stick to familiar territory, Nir Eyal’s approach stands out. By writing to learn, he not only educates himself but also offers fresh, deeply considered insights to his readers. His process transforms personal inquiry into collective understanding, making his work resonate with those seeking answers to life’s most perplexing questions.
