Aidar Karimov

  • Should you try if someone else does it better?

    Should you try if someone else does it better?

    Anything humans achieve can be repeated—but it takes so much effort that I sometimes wonder: is it even worth it if someone out there can do it 100 times better? Like some guy from China on YouTube.

    I always loved watching people skateboard. Back in Arsk, there were no proper places for it—the roads were all dirt and… well, worse than dirt. But still, seeing videos of people flipping their boards and hanging out with friends looked awesome.

    One day, I watched a skater try the same trick for an hour straight. And in the end, he finally landed it. I sat there thinking:

    “Seriously? Was all that struggle really worth it?”

    Then again, maybe if someone has that much determination, they should put it into something like programming? If you can grind through failures and keep going, why not use that skill somewhere else?

    I enjoy watching dedicated people.

  • It’s never too late—but when?

    It’s never too late—but when?

    When I got my first phone, an iPhone 3GS, I used the default Notes app. Back then, it showed how much time had passed since a note was created.

    One day, I made a note called “Learn Web Design.” A year later, I opened it and saw that 365 days had passed—and I hadn’t done anything. Then I got a new phone, and every year that number kept growing. Eventually, my notes got erased when I transferred data, but that one note stayed in my head—like an old joke that isn’t funny anymore.

    The problem is, we often think, “It’s too late to start now.” Sound familiar? Over the years, I built up so many excuses I could write a whole library of them.

    Sure, you might not become a design/marketing/juggling master or a fluent polyglot overnight. But every little step counts.

    So stop regretting what you didn’t do. It’s time to take action instead of just sitting around—like I did with that note.

    Tell yourself: “I can start right now! Or… maybe on Monday.” 😆

  • My Workspace: Comfort and Surprises

    My Workspace: Comfort and Surprises

    A workspace is, believe it or not, one of the most important places in our lives. I used to work at the kitchen table or on the couch, but trust me—my productivity suffered. Sitting on a couch is comfy, but the moment you start working, everything falls apart. I realized that even a simple desk and chair aren’t just formalities—they actually help you focus and get things done.

    Back in Russia, I saw these cool height-adjustable desks. They’re awesome! After moving to Canada, I couldn’t resist and bought one for 170 CAD—not too bad considering how much time I spend working. In Russian rubles, that’s about 12,000, which didn’t seem like a big deal. But… the tabletop turned out to be super thin, and adjusting the height felt like flying a helicopter in Vice City.

    When I sit, everything’s fine. But when I raise the desk to work standing up, it feels like it was made for tiny people. I’m 171.2 cm tall, and my elbows end up lower than the desk—it’s a disaster. But standing while working is actually fun! Switching tasks feels easier, and I don’t get tired as quickly. Though my back sometimes reminds me to sit down, so I jump onto my trusty Markus chair from IKEA—it’s adjustable, comfy, and not expensive.

    Under my desk, I have a footrest. When I sit, I put my feet on it to stretch a bit. And when I stand, I rest one foot on it—it’s a lifesaver.

    Now I’m dreaming of a second monitor. I want to feel like a real developer or designer, though my 13-inch MacBook does the job. But editing in Figma on this tiny screen feels like using an old iPhone SE—not fun at all.

    And don’t even get me started on the lighting. It’s as dark as a basement. I keep googling how to brighten a room with just one window, but no good tips so far. I moved my chair so the light comes from the right, but I’m not sure if that’s the best setup. Maybe I should go old-school, like in Soviet classrooms, where the light came from the left? And add a teacher with a pointer for full effect? Right now, my face gets weird lighting during video calls—not great.

    If you have any tips, let me know! Or don’t. 😆

  • Review of The Answer: How to take charge of your life & become the person you want to be

    Review of The Answer: How to take charge of your life & become the person you want to be

    Rating: 8 /10.

    The book is simple, interesting, and easy to read.

    The main idea that runs through the entire book is: write down your ideas, set deadlines, and trust fate. Fate will give you opportunities in the form of people who will help you achieve your goals. Essentially, it’s about visualization, affirmations, and believing in the universe.

    It’s quite interesting.

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  • About me

    About me

    Hey there! I’m Aidar Karimov—an entrepreneur, marketer, and founder of SmartMoose and SubSweeper.

    With over 10 years of experience, I’ve been creating and managing marketing strategies that actually work. I love digging into data, market trends, and analytics to make smart business decisions.

    I also have a Master’s Degree in Economics and Management, which helps me understand the bigger picture. Whether it’s problem-solving, communication, or market research, I’m always looking for ways to improve and grow.

    Oh, and a fun fact—I was in the top 50 birdwatchers in Antigua in 2022! 🦜

    This is my blog, where I share all my thoughts on business, marketing, and life.