Ali Abdaal’s Feel Good Productivity: A Guide to Happier, More Effective Work Life
“Feel Good Productivity” by Ali Abdaal presents a refreshing approach to productivity, prioritizing happiness and well-being alongside achieving goals. Dr Ali Abdaal is the world’s most-followed productivity expert, with a social media following in the dozens of millions. Based on decades of psychological research, Ali outlines an evidence-based approach that outlines how the secret to sustainable productivity and success isn’t grind – it’s feeling good. If you can make your work feel good, productivity takes care of itself.
The book in Three sentences
Three Keys to Effortless Productivity: The three parts of Ali’s book, “Energize, Unblock, and Sustain,” offer a framework for sustainable and enjoyable productivity. It involves finding playful and low-stakes approaches to tasks, viewing challenges as opportunities, and incorporating fun and community into work and study.
My impression
This book is incredibly relevant, particularly for those in high-pressure fields (like healthcare), and is a breath of fresh air. It emphasizes the need for sustainable, positive approaches in our work, crucial in a controlled and stressful environment like healthcare. Just as we apply evidence-based, scientific methods in treating patients, the book suggests we adopt the same meticulous and caring approach to our productivity and daily tasks and is a must add to books that medical students and those in healthcare should read. It’s like giving ourselves the same level of care and attention to our patients, which sounds both refreshing and necessary.
Who Should Read It?
There’s really no limit to who should read Feeling Good Productivity. We all have times when we need to be productive; therefore, this book is inherently about our relationship with what all of us do every day. That being said, you’ll enjoy this book if:
- You are about achieving your goals,
- You want to make your pursuits more enjoyable
- You want to sustain your momentum
- You want to know how to achieve your goals in a healthy way
How the Book Changed Me
The myth that work must be painful likely stems from long-standing societal and cultural beliefs that equate hard work with suffering and serious effort. This perspective suggests that success and accomplishment are only achieved through struggle and discomfort, overlooking the potential benefits of enjoyment and comfort in the workplace. Abdaal discusses the need to shift our mindset towards work, moving away from the idea that hard work and stress are indicators of success. He advocates for evidence-based approaches to productivity that I plan to integrate into my workflow.
Summary and notes
The Introduction
Ali shares his journey from a stressed-out doctor to a successful entrepreneur. Ali details how the science of feel-good productivity can transform your life and how ignoring it almost derailed him.
Part 1 Energise
Ali shares the three fundamental energizers that make our productivity feel good. He discusses strategies that Nobel laureates and co-founders of multimillion-dollar enterprises use to maintain motivation and outperform expectations, all by finding the fun in their projects.
The three energizers are:
Play
Approach tasks with a playful attitude and lightness. This involves finding joy and fun in what you’re doing, making it less about obligation and more about enjoyment. Sometimes, times are harder than others, but find the curiosity and focus on the part you enjoy; try your best to feel gratitude. No one else has to know, but for you, it will make all the difference. Continuously ask yourself, “What would this look like if it were fun?” This mindset can transform mundane tasks into more enjoyable activities(similar advice in Unwinding Anxiety, another one of my favorites).
Power
Shift from ‘Have to’ to ‘Get to’: Change your mindset from feeling forced to do something (“have to”) to viewing it as an opportunity or choice (“get to”). This mindset shift changes the emotional approach to the task. Make small choices and keep the feeling of staying in control.
People
Incorporating People: Enhance tasks by involving others. Studying with friends or collaborating with colleagues can make the experience more enjoyable and productive.
Part 2 Unblock
This section outlines a groundbreaking method for beating procrastination that doesn’t rely on temporary motivation or painful discipline. Just like you wouldn’t blame yourself for not walking through a closed door, you should realize that trying to get yourself over your motivation blockers can be just as frustrating.
Blockers
Lack of Clarity:
This blocker arises when there’s uncertainty about our ability to complete a task (“Can I do it?”), the purpose or direction of the task (“What is this leading to?”), and the quality of the outcome (“Will this be good?”). Lack of clarity creates a paralyzing indecision, making it challenging to start or progress in our tasks.
Uncertainty:
Uncertainty is inherently unsettling and can trigger a fear response in our brains. When faced with uncertain outcomes or processes, our brain can go into overdrive, generating feelings of fear and anxiety. This response can significantly hinder our ability to focus and take action, leading to procrastination.
Courage:
The need for courage as a blocker might seem paradoxical, but it’s crucial in overcoming procrastination. Often, the tasks we postpone are those that require us to step out of our comfort zones, face potential failure, or confront challenging emotions. The lack of courage to face these fears can be a significant impediment to productivity. Understanding and cultivating courage ( or learning how to make the problem more of a joke) can, therefore, be a powerful strategy to unblock and move forward effectively.
Part 3 Sustain
A guide to preventing burnout by focusing on how to make work sustainable in the long run. Ali introduces the science of taking breaks, writing off days, and doing less to achieve more. You’ll learn that these intentional pauses and reflection are crucial for sustaining your productivity. He ends off with a masterclass in the science of motivation and how to use practical strategies to help align your everyday actions with the core values that you may have become disconnected with, crafting a life rich with fulfillment and joy.
