Cover Image: Feel-Good Productivity

Feel-Good Productivity

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Member Reviews

I really enjoyed this book, and love a good self help book. But liked this book because it was so knowledgeable and positive to how to feel better and surround yourself with others and things to help with your “feel good positivity”!

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This was a really inspiring read that gave a different perspective on productivity than what other books give. Rather than focusing on systems, he gives really practical ideas for sustainable long-term results that prioritize rest just as much. As many of us face burnout, this was a much needed read that came at the perfect time. I highly recommend it!

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Want the secret sauce for more motivation, inspiration & key to unlocking productivity? Abdaal has got it here! It’s not a one size fits all to-do list. It’s a book chalk-full of brilliant ideas for discovering your true passions, aligning your day-to-day actions with your long term goals, and making work more like play. His anecdotal, humorous style of writing made it an easy and enjoyable read!

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I found Feel-Good Productivity and Ali Abdaal’s take on productivity refreshing. First time reading this book from this author, Thank you.

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There were definitely some good steps in here, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I could not relate to many of the examples provided and things mentioned.

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This book was so much better than I expected from the title and the cover. When I got this as a galley read I pushed it back on my reading list a little bit. I have always been the guy that just powered through things ... embraced the grind mentality and thought that the path to success was grueling and painful ... but worth it. I totally regret doing that now as this is having a huge impact on my business and my stress load.

This is very well written, packed with great information, and easy to digest and implement. Following the path of Shawn Achor's 'The Happiness Advantage', this book can change the way you look at success and the path you take to achieve it.

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This book was WAY more beneficial than I initially thought it would be when I started reading it. So hang in there if you feel it will be too generic in the beginning! I was shocked at how helpful all the productivity activities and tips the author gave. They are all concrete, easy to do steps with clear results. And the kicker is, it’s not about needing more discipline or working harder like most people think. It’s about finding joy in what you’re doing and experimenting to see what works for you and your life. And believe it or not, the author makes it sound fun! Imagine that. I’ve never looked at increasing productivity as a fun thing, but with this book we can learn how to do just that. The examples and experiments the author gives are fantastic. I flew through this book and enjoyed every second of it. It is not tedious or boring in any way. I can’t wait to start putting the ideas to good use and finding what works for me.

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I am a long time follower of the author on his YouTube channels, when he first started them. It was such an honor to get to read this book early. If you feel like you're not really productive just focus filled with great ideas and tips. They seem to be very similar to what he has posted on YouTube and on his skillshare class. There's some bonus extras in there and it just reads exactly how Ali talks. It Great to be able to take my favorite tips and highlight them to go back to. Being productive writing this today instead of putting it off It was on my productive today list. This book helps with procrastination so much.

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This was a very refreshing productivity book! Ali Abdaal's take on motivation and personal discipline is interesting, well explained, and above all - science-based, which is more than I can say for a lot of self-help books out there. I had a lot of fun reading this, learned quite a bit (and I've read a LOT of that kind of book), and thoroughly enjoyed this book!

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Research based but not personable like the author

I have been reading this book for a while now and it is engaging, reminds me of the lectures from my intro to psychology classes at university, and for some reason other than the introduction so far doesn’t seem to have Ali’s voice. I know that he wrote it, but it seems like study after study is presented with little from his own perspective in between the research he shares. I wanted more of his insight. The publisher is Celadon Books, and the advanced version was available from NetGalley. My opinion is my own.

I will be using the concepts to improve my health and am updating my rating from a neutral 3 points to a more useful score of 4.

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Currently, I find myself unable to finish this book. The opening chapters are quite dense, making it a challenging read. Unfortunately, these sections lack those enlightening 'aha' moments that often redeem a complex narrative. This is a common issue I've encountered with self-help books, where the content tends to reiterate familiar concepts without offering fresh insights. Specifically, in the domain of productivity literature, this book doesn't stand out; it treads over ground well-covered by others without adding anything notably new or innovative. While I always approach a new book with optimism, hoping to uncover unique ideas or strategies, this one fell short of my expectations.

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I would love to interview Ali on my podcast, Raise Your Words in April. Feel-Good Productivity is the perfect book to give anyone who is in high school or older. It has a lot of practical tips that people can use in their daily lives.

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This work feels relatively coherent and relatable, although it's not necessarily revolutionary or groundbreaking. Some of the topics feel more like a repackaging of other advice found online - which makes sense, as Abdaal is an online creator and influencer. All in all, a fine work for people new to the productivity and self-help world.

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As someone who reads quite a bit of personal development, I found Feel-Good Productivity and Ali Abdaal’s take on productivity refreshing.

I wasn’t familiar with Abdaal prior to picking up his book, but I’ll definitely be checking out his YouTube channel after finishing it.

Abdaal talks about productivity from multiple perspectives, sharing strategies for moving through procrastination and avoidance effectively—and sharing research to back up his advice—while also helping the reader to evaluate priorities rather than simply being productive for productivity’s sake. That’s where the “feel-good” element comes in. Too often we spend so much time pursuing goals we don’t really care about and then avoiding the actions to get there.

Abdaal encourages readers to choose goals they feel good about and then helps them figure out how to get there with actionable strategies that work.

If you’re someone who tends to set big goals and then lose momentum or who finds yourself procrastinating even the things you truly desire to accomplish, then this book is for you. It’s one of the best productivity books I’ve read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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"Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You" by Ali Abdaal is a refreshing and insightful guide to redefining productivity through the lens of joy. Dr. Abdaal, a renowned productivity expert, challenges the conventional wisdom that success is solely achieved through relentless hard work, introducing readers to a revolutionary concept that emphasizes the importance of feeling good in the pursuit of one's goals.

The book draws on decades of psychological research to uncover the three hidden 'energisers' that contribute to enjoyable productivity. Dr. Abdaal also addresses the three 'blockers' that hinder progress and lead to procrastination, as well as the three 'sustainers' crucial for preventing burnout and achieving lasting fulfillment. This structured approach provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the elements that shape their productivity and overall well-being.

One of the strengths of the book lies in Dr. Abdaal's ability to blend scientific insights with practical advice. The stories of founders, Olympians, and Nobel-winning scientists serve as inspiring examples of individuals who have successfully embodied the principles of feel-good productivity. The book is not just a theoretical exploration; it is a guide filled with actionable changes that readers can implement immediately to enhance their productivity and satisfaction in life.

The writing style is clear, engaging, and accessible, making complex psychological concepts relatable to a broad audience. Dr. Abdaal's conversational tone adds a personal touch to the book, creating a connection with the reader as they navigate the transformative journey towards a more joyful and fulfilling life.

"Feel-Good Productivity" stands out as a positive and uplifting read that challenges the traditional narrative around productivity. By emphasizing joy as a key driver of success, Dr. Ali Abdaal provides a fresh perspective that resonates with those seeking a healthier and more balanced approach to achieving their goals. Readers armed with the insights from this book are not only likely to accomplish more but also to experience increased happiness and fulfillment along the way. For anyone looking to redefine their relationship with productivity and success, this book is a valuable and empowering resource, deserving of a four-star rating.

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A helpful book from a likable author. Unlike many others, I was unfamiliar with the author and had few expectations going in. I found this slow to start but it grew on me. I appreciated that the author referenced studies and science to back up his suggestions. He also shared some ways that strategies have been effective in his own life.

This has more actionable suggestions than many other books of its genre, which is great.

I can see doing a book talk about this as part of a series, alongside Atomic Habits and a couple others.

Thank you NetGalley and LibroFM for the ARC. I will purchase for my library.

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I saw this book profiled in Red Magazine, I had to read more. I appreciate that this book has so many actionable steps. The eight types of play personalities were interesting and I saw many applications for supporting the artists and teachers in my life. A book that truly helps one move forward comfortably through life instead of rushed.

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This philosophy of making our work feel good is what Dr. Ali Abdaal’s new book is all about. I found this book wonderfully satisfying.

Abdaal says,

“Put simply: success doesn’t lead to feeling good. Feeling good leads to success.”

He organizes the book into three neat categories: Energizers, Unblockers, and Sustainers. Each category is further subdivided into three more categories with practical experiments in each.

The book is full of many experiments, interesting anecdotes, and helpful insights. I highly recommend it to productivity junkies like me as well as those who rarely read this genre. Abdaal doesn’t claim that every experiment here is a new one, but the way he organizes them is new, effective, and most importantly, feels good.

Everyone will find helpful tools for themselves in this book.

My thanks to NetGalley for the review copy of Feel-Good Productivity.

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As a long time follower of Ali I had high hopes for this book. He gives great book reviews and especially poignant content. I'm not sure what exactly this books intentions were but it was good as I expected but nothing I didn't expect from having watched Ali's other content for quite some time. It was good well reasoned advice but felt moreso like an anthology of advice collected elsewhere and compiled here.Maybe I'm not the intended audience but I didn't find anything "pivotal" or groundbreaking here.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to read this book.

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Nice read, gets my 4 stars.

What got my attention the most was the part were the author often imagine their existence as being made up of several side projects. They ask themselves, "What's today's side quest going to be?" when they look at their schedule and to-do list each day. This question helps them change their focus from the apparent duties that lay ahead to the possible detours they may take them down. You may make time in your day for curiosity, play, and discovery by including a side mission. You never know what fantastic and surprising things you could find along the route. It's a recommendation for anyone. Thumbs up to the author

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