Cover Image: Feel-Good Productivity

Feel-Good Productivity

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Member Reviews

Clear, compelling, useful action items. I definitely feel like I need more play in my life, and it makes sense that feeling good boosts energy, leading to success. Makes me wanna try a new approach when things are difficult. Especially resonant - leaning into curiosity. Thanks for the ARC!

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Rounding up from 2.5 stars. I really wanted to love this, as I've followed Ali Abdaal's youtube channel for quite a while and have always enjoyed his content. But, this fell flat for me. I wouldn't call anything in here "revolutionary", as many of the studies have been used in multiple other books (I think I've read the study about post-op gallbladder patients who look at a brick wall versus greenery in about 5 different books now. It's a great study, but I think most people know about it now -- its a study from the early 80s). He also draws on the "wheel of life", which is also well known.

All the information in this book is great, and it would be a good first book for someone who hasn't ever explored this content previously. It's a quick read (I read it in one day). But, for anyone who follows his channel already, has read other books in the genre, follows productivity instagrammers, or listened to any podcasts, unfortunately there isn't anything new here.

That said, the diagrams in the e-book could be useful for a quick glance, and some of the exercises could be helpful, and he does a good job of making the content accessible. And it is rooted in evidence/research, which is why I gave it an extra star (a lot of other books in this genre rely purely on anecdotes, so this is above average in that regard).

But overall, unfortunately this was a miss for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the reader/listener copy.

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Real-world advice and workthroughs that anyone should find useful. Great advice from someone who has tried a lot of options.

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This book was a quick read and full of some new information and insights l. It was such an easy read filled with the authors life lessons which made it a more personable read. I enjoyed this read.

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This book on productivity is not like any other that I have read. Despite the name "Feel-Good Productivity," it is not about doing just the things that you like. This book is about structuring your tasks and time and doing it in a way that makes it a joy.

Ali outlines several experiments you can use daily to gain the most out of what you are trying to accomplish. Solidly written, it is easy to read and digest. Each chapter is broken into sections, and each section contains a different focus so that you can find exactly what you need to apply to your productivity issue. I took copious notes and plan to refer to this text often. It is the best-written work about productivity that I have read in a long time.

This book is written for any audience, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking to up their game in work, parenting, or any other endeavor they are involved in.

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I have been a follower of Ali on YouTube for a long time. What makes him stand out from other YouTubers is his transparency and his clear, straightforward way of explaining things. He's a natural teacher with a warm spirit that shines in his videos. So did it translate to his book?
Definitely.
It doesn't make promises it can't keep. It's about making work fun so you can do more of it, and the right kind of it. Ali walks you through the science and stories that make making fun a priority, and I loved it.
The stories hit, particularly the ones from his own life. I truly liked it, and frankly, I've been burnt on a lot of self-help, and his is a shining exception.
Thank you, Ali, for always being a shining gem in the area of personal development!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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I am always looking for tips on increasing my productivity.The tips in this book are super practical and easy to start using in your everyday life, whether you're studying, working, or just trying to get more organized. I was able to get actionable steps on ways to change my thinking so I can be more productive. Highly recommend!

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There have been many books published on the subject of productivity. It is something all of us want more of at some point in our lives .Ali Abdaal's Feel-Good Productivity offers a comprehensive look at the body of research on the subject combined with actionable strategies we can implement. His book adds another layer of dimension to productivity, focusing on doing more of what matters, not just doing more. It is formatted in sections that are quick and easy to read, and also easy to come back to. There are icons that indicate important ideas, or experiments for your to try, as well as summaries at the end of each chapter.

The book itself is broken into 3 parts: Energise, Unblock and Sustain. The first part focuses on what external elements you can incorporate into your life and the workplace to boost productivity. The second part describes different forces that can block our productivity and how to overcome them. And the third section looks at ways to sustain productivity so that it becomes a normal and permanent part of our lifestyles. Throughout the book, he shares his own experience of going through medical school, becoming a doctor, and then leaving the field to pursue his passion project, and the burnout and lack of productivity he faced. This sharing of his own experience is the perfect backdrop for us to get to know, and trust the author and his advice.

While I found the book to be mainly a collection of studies and research from other people, and his own insights more common sense, I appreciated having everything summed up in one place. I will be returning to the book when I find myself stuck or in need of inspiration, as many of the ideas presented are practical and impactful.

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This book is like The Happiness Project, Atomic Habits, and How to Break Up With Your Phone all in one. It is chock full of practical tips, interesting examples, and scientific studies to help make improvements in productivity at work and home. The section on burnout was very enlightening.
Read it with a highlighter!
Thank you NetGalley for advance copy

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I received a cope for a fair and honest review
I love to read books on productivity, reducing stress, success, and happiness. .This book seemed to touch on them all in stories. Gentle reminders to try to find some joy in what we must do and if possible avoid what we don't. Reframing our thinking can change everything in our daily lives. This is nothing new and yet most of us don't use these techniques.
I found the burnout section to be the most inspiring. Gods the level of burnout I feel, the world feels is overwhelming. There are some very helpful tips here and some unrealistic ones for most of us.
Overall this is not a ground breaking new exploration in the field, but it was a nice cumulation of them in one place.
I did know this author before reading this book. I was surprised to learn he was a youtube personality. I may check out his channel.

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Many thought provoking exercises to dig into what brings you energy and joy and using those to make you more productive. I will be returning to the exercises often.

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Ali Abdaal is the author and creative genius behind his seminal publication Feel-Good Productivity. If you haven’t heard of Ali Abdaal – where have you been? He is much more than an author: he is an Internet phenomenon. I was first introduced to Abdaal’s work when he was hosting his early YouTube Channel. Since those humble beginnings, Abdaal has qualified top in his class in his doctoral program at Oxford University and earned a degree in psychology in concert with growing his YouTube Channel to millions of subscribers. He has become the svengali of all matters of productivity. His metamorphosis has been admirable, and in “Feel-Good Productivity,” he shares the short-cut route you can take to reach your goals while enjoying every minute of the improvement process. Abdaal has distilled the most essential steps to take your creativity to the next level. The book is concise, entertaining, and informative in equal measure. Most of all, it is a practical guide that anyone could use in their own life and discover how much easier it could be to enhance your workflow. Why work harder when you can work less, have fun, and get smarter simultaneously?

“Feel-Good Productivity” is a short read in a concentrated form. It is funny, engaging, and remarkably inspirational. You will return repeatedly to read through the gems of information that will forward your life improvement plans.

Read “Feel-Good Productivity” if for no other reason than it is engaging and practical. Where other publications slog along with titbits of information here and their often ill-conceived or poorly delivered “Feel-Good Productivity” is concise and remains that way throughout. There is no wasted language, and the book is thoroughly thought through and equally well delivered.

Did I mention that “Feel-Good Productivity” is also a fun read?

Overall, “Feel-Good Productivity” is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their productivity without sacrificing well-being. It’s a thoughtful, well-researched, and genuinely helpful book that goes beyond the typical productivity advice, offering a more balanced and fulfilling approach to work and life.

I unreservedly highly recommend this energizing, thought-provoking dive into a better way to enhance your proficiency and your every endeavor. Get “Feel-Good Productivity” today and move your moxie up to the next level.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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I follows Ali on tiktok so i was so excited when he came out with his own book. This is an easy approach to being productive. This is something I know i will come back to time and time again to review and refresh. I also read this with my husband who has adhd and it was huge for him. He is actually more productive at home with household responsibilities. this was perfect and i’ll for sure recommend this book.

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I think this book was a fantastic nonfiction read, as a predominantly fiction reader. I found the writing engaging and kept my attention. I think this book really stands out as one that I"ll come back to in the future because it really provided different advice and context than you normally read around productivity. Firstly, it focuses around the idea of "feel-good productivity" because people naturally perform better and are more productive when they feel good, and most of the book digs into ways that you can find joy and that "feel-good" atmosphere in your work that can set you up for success. I thought it had a really fresh perspective on a topic that is written about a LOT and where you tend to see the same advice, which I really appreciated and highly recommend!

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I recently came across a book that really struck a chord with me. It's an excellent resource that neatly pulls together essential productivity ideas, making it a fantastic starting point for anyone new to the whole efficiency game. If you've been around the block and have read your fair share of similar books, some of the themes might feel familiar. But what sets this one apart is its fresh take on 'feel-good productivity'—a concept that, while it nods to past works, brings something new to the table. I do feel that it could be far shorter though.

As someone who's always approached productivity with a bit of a scientific curiosity, I really appreciated the new terminology and the way Ali has managed to transfer the essence of his popular YouTube content into a book that's both insightful and easy to digest. It's a great mix of tried-and-tested wisdom with a new, more upbeat approach to getting things done, making it a worthwhile read for anyone looking to shake up their productivity routine.

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"Don't rote-learn your way to feel-good productivity. Experiment your way." That quote sums up the core message of this book. It is less of a manual of steps to take, and more of friendly nudge to trust your intuition and the things that bring you joy. I believe that many people will take this message and get something beautiful out of it. Embracing experimentation on your journey to productivity is key, and Abdaal highlights numerous to do this - whether it be visualizations exercises or testing out methods in your real life. I enjoyed this book so much and hope it finds the audience it deserves. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read and review it!

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I liked the idea of the book and the practical exercises would be great if didn’t go off on tangents. I am not going to kid you he put a lot of research into this book but it’s not nearly enough practical exercises. I just couldn’t get into it. I read it for an hour straight and it’s just mostly his life backstory and research. I can read medical journals or medical biographies for that. I want to more productive and I thought this would help me out but unfortunately it didn’t.

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Feel-Good Productivity talks about how we can become more productive if we truly enjoy what we do. Abdaal breaks down how motivation works and how to hack it to find meaning in everything we do, and drop everything we think we have to do but it's ultimately driving us to burnout. I liked how the author presents a lot of psychological studies and explains them in simple ways that are easy to understand. I think this would be a great audiobook. Useful advice and easy to follow techniques.

Thank you netgalley and the publishers for the e-ARC.

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I enjoyed the concept of this book…feeling good and being productive…sign me up! Author emphasizes that if we feel good and are in a positive mood, that we tend to consider a broader range of actions and are more open to new experiences. The author talked about “flipping the confidence switch” - essentially pretending or acting as though you are confident in what you are doing, even if you aren’t, and the benefits of doing so. I enjoyed the knowledge of tracking your progress, scheduling in time for fun and for nothing, and emphasizing doing less. Overall this had good surface level information about how to be happier and productive in your life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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I loved everything about this book! Feel-Good Productivity offers just that. A way to be more productive and actually enjoy it, instead of it being a grind or chore.

Each section and chapter gave easy to implement strategies well laid out to make learning and growing fun. Highly recommend this book to any entrepreneur and anyone who wants more out of life without burnout.

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