Feel-Good Productivity

October 9, 2023
Medical doctor-turned-YouTuber Abdaal debuts with an energetic guide to “feel-good productivity,” a practice that promises “success doesn’t lead to feeling good. Feeling good leads to success.” According to the author, positive feelings boost energy and reduce stress, fostering creative thinking, motivation, and inspiration “to pursue our goals.” Such feelings can be achieved through relatively simple interventions; for instance, Abdaal used the prompt “What would this look like if it were fun?” to make studying for postgraduate medical exams more interesting (his solution was listening to music). Readers can harness the power of positivity by asking, “What would it look like if I were really confident at this?” before starting a task (“simply by becoming your own hype team you can dramatically impact your own productivity”) and capitalizing on “energizing distractions” that “forc us to pause, reflect, and tak things at a more reasonable pace,” such as going for a walk in the park or having dinner with a friend. Lucidly written and grounded in persuasive research studies (e.g., cyclists who were given a motivational speech the night before a ride had more stamina than those who weren’t), this presents a wise alternative to a “hustle-harder” culture in which success requires suffering. Abdaal’s solid insights on confidence, motivation, and creativity inspire.

December 1, 2023
As a junior doctor in England, Abdaal felt as if he were drowning. There were always too many demands and too little time, and working harder didn't seem to get him anywhere. To find a solution, Abdaal began digging into notes from his medical school psychology classes and exploring studies on productivity. He breaks his findings down into three parts: energize, unblock, and sustain. The author finds, firstly, that people are energized (and thus more productive) when they find fun in their work, have some control over its outcome, and are surrounded by positive people. He encourages readers to consider what motivates their work and provides techniques such as role playing to help them figure it out. Abdaal suggests ways to conserve energy and outwit procrastination by aligning actions and goals with values. He uses a friendly, readable tone to relay findings from studies and experts and to guide the reader with practical and thought-provoking tips. Readers overwhelmed by their daily routines will find comfort, inspiration, and a game plan.

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