Book #2 Blog post 3/28/2025

 

I selected Feel-Good Productivity, How to Do More of What Matters to You by Ali Abdaal. Ali is a doctor with a Cambridge education who is now a productivity expert and content developer. I chose this book because, as a student who is continuously balancing deadlines, obligations, and career planning, I've always been interested in finding better ways to be productive without burning out. I wanted to know if a book about "feeling good" would be useful in real life or if it would only be superficial motivation. To my astonishment, it was well-considered, thoroughly researched, and packed with practical advice that contradicted many of my preconceived notions about completing tasks.


Productivity is divided into three categories in the book: energize, unblock, and sustain. My favorite part of Abdaal's argument was that productivity is about enjoying what you do, not just about time management or discipline. He illustrates how having fun and feeling fulfilled can genuinely boost productivity using real-world examples, such as tales from entrepreneurs and Nobel Prize winners. The positive, It's realistic, upbeat, and incredibly relatable. The negative, a few concepts may not seem entirely novel to you if you're already well-versed in self-help literature, and other sections feel a little repetitious. Applying his ideas in more rigorous or high-pressure settings can be difficult because many workplaces still don't respect this feel-good approach.


All things considered, I would suggest Feel-Good Productivity, particularly to those who feel like they are working nonstop without truly enjoying the process. It's a helpful reminder that success doesn't have to come at the expense of your wellbeing, even though it's not a one-size-fits-all plan. The most important lesson I learned is that productivity should feel exhilarating rather than draining. That small change in perspective could have a drastic impact on how society views work in general as well as on individuals.




Comments

  1. AjayMarch 31, 2025 at 6:08 PM

    Hi Charlie, I like how you balanced your praise with constructive notes, like how parts of the book might feel repetitive to seasoned readers. That made your recommendation feel more grounded and realistic. You’ve made a strong case for why this book is worth picking up,especially for people like me who are trying to move away from the burnout cycle and toward a healthier work mindset.

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  2. Jake PataoApril 4, 2025 at 1:33 PM

    Hey Charlie, great review! I know of Ali from his content in the past and felt that it makes sense for him to write something like this and it seems like there's a lot to take away from it! The three categories as you describe seem like a great way to reframe productivity. I might give it a read sometime soon to help myself as it seems like it has provided you a lot of value!

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