Well-written and useful, but it feels like an amalgamation of tried-and-true self-help productivity tips. Not adding really anything new.

I like that Ali's take on productivity comes from a place of positivity and encouragement. A lot of practical tips without a ton of babble. Well done!

Ali Abdaal is an ex-doctor who became a proliferant YouTuber, Podcaster, entrepreneur, and author of the self-help book Feel Good Productivity. Abdaal began gaining an interest in true, attainable productivity when he was in medical training at Cambridge University while also trying to juggling his own business. He began sharing what he learned about productivity on YouTube, then on podcasts, and finally accumulating everything in this book.

In essence, Abdaal has uncovered that the secret to staying productive is feeling good. If what you’re doing feels good to do, then you are more likely to do it. Simple as that!

The book itself is very well organized and enjoyable to read, proving its own point that if you enjoy doing something, it’s much easier to accomplish - making this book a quick read for me. There are three categories that Abdaal covers, each of which are broken down into three items as well. The first category is “energizers” - the things that make activities enjoyable. The second is “blockers” - the obstacles that stand in the ways of us being productive. And the third category is “sustainers” - the things that keep you motivated.

The thorough breakdown is combined with real-life stories for examples and actionable steps that you can immediately take in your own life. I found his methods to be a fresh take on the topic of productivity, focusing on how what you’re doing makes you feel and how to make yourself feel better about doing that you want/need to do, rather than forcing a narrative about hustle and grind. One of the best productivity-related self-improvement books I’ve read.

Omg, if you are going to read one self help book this year choose this one! It was everything and more. I loved it so much I had to get the audio as well so that I could replay parts while driving. It is a great way to stay positive throughout the day.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This was a fun productivity book, but nothing too revolutionary & sometimes that's just what you need. Little things to make your life better

As someone who wants to be productive all the time, this book really hit home for me. It's full of practical tips and tricks that I plan to use both at home and at work!

This book gave a lot of practical productivity tips. I love love reading about this topic and plan to implement some of these concepts.

I've read and watched a lot of different things about productivity and even went through one-on-one productivity training with an industry expert at a past job. This book still managed to present new information in an engaging way that I LOVED! Because I normally prefer fiction and often don't complete non-fiction books because I lose interest or my brain is just tired at the end of the day and I want to relax with fiction, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I love how Ali doesn't just write about the science and talk at you. He takes that information, turns it into a practical application you can experiment to find productivity that works and feels good for you.

This book is well-researched, well-written, and presents unconventional information so you don't feel like you're reading the same old productivity tips that you've heard a million times before. Plus, if any of the tips are ones you're familiar with, they come with some cool science to explain them on a deeper level than just the surface-level that most productivity tips exist on. I will recommend this book over all other productivity books for anyone wanting to explore that area.

Thank you for the opportunity to review - this was a very interesting read and gave me a lot of good material to do deeper research and use as conversation starters for improvement meetings at work.

This book felt very repetitive. By the time I was done, I felt like I had re-read the same "helpful tricks" several times over. The book sites other books that I've already read and it didn't really feel like it provided much "new" information to me. This book would be much better appreciated by someone who hasn't already read a lot of productivity books or read several articles/blogs on the topic.

Feel Good Productivity is an engaging book that I believe is incredibly important for many to read, especially in America. We are so focused on productivity for the companies that we work for that we don't stop to take a second for those that we don't. When are we productive about something we care about? We can and SHOULD focus more on the things that make us happy rather than just what makes us productive.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced copy of this book! I thoroughly enjoyed Abdaal's attention to various psychology studies. As a psychology nerd myself, I appreciated the depth and insight, though I understand that some readers might feel the evidence isn't robust enough. Personally, I found it an uplifting reminder to embrace positivity in all aspects of my life!!

One of my favorite parts was the "side-quest" suggestion, it was fun thinking about "main character" energy. Also loved the principle of considering whether something will matter in 10 minutes, 10 months, or 10 years - that chapter was my favorite - very "live in the moment" focused. The concepts were both thought-provoking and practical. Adbaal does a nice job not pressuring the reader into certain methods, it's a good "take what works and leave the rest" message.

Overall, this book is an excellent complement to one of my other favorite positive psychology books, "The Happiness Advantage" by Shawn Achor. Both works support each other’s ideas well. I highly recommend!

Ali Abdaal goes through a thorough overview of the myths around productivity, challenging how we may approach it to reframe it towards sustainable productivity that fills ones cup instead of depleting it as we so often see in capitalist, extreme productivity-focused society. It was an enjoyable read that got me out of inertia and towards more mindfully considering how to approach what I wanted to accomplish. Wonderful read!

One thing that is easy to feel lately is UNPRODUCTIVE. So as soon as I saw the title of this book, I pounced on the opportunity to read it.

And I really liked a lot of the theories and psychological studies that it covers. Unlike a lot of self help books, this one is immediately interesting, so it's very easy to just keep reading it. It never gets too heavy on the science or philosophy, so it feels like an actual human is speaking to you. I've already bought a physical copy of it so I can highlight and dog ear.

Good to see a book on improving productivity that doesn’t shame the reader but instead provides practical strategies for getting better.

I am always looking for unique self help style books and was excited for an advanced copy of “Feel-Good Productivity”. While it isn’t earth shattering , I felt it was short and palatable. The concepts are explained well but it was pretty basic.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Released December 2023.

To physician-turned-content creator Ali Abdaal, productivity isn’t simply a numbers game. It’s about how you feel. And there’s research to back up the theory; people are more motivated when they care about what they’re doing every day. What’s more, they report less stress, boosted energy, and improved satisfaction with life as a whole. Over the course of Feel-Good Productivity, readers learn how to discover what drives them, break down barriers in their way, and address any burnout they may feel.

When I read self-help books, I try to ask myself whether the content presents actionable steps that can be applied to people across age groups and socioeconomic strata. Feel-Good Productivity provides multiple caveats that not all tips will apply to everyone, saying instead that people can pick and choose what they want to add to their “toolkit”. I think that was a fair characterization of the book’s content. For example, the “power” chapter can be useful for giving self-efficacy to those prone to impostor syndrome but does not seem to be as applicable to those working jobs where they don’t have control over goals or processes. The “clarity” chapter offers some guidance on project management but may not apply to those who don’t set the to-do lists at home or at work. The “align” chapter provides excellent insight into how to hone in on what you want to be doing with your time and energy, but it may feel out of reach for anyone who works long hours and feels stretched thin just trying to make ends meet. When it comes to having meaningful take-aways from this book, it’s more of a “your-mileage-may-vary” situation.

Abdaal does his best to make the content relatable and engaging for his readership (at times using pop culture/nerdy references like WoW or Pirates of the Caribbean), and there’s nothing technically “wrong” with his writing. Nevertheless, I found it difficult to organize my thoughts as I was reading, only feeling like I returned to some semblance of order by the summary page at the end of the chapter. If the introductory paragraphs for each chapter included more detailed guidance to what the reader will learn going into each topic (rather than just the introductions to each “section”), I think I would have felt more “on track” as I went. Abdaal emphasizes that he doesn’t want the reader to treat Feel-Good Productivity like a workbook or an assignment list, encouraging readers to “experiment” their way through the pages instead. I get that, but I also feel like my retention of the material suffered as a result.

I did like the recommendation to swap from SMART (Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Relevant, Timely) goals to NICE (Near-term, Input-based, Controllable, Energizing) goals, and I plan to use this going forward to prevent from getting overwhelmed on larger projects. I also really liked the Life Wheel and Three Alignment exercises from the last chapter - I think almost everyone, from any walk of life, would find those practices to be useful.

In all, Feel-Good Productivity presents some well-researched ideas in opposition to the grind/hustle culture that tends to saturate the self-help market. Those who find themselves feeling stuck, disconnected, or burned out will find generally useful advice presented in a friendly, non-judgmental tone. I can’t say that’s a bad thing, even if the book wasn’t a slam dunk for me personally.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Ali Abdaal, and Celadon Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

"Feel Good Productivity" by Ali Abdaal is a refreshing take on productivity that emphasizes holistic well-being and personal fulfillment. Abdaal presents a compelling argument that traditional notions of productivity often neglect the importance of mental health and happiness. Instead, he advocates for a more balanced approach that prioritizes doing what truly matters and brings joy.

One of the book's standout features is its practicality. Abdaal offers actionable strategies and exercises designed to help identify core values, set meaningful goals, and align daily actions with long-term aspirations. Through reading this book, I found several practice strategies to think about my long-term goals and assign daily goals that are helping to move the needle close to achieving those long-term goals.

I read a lot of productivity books. To me, what sets "Feel Good Productivity" apart are the personal
anecdotes and insights from his own journey, making it relatable and engaging. His conversational writing style and down-to-earth approach make complex concepts easy to grasp, making it really accessible. I also found it's not just about getting more done for Abdaal. It's about living a more purpose-driven life. Whether you're a student, professional, or entrepreneur, this book offers valuable insights and practical advice for finding greater joy and satisfaction in your everyday pursuits.

Overall, "Feel Good Productivity" is a must-read for anyone looking to redefine their relationship with productivity and unlock their true potential. It's a timely reminder that success is not just about what we achieve, but how we feel along the way.

Thank you NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy....I'll be keeping an eye on Abdaal and his next book!

More of what I enjoyed from Ali Abdaal’s YouTube channel, but in book form and much more in depth. I liked the sections / how the book was divided up and really enjoyed the personal examples!

I decided to read Feel Good Productivity because I have read a lot of self help books, lol, and never feel more productive. I figured one more wouldn't hurt. I did really like the book and plan to apply some of the tips to my own life. It seems obvious that productivity would make you feel good but sometimes we can't see beyond our own nose.

Thanks to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my opinion.