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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.